Paris boasts twenty cemeteries. Fourteen are within the city limits. Six lie in neighboring towns. Cimetière d’Ormoy is one of these twenty. It’s a place of quiet reflection. Families gather there daily for funerals. Respect is key. No picnics or leisure activities are allowed. Remember this as we explore.
The history of Parisian cemeteries is fascinating. People were buried near churches. Overcrowding and unsanitary conditions led to change. In the late 18th century smaller cemeteries were closed. The large cemetery of the Innocents was also closed. Its remains were moved to the catacombs. Three large necropolises were created outside the city. Père-Lachaise in 1804. Montparnasse in 1824. Montmartre in 1825.
In 1860 Paris expanded. The three large cemeteries were incorporated. Twelve smaller village cemeteries joined them. More small cemeteries were opened between 1860 and 1929. Paris’s growing population demanded more space. Large cemeteries were built outside the city walls. These are the five extra-muros cemeteries we know today. They are located in Saint-Ouen Pantin Ivry Bagneux and Thiais.
Interestingly some Parisian cemeteries don’t belong to the city. The communal cemeteries of Gentilly and Montrouge are examples. These are not part of the city’s official cemetery system. Their management and upkeep are independent affairs. This might be news to you.
Plots in Parisian cemeteries are privately owned. They become public property only after their term expires. Or if the owner abandons them completely. The city actively conserves and restores important tombs. Some burial monuments are historically culturally or architecturally significant. They are protected as historical monuments. The city’s commitment to its cemetery heritage is impressive.
Parisian cemeteries are also havens of biodiversity. They offer varied landscapes. Multiple tree and shrub species thrive there. Each cemetery has unique features. Pantin is France’s largest cemetery. Thiais boasts 1930s architecture and a French-style park. Bagneux has lush vegetation attracting many birds and squirrels. Cimetière d’Ormoy too is likely full of surprises. Think of the varied wildlife finding refuge in these peaceful green spaces. Consider the vibrant ecosystem coexisting with the city’s history. Paris’s cemeteries are far more than just burial grounds. They are living breathing landscapes.