“Je ne pars pas j’arrive” This simple epitaph greets you at Cimetière Saint-Antoine de Ginestière. It’s a poignant phrase a fitting summary for this hillside cemetery perched above Cannes. It’s a place of quiet contemplation a serene space despite its urban proximity.
The Cimetière Saint-Antoine de Ginestière is more than just a resting place. It’s a historical record etched in stone and marble. It expands across terraces offering glimpses of the Mediterranean. Its humble origins center around a simple cross. Over time it has grown its boundaries extending further down the slope. Today you find numerous narrow terraces where tombs face each other. The cemetery continues to expand. It’s a testament to the enduring community it serves.
Among those buried here is the remarkable Gaby Morlay. This once-famous French actress graced stage and screen for fifty years. Her career spanned the silent film era to the rise of the talkies. She worked alongside greats like Sacha Guitry. She even obtained a pilot’s license for dirigibles in 1919. Stories tell of her speeding around Cimiez in her small car. She was known for her daring driving her hair flying in the wind. Yet this star preferred a quiet life. She shunned interviews. She refused to publish her memoirs. Her epitaph reflects this understated grace.
Even today the Lantery-Dubois family chapel stands. It’s a venerable structure however it faces the risk of demolition due to its dilapidated condition. Time marches on. Even grand monuments eventually succumb.
The cemetery holds other notable figures. General Félix Verani Masin de Châteauneuf rests here. Two of his grandsons died in World War I. Father Jean Terseur de Lagramourey also lies here. He was the curate of Saint-Antoine for twenty years. He later became the chaplain of Monaco’s cathedral.
The Italian influence is evident. You’ll find funerary sculptures. Two similar figures a young girl and a child adorn the Bellon and Monge tombs. They’re representative of the 1920s and 1930s.
Many epitaphs are captivating. One is a translated excerpt from Keats’ work. Another is a personal declaration of love for a departed husband. It mentions their life together their travels in Africa. A simple “Sois tranquille” offers peace and rest. Another brief inscription in Greek speaks of “Ananké” necessity or fate.
The Cimetière Saint-Antoine de Ginestière is a place where you can pause reflect and ponder life’s journey. It’s a beautiful blend of history art and human experience. A quiet corner of Cannes holding stories untold. Take your time. Let the serenity wash over you. Remember that even in death life continues.