Famous cemeteries in Paris: Passy

Passy is a small Parisian cemetery that has an exceptional view over the river Seine, the Trocadero and the Eiffel Tower. Opened in 1820 and situated in the 16th Parisian district, this cemetery is known as the last resting place of many French aristocrats, famous artists, industrialists and politicians. Edouard Manet, a French painter, Fernandel, a famous actor and even the last Emperor of Vietnam were buried here. Among 2,600 graves, some of them are monumental and more than incredible. The Passy Cemetery is definitely worth visiting and especially during the hot summer days when you can have a pleasant walk in the shade of some 290 old chestnut trees. 

The Passy Cemetery, Paris

2 Rue du Commandant Schloesing, 75016 Paris, France

History

At the beginning of the 19th century, several new cemeteries were created in the French capital. After the Père Lachaise, the Montmartre and the Montparnasse cemetery, the Passy Cemetery was opened in 1820 in the west of Paris. The present Passy Cemetery has replaced the old communal cemetery of Passy, closed in 1802. Even if it is really small, this cemetery has quickly become a place where many notable French personalities were buried. This can be explained by the fact that the cemetery was situated just next to the Parisian aristocratic neighbourhoods and near the worldwide famous Avenue des Champs-Elysées. The unique access to this cemetery is a monumental Art deco-style entrance created by a French architect and decorator René-Félix Berger in the 1930s. Also, on the wall of this cemetery is located a monument to the French soldiers fallen in World War I. Inaugurated in 1956, this monument is a work of a French sculptor Paul Landowski.

Famous graves

The Passy Cemetery is the place where many celebrities were buried. That is why the place is often described as a “small but well-visited cemetery”. Here, you can find the last resting places of Jacques Guerlain, a famous French perfume creator, Fernand-Joseph-Desire Contandin, also known as Fernandel, a French actor, singer and movie director, Edouard Manet and his sister-in-law Berthe Morisot, both famous impressionist painters and Bao Dai, the last Emperor of Vietnam. Marie Bashkirtseff, a Russian diarist, painter and sculptor was also buried in 1884 in the Passy Cemetery. Her grave represents a full-size artist studio created by Émile Bastien-Lepage. This monumental grave was listed as a French historical monument.

Practical information

The Passy, one of the most famous cemeteries in Paris, is open every day from mid-March to November, from 8 am to 6 pm and from November to mid-March from 8 am to 5:30 pm. On Saturdays, opening hours are from 8:30 am and on Sundays from 9 am. The entrance to this cemetery is free of charge.