First opened in 1824, Montparnasse cemetery sits on a site that was once occupied by three farms, in what was then a rural, sleepy corner in the city of Paris. Home to the graves of famous denizens such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Samuel Beckett (who spent his last years residing in a nearby neighborhood), American writer, artist, and critic Susan Sontag, and the French short fiction master Guy de Maupassant, this verdant haven in the city's southern 14th arrondissement offers a nice break away from the big-city hustle and bustle.


It's also one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Paris, and the second-largest municipal place of rest after the massive (and impressive) Père-Lachaise. 

Location and Contact Info:

The Cemetery is located in Paris' 14th arrondissement, around 20 minutes south from the city center at Chatelet-les-Halles by metro (or a 30-40 minute walk). 

• Address/Main entrance: 3 Boulevard Edgar Quinet (leading to the larger cemetery. There is an additional entrance on Rue Émile Richard (leading to both the large and small cemeteries)
• Metro: Montparnasse or Edgar Quinet 
• Tel:  +33 1 44 10 86 50

Opening Days and Hours:

During high season (generally April to October), the cemetery is open daily from around 8:00am to 6:00 pm During low season, it opens from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. Visitors are ushered out 15 minutes before closing time. 

The cemetery is open on many French public holidays, including New Year's Day, Easter Sunday and Monday, Bastille Day (July 14th), Toussaint/All Saints' Day (November 1st), November 11th (Armistice Day), and Christmas Day.

Dogs are not allowed in the cemetery. Photography is permitted. 

Sights and Attractions Nearby:

Take the opportunity to explore some of the vibrant neighborhoods in south Paris and its frequently underrated attractions. These include some of the following: 

• Paris Catacombs
• Montparnasse Tower (for fantastic panoramic views of the city)
• Rue Daguerre (charming market street/quarter)
• Fondation Cartier (Contemporary Arts Museum)
• Fondation Henri Cartier Bresson (photography)
• Parc Montsouris (a lovely Romantic-style park)
• Cite Universitaire (gorgeous university housing campus)

Key Facts about the Cemetery:

• Along with the three other main municipal cemeteries, Montparnasse opened in 1824 for hygiene reasons. The historic Cimetiere des Innocents had been deemed a health hazard, and the remains of some two million Parisians were exhumed and transferred to the catacombs. (Read related feature:10 Strange and Disturbing Facts About Paris)
• One section of the Cemetery boasts monuments in tribute to policemen and firefighters who have lost their lives in duty.
• Sections 5 and 30 were originally designated for Jewish graves only. 

Visitor Tips:

• I highly recommend visiting on a sunny day. The light can be fantastic here, and strolling along the green, wide lines that border the graves is a very pleasant way to get away for a bit from the urban grind. 
• Familiarize yourself with the site before your visit and choose a few graves you'd like to visit. 
• Look out for feral and domestic cats hanging out among some of the graves. They seem to appreciate cemeteries as places to sun and get some reliable attention. (Read related:Paris and its oh-so-charming-cats)

A Few Famous Graves:

This cemetery doesn't have as many famous permanent residents as Père-Lachaise, but it counts many luminaries nevertheless, including the following:

• Jean-Paul Sartre (French philosopher and writer)
• Simone de Beauvoir (writer and philosopher, feminist)
• Susan Sontag (American writer, artist, critic)
• Samuel Beckett (Irish writer)
• Guy de Maupassant (French writer)
• Charles Baudelaire (French poet)
• Jean Baudrillard (French philosopher)
• Constantin Brâncu?i (sculptor)
• Brassaï (photographer)
• André Citroën (automobile mogul)
• Marguerite Duras (writer and filmmaker)
• Serge Gainsbourg (musician)
• Eugène Ionesco (playwright)
• Jean Seberg (American actress of "Breathless" fame)
• Chaim Soutine (expressionist painter)