Montparnasse Cemetery, opened on 25 July 1824, is one of the three principal cemeteries of central Paris (the other two being Pere-Lachaise and Montmartre). It was originally one necropolis, but today rue Emile Richard divides it in two.
It makes for an interesting and pleasant stroll along paved walkways, past fountains and sculptures, amongst the 1,200 or so trees, including thuya, maple, ash and lime trees. Since it opened, more than 300,000 people have been buried here; there are more than 35,000 tombs, and around 1,000 burials are carried out each year. Many famous people have been buried here, including Samuel Beckett, Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, Susan Sontag, Guy de Maupassant and Charles Baudelaire.
The cemetery is easily accessible with five metro stations nearby. Many famous people have been buried here over the years. If you want to find specific people there are maps are available to borrow at the entrances, but at busy times there is no guarantee there’ll be any left, so I suggest downloading this guide and taking it with you.
For now, I’ll take you a stroll up and down the quiet paths and show you a few highlights.
When you have seen your fill, I suggest you head to the Montparnasse Tower. It is visible from most points in the cemetery so it’s not hard to get your bearings.
Exit from the northern gate and turn west along boulevard Edgar Quinet and you can’t miss the 210 metre tall tower. Buy your ticket and take the lift to the 56th floor. From the viewing areas here, you can look back down to the cemetery and possibly identify some of the paths you took.
Travel with Intent 
From your last pic, it looks like a pretty big cemetery. Some interesting finds:) Wow, Sartre and de Beauvoir! And I love the cat-mosaic!
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I love exploring old cemeteries in old cities….this one reminds me of a mix between old ones in Philadelphia and New Orleans.
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Two places I haven’t visited yet
On Tue, Apr 7, 2015 at 4:41 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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I’ve heard of this cemetery. One day I should like to take a visit to Paris and to this site too. Lovely series of photos to inspire me.
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Make it a long trip – there is SO much to see and do there (and eat and drink thre)
On Tue, Apr 7, 2015 at 9:41 AM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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Great shots. Even Paris has changed a lot since I last visited over 20 years ago.
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Lovely photos – it’s somewhere I’d really love to visit. I do love Paris and all its individualities…..
Alison x
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I often find cemeteries eerie but this post is quite interesting. I specially appreciated the picture of the mosaic cat.
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This is indeed an impressive cemetery to wander about and the view from the top of the tower makes it look like a village – which in essence I suppose it is for departed souls.
Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday Debbie.
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Oh, marvellous! Montparnasse and Père Lachaise have long been on my list, I still hope to visit!
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I love the sculptures! Thanks for sharing. I’ve been to Pere-Lachaise cemetry very cool.
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I wanted to do this the last time I was in Paris, but no one wanted to go with me. Next time!!
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Oh yes, definitely worth it
On Mon, Apr 6, 2015 at 2:25 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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It looks quite fascinating from above 🙂 This was on my ‘alsos’ list when I was in Paris but there just wasn’t time. Thanks a lot, Debs! Have a happy Monday pottering. 🙂
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Wow, what an impressive cemetary. I would like to stroll around there, reading the cat is cool. Thanks for sharing your visit.. have a happy Monday and week ahead!
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This place is like an outdoor gallery of special art. What an intriguing place to wander, especially with all those famous literary people resting there.
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I do like a stroll around a cemetery. There are some interesting sculptures in here, I especially like that cat 🙂
BTW the link to the guide doesn’t work – I suspect it is trying to link to your own drive.
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Very lovely photos. Wishing you a nice week.
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That’s an impressive cemetery. Great shots. 🙂
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Thanks. It is really like a huge, peaceful park with amazing sculptures
On Mon, Apr 6, 2015 at 10:49 AM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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