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Cimetière de Passy, Paris, France | |
| The smallest of Paris's four major cemeteries, Passy boasts a number of famous people and a view of the Eiffel Tower. | ||
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The first cemetery people think of in Paris is Père-Lachaise, the oldest, largest, and most famous. The smallest, Cimétière de Passy, is often overlooked, but it makes an interesting visit. You enter the cemetery on rue du Commandant Schloesing, near the Trocadero, and within view of the Eiffel Tower (map). Just inside you'll see on your left some laminated maps with lists of some of the famous people buried there. Borrow one for your visit, and decide if there are specific graves you would like to see. Be warned, however, that although Passy is divided into numbered divisions, like the other cemeteries, there are no road signs or indications, and it can be difficult to find the graves you seek. Usually you can find a landmark and get your bearings, but be prepared for some confusion. Because of its location in the high fashion area of Passy, this cemetery includes names such as Guerlain and Givenchy. But the list is much broader, including politicians, diplomates, artists, composers, and more. —Bao Dai, Emperor of Vietnam —Jean-Louis Barrault, actor (with Madeleine Renaud). (Note that the headstone has the name Louis Ernest Lheureux, and the footstone says Renaud, but you have to look on the flat stone to find Barrault. Look for the distinctive shape of the monument!) —Francis Bouygues, entrepreneur —Carnot family, politicians —Marcel Dassault, engineer and aviation pioneer —Claude Debussy, composer —Gabriel Fauré, composer —Fernandel, actor (note that the name on top of his tomb is Fernand and the "Fernandel may be obscured by flowers!) —Jean Giraudoux, writer —Givenchy family, fashion and perfume designers —Guerlain family, perfumers —Paul Guillaume, art collector —Georges Mandel, politician, government minister, and resistance fighter —Édouard Manet, painter —Leila Pahlavi, princess, daughter of the Shah of Iran —Jean Patou, fashion designer —Madeleine Renaud, actor (with Jean-Louis Barrault) —Renault family, automobile entrepreneurs —Haroun Tazieff, volcanologist As you visit, you may see people tending graves, or you may even come upon a burial. Remember that while the Cimetière de Passy is an interesting place to walk, it is also a a cemetery that is still in use. Please respect the tranquility of the cemetery and those who visit it. Cimetière de Passy Métro: Trocadero
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Above, View of the Eiffel Tower from the Passy Cemetery.
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