The Paris cemeteries are very fashionable with guests to our stunning metropolis. Père Lachaise might be the perfect identified, however near our inns you must also try Montparnasse Cemetery, which covers a really respectful 19 hectares and contains the tombs of Baudelaire, Serge Gainsbourg, Ionesco, Susan Sontag, Marguerite Duras and Juliette Greco (who each impressed one of many flooring on the Lodge les Dames du Panthéon), Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre, Man Ray, French president Jaques Chirac and extra.
The place is much more pleasant now {that a} street that used to chop the cemetery in two has been pedestrianised, with new flower beds!
Nonetheless, there’s one Parisian cemetery that numerous vacationers don’t go to see, and as we like to indicate you issues which might be much less well-known and out-of-the-ordinary, we went down to indicate you why it is best to presumably take into account a go to.
Welcome then to the pet cemetery in Asnières-sur-Seine (simply exterior town limits, and fewer than 10 minutes from the closest metro station), based in 1899 and the ultimate resting place of over 40,000 animals…
Allow us to say first that the cemetery – which runs alongside the Seine, and is an area protected for “its picturesque, creative and historic curiosity” – could also be melancholic, however visiting it isn’t miserable in any respect. In actual fact, there’s one thing profoundly touching about how individuals can love their pet like an precise member of the household. That is one thing that rings true for lots of us.
The historical past of the place is kind of fascinating: after a brand new regulation permitting for animals to be buried, it was based in 1899 (almost 130 years in the past!) by feminist Marguerite Durand (along with writer Georges Harmois) on a small island on the Seine which was hooked up to the shore in 1976. On the time is was one of many first pet cemeteries on this planet.
Initially created with canine and cats in thoughts, over time it additionally accepted horses, rabbits, chickens, a duck, a lion, a monkey and even a bee!
It’s a protracted, skinny inexperienced house fairly in contrast to something we’ve visited earlier than, excellent to see in spring or summer season. We’d simply advise not occurring a chilly, wet winter day as a result of it’s a lot prettier with flowers blooming and leaves on the tree.
You may learn extra in regards to the place’s historical past (in French) on the official web site.
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What struck us instantly on the cemetery are the names of the pets, a few of them very old-sounding or out of trend, different very cute and unique. You’ll see a number of canine known as Ulysses and cats known as Gribouilles, but additionally many stunning names.
It needs to be mentioned that with many tombs that includes images of the animal in query, all of them undoubtedly very a lot cherished by their house owners, not all pets are traditional beauties (or the images don’t seize their essence, let’s say). We have been shocked additionally to see that one tomb is usually shared between a number of pets. Locations have to be scarce…
It is rather apparent that some house owners are able to spend fortunes honouring their deceased pet. There are some very huge tombs, with large statues, sensible marble…
These edifices are little doubt as huge because the love that the animals gave, and numerous tombs nonetheless obtain contemporary flowers 12 months and years later, whereas others appear to suggest that the human house owners are now not with us both…
Typically the messages, a number of phrases or a number of strains, are heartbreaking – my child, my daughter, we’ll always remember you…
And whereas some graves are nicely taken care of, to needs to be mentioned that the cemetery might do with a bit work. The central fountain is falling aside and hasn’t labored for years. It wouldn’t take a lot to restore it, and we’re certain that lots of people would contribute some cash.
Additionally, some tombs are so outdated now that the names are barely seen. 120 years of Parisian rain has taken its toll…
The cemetery runs alongside a park on one facet, and some minutes away is one other pretty sq. known as Sq. Voyer d’Argenson, with a number of flowers and a waterfall. One other brief stroll from right here will get you to the l’Île de la Jatte which impressed Van Gogh, Seurat and different Impressionist painters.
So there’s loads to do upon getting completed your go to! And if you wish to look by way of all of our images of the cemetery and close by sights, click on right here.
The pet cemetery at Asnières-sur-Seine (right here) is open every single day besides Mondays from 10am-6pm (4.30pm from fifteenth Octobre – fifteenth March)
Admission: 3.50€ / free for underneath 12 year-olds
Web site / Fb Asnières / Instagram Asnières
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