Montparnasse Cemetery opens in Paris

Background. In the 19th century, health concerns led to the banning of cemeteries within Paris. Consequently, new suburban cemeteries were created outside the capital's precincts to replace internal burial grounds. Montparnasse Cemetery was established in the south to serve residents of the Left Bank, following the transfer of contents from parish cemeteries to the catacombs.

Site History. The location of Montparnasse Cemetery was originally composed of three farms belonging to the Hôtel-Dieu hospital and an estate owned by the Brothers of Charity in the 17th century. The city of Paris acquired this estate and surrounding grounds specifically to create a cemetery for the burial of people living in the Left Bank.

Opening. The cemetery, initially known as Le Cimetière du Sud, officially opened on 25 July 1824. It is situated in the Montparnasse quarter of Paris, in the 14th arrondissement, and is the second largest cemetery in the city, covering approximately 19 hectares.