Montmartre Cemetery 

Montmartre Cemetery, or 'Cimetière du Nord', is a historic and atmospheric resting place nestled at the foot of the hill in Montmartre, Paris. Opened in 1825, it's the third largest necropolis in the city, after the more widely known Père Lachaise and Montparnasse cemeteries.

Covering 11 hectares, Montmartre Cemetery is a serene green space that blends art, history, and nature. It's uniquely spanned by the metal Caulaincourt Bridge (below) built in 1888. which offers a distinct visual element as it crosses over the graveyard.

What sets this cemetery apart is its peaceful, almost park-like setting. Lined with a wide variety of trees—including maples, chestnuts, limes, and cedars—it’s as much a place for quiet contemplation and scenic walks as it is a burial ground. Thanks to its 20-meter gradient, it also provides some surprisingly sweeping views of Paris, adding to its charm and tranquility.

        The cemetery has 20,000 burial plots with includes some famous names including: 

• Dalida (1933–1987) – Iconic French-Italian singer and actress, whose grave is often adorned with flowers and candles from devoted fans.

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• Vaslav Nijinsky (1890–1950) – Legendary ballet dancer and choreographer of the Ballets Russes, known for his extraordinary talent and tragic descent into mental illness.
• La Goulue (Louise Weber) (1866–1929) – Famous can-can dancer and star of the Moulin Rouge, immortalized in posters by Toulouse-Lautrec.
• Edgar Degas (1834–1917) – One of the founders of Impressionism, known for his paintings and sculptures, especially of dancers.
• Gustave Moreau (1826–1898) – Symbolist painter whose dreamlike, mythological works influenced many modern artists.
• Hector Berlioz (1803–1869) – Romantic composer famous for Symphonie fantastique. Though he died before the cemetery opened, a cenotaph honors him here.
• Jacques Offenbach (1819–1880) – Composer of operettas like Orpheus in the Underworld, often credited with helping to lay the groundwork for modern musical comedy.
• ​Emile Zola (1840–1902) – Though his remains were moved to the Panthéon, his original tomb remains an ornate memorial. Zola was a novelist and political activist, central to the Dreyfus Affair.

 Good blog here on who rests here...'Walks in the cemeteries'

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