Montmartre Cemetery: Paris’s Historic Cemetery Beneath a Bridge

In Paris, a busy metal bridge passes above a cemetery filled with old tombs, leafy paths and monuments to some of France’s best-known artists and writers. This unusual place is Montmartre Cemetery, also called Cimetière de Montmartre or the Cemetery of the North. Opened in 1825, it occupies the site of former gypsum quarries in the city’s 18th arrondissement.

The Caulaincourt Bridge passes directly over Montmartre Cemetery, creating an unusual contrast between the busy city streets and the historic burial ground below.

Unlike a conventional tourist attraction, Montmartre Cemetery combines Parisian history with a landscape shaped by uneven ground, mature trees, and elaborate funerary architecture. The Caulaincourt Bridge crosses above it, creating one of the cemetery’s most distinctive features.

Where Is Montmartre Cemetery?

Montmartre Cemetery is located at 20 Avenue Rachel in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, near Place de Clichy and the Montmartre neighbourhood. It is one of the three major historic cemeteries of Paris, alongside Père Lachaise Cemetery and Montparnasse Cemetery. The cemetery covers approximately 10.48 hectares, according to the City of Paris, although other official tourism sources round its area to about 11 hectares. Its sloping paths reflect the site’s former quarry landscape. The City of Paris records around 21,500 burial places.

From Abandoned Quarries to a Historic Cemetery

Before it became a cemetery, the area was associated with gypsum quarries. A burial ground known as the Champ du Repos was established there in 1798, but it soon became overcrowded. After major work to level and expand the site, the cemetery reopened in its present form on January 1, 1825.

Its location outside the densely built-up centre reflected a broader change in Parisian burial practices during the early nineteenth century. The city developed larger cemeteries beyond its central districts, creating spaces for burials that could also accommodate substantial monuments and landscaped paths.

Over the following two centuries, Montmartre Cemetery became a closely connected part of the artistic and cultural life of Paris. Its tombs range from restrained memorials to elaborate structures decorated with sculpture, carved stone and architectural details. The site was officially recognised in 2024 for its historic and scenic importance.

First Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Historic tombs and monuments along a pathway in Montmartre Cemetery, Paris, photographed by Reinhold Möller (Ermell).

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Caulaincourt Bridge Above the Graves

The feature that makes Montmartre Cemetery especially unusual is the Caulaincourt Bridge. Completed in 1888, this metal bridge crosses over the cemetery, carrying the surrounding city’s movement above the quieter burial ground. From within the cemetery, the bridge creates a striking contrast between urban infrastructure and a place intended for remembrance. Parts of the cemetery sit below street level, and its sloping terrain enhances the sense of separation from the busy streets nearby. Rather than hiding the city completely, the bridge makes the relationship between Paris and its historic cemetery impossible to miss. It is an unusual setting where traffic passes overhead while visitors walk among tombs and trees below.

Famous People Buried in Montmartre Cemetery

Montmartre Cemetery is the final resting place of numerous figures associated with music, literature, art, and entertainment. Their graves make the cemetery an important destination for visitors interested in French cultural history.

• Hector Berlioz: The influential French composer known for works including Symphonie fantastique.
• Stendhal: The nineteenth-century novelist whose works include The Red and the Black.
• Gustave Moreau: A painter associated with Symbolism, known for imaginative and richly detailed compositions.
• Dalida: The French-Italian singer whose grave is among the cemetery’s best-known and most frequently visited.
• Sacha Guitry: A French playwright, actor and filmmaker remembered for his work in theatre and cinema.

Émile Zola is also commemorated at Montmartre Cemetery, but an important distinction is necessary: his remains were transferred to the Panthéon in 1908. His memorial at the cemetery should not be confused with his burial place.

The elaborate tomb of Daniel Iffla, known as Osiris, at Montmartre Cemetery, photographed in 2012.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

A Cemetery with Trees, Tombs and Cats

Beyond its famous residents, Montmartre Cemetery is notable for its landscape. Nearly 800 trees, including maples, chestnuts, lime trees and other species, provide shade along its paths. The combination of vegetation, weathered stone and sculpted monuments gives different sections of the cemetery their character.

Cats are another feature associated with the site. Atlas Obscura describes a population of stray cats living among the tombs, giving the cemetery a reputation as an unusual refuge within the city. Their presence is part of its local character, although visitors should remember that the site is first and foremost a functioning burial ground—not simply a place to watch animals or take photographs.

Visiting Montmartre Cemetery

Montmartre Cemetery is open to visitors free of charge. Its entrance is at 20 Avenue Rachel, 75018 Paris. Opening hours vary by season and day of the week, and the public is no longer admitted 15 minutes before closing while the cemetery is cleared.

The cemetery’s sloping terrain and some uneven, paved paths can make walking difficult for visitors with limited mobility. If you plan to look for a particular grave, checking its location beforehand can help make the visit easier. Before you set out, be sure to check the official City of Paris page for the latest opening hours and access information: 

City of Paris — https://www.paris.fr/lieux/cimetiere-de-montmartre-5061 — Because the cemetery remains a place of burial and remembrance, visitors should keep noise low, avoid disturbing mourners, and treat the monuments respectfully.

A quiet pathway winds between historic tombs and trees at Montmartre Cemetery in Paris, photographed in October 2024.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Montmartre Cemetery open?

Montmartre Cemetery officially opened on January 1, 1825, following earlier burials on the site from 1798.

Why is Montmartre Cemetery beneath a bridge?

The Caulaincourt Bridge, completed in 1888, crosses above the cemetery. Its position creates the unusual contrast between the busy city overhead and the historic burial ground below.

Which famous people are buried at Montmartre Cemetery?

Notable figures buried there include composer Hector Berlioz, writer Stendhal, painter Gustave Moreau, singer Dalida and playwright Sacha Guitry. Émile Zola has a memorial at the cemetery, but his remains were transferred to the Panthéon.

Is Montmartre Cemetery free to visit?

Yes. Admission is free, but visitors should check the official City of Paris website for current opening hours and any temporary restrictions.

Where is Montmartre Cemetery located?

It is at 20 Avenue Rachel in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, France, near Place de Clichy.

A peaceful pathway winds between historic tombs and monuments at Montmartre Cemetery, a famous burial ground in Paris.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Conclusion

Montmartre Cemetery offers a different way to explore Paris’s past. Its historic tombs preserve the memory of artists, writers and performers, while its trees and winding paths create a quieter atmosphere within the city. Above it, the Caulaincourt Bridge adds an unexpected architectural feature that sets this cemetery apart from many others.

For visitors interested in history, sculpture and the cultural figures who shaped Paris, Montmartre Cemetery is a worthwhile stop—and a reminder that some of the city’s most distinctive places lie away from its busiest attractions.

References & Sources

• City of Paris — https://www.paris.fr/lieux/cimetiere-de-montmartre-5061
• Paris Tourist Office — https://parisjetaime.com/eng/culture/cimetiere-de-montmartre-p956
• Paris 18th Arrondissement Town Hall — https://mairie18.paris.fr/pages/cimetiere-montmartre-30973
• French Ministry of Culture — https://pop.culture.gouv.fr/notice/merimee/PA75180002
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Cimetière_de_Montmartre