montparnasse cemetery tour

Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris: Walking Paths & Famous Graves

Last Updated on March 29, 2023

Opened in 1824, Montparnasse Cemetery sits on a site that was once occupied by three farms, in what was then a rural, sleepy corner of southern Paris. Home to the graves of denizens such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, Samuel Beckett (who spent his last years residing nearby), American writer and critic Susan Sontag, and French short fiction master Guy de Maupassant, this green haven is a lovely place to stroll and contemplate.

It’s also one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Paris, and the second-largest municipal place of rest after the massive (and impressive) Père-Lachaise .

Explore This Article

Key Facts & a Bit of History 

Along with Paris’ three other main municipal cemeteries, Montparnasse opened in the early nineteenth century for hygiene reasons , originally called La Cimetière du Sud (Southern Cemetery). The historic Cimetière des Innocents near Les Halles, dating to the medieval period, had been deemed a health hazard– principally owing to overcrowding of corpses. The remains of millions of Parisians were exhumed and transferred to the Catacombs around the same time that the municipal cemeteries were established.

{Related: A Full Guide to the Montparnasse Neighborhood in Paris}

One section of the Cemetery boasts monuments in tribute to policemen and firefighters who lost their lives in duty.

The Cemetery holds an unusual number of graves occupied by artists, writers and their publishers, as well as foreigners who chose France as their adopted country. Irish writer Samuel Beckett is among the most famous.

Sections 5 and 30 were originally designated for Jewish graves only.

Who’s Buried There: A Few Famous Graves at Montparnasse Cemetery

This cemetery doesn’t serve as a place of rest for quite as many famous permanent residents as Père-Lachaise does, but there are numerous graves of famous Parisians gracing its poetic grounds . These include the following:

• French writers and philosophers Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir (they share a grave, pictured above)
• Susan Sontag (American writer, artist, critic)
• Samuel Beckett (Irish novelist and playwright)
• Guy de Maupassant (French writer famous for his short stories)
• Charles Baudelaire (19th-century French poet): in addition to his grave, the Cemetery also features a cenotaph dedicated to him
• Jean Baudrillard (Postmodern philosopher)
• Constantin Brâncuși (Romanian sculptor)
• Brassaï (Franco-Hungarian photographer)
• André Citroën (French automobile mogul)
• Marguerite Duras (French writer and filmmaker)
• Serge Gainsbourg (musician)
• Eugène Ionesco (playwright)
• Jean Seberg (American actress of “Breathless” fame) {Related: 8 American Women Who Moved to Paris, and Made History}
• Chaim Soutine (Franco-Russian expressionist painter)
• Camille Saint-Saëns (19th-century French composer)
• Juliette Greco (French singer and actress)

How to Make the Most of Your Visit?

The best way to enjoy the site is to choose a calm, ideally sunny or at least dry time of day. Reserve an hour or so to either explore the cemetery’s winding lanes at random, or consult the map at the entrance on Boulevard Edgar Quinet to pinpoint a few graves you’d like to visit.

The cemetery can be lovely at any time of year. In the spring and summer, trees and flowers are in full blossom, while in fall and winter there’s an added sense of drama and contemplative quiet.

However, I’d avoid visiting in the rain, unless it’s light.

Related: Best Time of Year to Visit Paris? Every Season Has its Pros & Cons

Location and Contact Information

The Cemetery is located in Paris’ southerly 14th arrondissement, between the Edgar Quinet, Montparnasse and Denfert-Rochereau metro stations.

It can be reached in around 20 minutes from the city center at Chatelet-les-Halles by metro (or a 30-40 minute walk).

• Address/Main entrance: 3   Boulevard Edgar Quinet (leading to the larger cemetery. There is an additional entrance on Rue Émile Richard (leading to both the large and small cemeteries)
• Metro: Montparnasse or Edgar Quinet
• Tel:  +33 1 44 10 86 50

Opening Days and Hours

During high season (generally April to October), the cemetery is open daily from around 8:00am to 6:00 pm.

During low season, it opens from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. Visitors are ushered out 15 minutes before closing time.

The cemetery is open on many French public holidays, including New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday and Monday, Bastille Day (July 14th), Toussaint/All Saints’ Day (November 1st), November 11th (Armistice Day), and Christmas Day.

Dogs are not allowed in the cemetery. Photography is permitted.

Sights and Attractions Nearby

Take the opportunity to explore Montparnasse , a neighborhood that was one of the most important centers of artistic and intellectual life in 20th-century Paris. Here are a few things I recommend seeing and doing around the cemetery:

Montparnasse Tower 

Many say the best panoramic views of Paris can be enjoyed from the top of this utterly modern, 56-floor skyscraper.

While it’s not in itself especially pleasing aesthetically, the observation deck at the top and ultra-fast elevator ride to the top can be a thrill.

The Historic Brasseries of Montparnasse

Montparnasse is full of legendary brasseries and bars such as La Coupole (read my full review)  and Le Select, glamorous 20th-century spots where famous artists and writers once congregated, dined and danced.

Get off at Metro Vavin to easily choose between several brasseries clustered around the stop.

Academie de la Grande Chaumière

Even if you don’t visit the interiors of this historic art academy where artists from Soutine to Louise Bourgeois have worked and taught, the facade itself is worth seeing. So, too, is the street on which it stands, which is filled with art history.

Taste Some Fantastic Crèpes and Galettes

The neighborhood is home to an unusual number of the city’s finest sit-down creperies , serving everything from savory buckwheat galettes to sweet dessert crepes laced with sugar, chocolate or caramel sauce and ice cream.

Related: The Best Ice Cream & Gelato in Paris

Paris Catacombs

The remains of millions of people– skulls, femurs, and other bones– are artfully arranged here in mile-long underground quarries . This is a fascinating visit, not least for its history: the Catacombs were created due to reputedly putrid, overflowing conditions at some of the city’s medieval cemeteries.

Fondation Cartier

This contemporary art museum is one of the city’s best, and regularly hosts thematic shows and exhibits that showcase innovations in mediums from photography to film.

Courtney Traub is the Founder and Editor of Paris Unlocked. She’s a longtime Paris resident who now divides her time (as well as she can manage) between the French capital and Norwich, UK. Co-author of the 2012 Michelin Green Guide to Northern France & the Paris Region, she has been interviewed as an expert on Paris and France by the BBC, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Le Figaro, Matador Network and other publications. Courtney has also written and reported stories for media outlets including Radio France Internationale, The Christian Science Monitor, Women’s Wear Daily and The Associated Press. In addition to going down various rabbit holes of curiosity when it comes to French culture, history, food and art, Courtney is a scholar of literature and cultural history whose essays and reviews have appeared in various forums.

4 thoughts on “ Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris: Walking Paths & Famous Graves ”

The wonderful composer, Camille Saint-Saens is also buried in the Montparnasse Cemetery.

Let’s not forget to mention Juliette Greco the muse of exsistentialism

Thank you/merci– added!

On my bucket list!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Explore Topics

Recent posts.

• Best Cheese Shops in Paris: Our Favorite Fromageries
• Accessibility in Paris: Our Full Guide to Getting Around
• Paris’s Most Beautiful and Interesting Libraries: A Peek Inside
• Paris’ Natural History Museum is Essential (With or Without Children)
• Privacy Policy

Paris Unlocked

Montparnasse Cemetery

Montparnasse Cemetery is a historic burial ground located in the heart of Paris, France. Established in the early 19th century, the cemetery is the final resting place for many notable figures from the worlds of art, literature, politics, and science.

With its beautifully landscaped grounds, elaborate tombs, and peaceful atmosphere, Montparnasse Cemetery is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

History of Montparnasse Cemetery

Montparnasse Cemetery was established in 1824 in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, during a time when the city was rapidly expanding and in need of additional burial grounds. The cemetery was built on the former site of three farms, and it was designed to be a modern, park-like space for the dead.

Over the years, the cemetery underwent several expansions and renovations, including the addition of a crematorium in the early 20th century. Today, Montparnasse Cemetery covers over 19 hectares and contains more than 35,000 graves.

One of the most notable features of the cemetery is its collection of elaborate tombs and memorials. These monuments reflect the changing fashions and tastes of the times, from the ornate Gothic Revival style of the 19th century to the Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles of the early 20th century.

Montparnasse Cemetery is the final resting place for many influential figures from French culture and beyond. Some of the notable graves in the cemetery include those of philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre and writer Simone de Beauvoir, playwright Samuel Beckett, singer Serge Gainsbourg, and many more. Each of these graves tells a story of the person buried there, their accomplishments, and their impact on the world.

Visiting Montparnasse Cemetery

If you’re planning to visit Montparnasse Cemetery, here are some practical details to keep in mind:

• Opening Hours : The cemetery is open every day from 8:00am to 6:00pm. During the summer months (April 1st to September 30th), the cemetery remains open until 8:00pm.
• Accessibility : Montparnasse Cemetery is easily accessible by public transportation. The nearest metro stations are Raspail and Edgar Quinet, and several bus lines also stop nearby. The cemetery is wheelchair accessible, but some of the paths may be uneven or difficult to navigate. 

When you visit Montparnasse Cemetery, there are many notable graves and monuments to see. Here are a few highlights:

• Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir : These two famous philosophers are buried side by side in a simple, unadorned grave. Look for their names on a small plaque set into the ground.
• Samuel Beckett : The Irish playwright and novelist is buried in a simple plot with a modest headstone.
• Serge Gainsbourg : The popular singer and songwriter has a striking grave covered in lipstick kisses and other mementos left by fans.
• Charles Baudelaire : The French poet has a large monument in the cemetery, featuring a sculpture of the poet himself by artist Auguste Rodin. 

n addition to exploring the cemetery on your own, there are also guided tours available that can offer more context and insight into the history and significance of the graves and monuments. Some tours are led by professional guides, while others are self-guided using audio guides or maps.

No matter how you choose to explore Montparnasse Cemetery, it’s a fascinating and beautiful place to visit. Don’t forget to bring comfortable shoes and plenty of water, as the cemetery is quite large and there’s much to see!

Montparnasse Cemetery and Culture

Montparnasse Cemetery has long played a role in French art and culture. Here are a few examples of the cemetery’s cultural significance:

• Art and Photography : Many famous artists and photographers have been drawn to Montparnasse Cemetery over the years. The cemetery’s sculptural monuments and serene atmosphere make it a popular subject for painters, photographers, and other visual artists. For example, the American photographer Walker Evans took a series of photographs in the cemetery in the 1920s, capturing the haunting beauty of the gravestones and tombs.
• Literary Connections : Montparnasse Cemetery has also been featured in many works of literature over the years. The cemetery’s most famous literary resident is probably Charles Baudelaire, whose grave we mentioned earlier. Other notable writers buried in the cemetery include Samuel Beckett, Marguerite Duras, and Julio Cortázar. In addition to these literary connections, the cemetery has also been used as a setting in many works of fiction, such as Ernest Hemingway’s “A Moveable Feast” and Simone de Beauvoir’s “Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter.”
• Other Cultural References : Montparnasse Cemetery has also made appearances in many other cultural works over the years. For example, the cemetery is mentioned in several songs by the French singer-songwriter Georges Brassens, who is also buried in the cemetery. The cemetery has also been featured in films such as “Paris, je t’aime” and “The Bourne Identity,” among others.

Whether you’re a fan of art, literature, or film, Montparnasse Cemetery has something to offer. Its peaceful beauty and rich cultural history make it a must-see destination for anyone visiting Paris.

Location:  3 Boulevard Edgar Quinet 75014 Paris 

Phone:  01 44 10 86 50

Official website:  https://www.paris.fr/lieux/cimetiere-du-montparnasse-4082

Best hotels in Paris

• Ajouter votre hôtel
• Mentions légales
• Restaurants
• Hôtels 5 étoiles
• Hôtels 4 étoiles
• Hôtels 3 étoiles
• Hôtels 2 étoiles

Christmas Magic in Paris: Must-See Shop Windows of 2023

Victor Hugo House

Maison de Balzac

Paris Fashion Week 2023: Dive into the World of Fashion

Bourdelle Museum

The Rugby World Cup in France has kicked off in Paris!

• My Wishlist

There are 0 item(s) in your cart

No product in shopping cart

An artistic stroll: discovering artists at Paris Montparnasse cemetery

• 0 Review(s)
• Add to review

Tickets available

Warning: Last items in stock!

Availability date:

Welcome to our guided tour of Montparnasse Cemetery , a place steeped in history and emotion where great artists rest in peace. Join us for a captivating exploration of this sanctuary of creativity and memory . 

• Location :   Paris
• Duration :   2h
• Access by Public Transport :   Metro line 6, stop Edgar Quinet, or metro line 4 or 6, stop Raspail.
• Language :   English

Display all pictures

Add to cart

Description

Along the shady avenues of this emblematic cemetery, we'll discover the graves of artistic figures who have left their mark on the world of art, literature, music and much more.

Your guide will take you on a beautiful walk through this large, luminous cemetery, with its avenues planted with remarkable species of trees , home to many of the parisian Left Bank's intellectuals and artists: Charles Baudelaire, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Serge Gainsbourg, Jane Birkin, Juliette Greco...

With your guide, take a look at the sculptures and bas-reliefs in this cemetery, which is less well known than Père-Lachaise cemetery : cherubs, faithful dogs, veiled mourners, wreaths of roses... all testimonies to the despair, love or serenity expressed by the living.

Each gravestone tells a unique story, testifying to the life,  work and legacy of these unforgettable artists. We'll delve into the fascinating stories of their lives, exploring the inspirations that fuelled their creativity and the challenges they faced along the way.

This visit gives us the opportunity to reflect on the lasting impact of these artists on our contemporary world . Their contributions to  literature, visual art, music and theatre continue to influence and inspire entire generations, shaping our understanding of the human condition and artistic expression.

Join us for an enriching and moving experience at Montparnasse Cemetery, where the beauty of art meets eternal tranquillity, and where we pay tribute to those who have enriched our lives with their creative genius.

Véronique Thierry, your guide, is graduate in Art History and Archaeology (Université Lille III), graduate of the Institut d'Etudes Techniques et Historiques des Objets d'Art (IDETH/EAC), lecturer for the City of Paris for 25 years, and founder of Intermezzo-visites (2009).

If you like strolling through the quiet cemeteries of the French capital, you'll love  this tour on Explore Paris, or  these walking tours  if you're interested in French art and culture.

Be the first to write your review!

Write a review

* Required fields

Submit   or  Cancel

Related Products

Visit to the Paris Gravelle wineyard

Guided tour of the Shoah Memorial Drancy

Art Nouveau, Art Déco : on the trace of the Passy...

Women in the Paris Commune (1871) !

Visit the Paris rooftop vineyard in Le Marais

Street art visit from Pantin to Bobigny and live...

• Virginia Beach
• History & facts
• Famous people
• Famous landmarks
• AI interviews
• Science & Nature
• Tech & Business

Discover something new everyday

• Famous places
• Food & Drinks
• Tech & Business

Famous places , Paris , Travel

A Visit to the Montparnasse Cemetery

Birds-eye view of Montparnasse Cemetary, image by Jim Linwood sourced from Flickr

Read Next →

Paris - Food & restaurants

Top 20 non-touristy restaurants in Montmartre

Barcelona - Activities & Things to do

20 Best Thrift Stores of Barcelona (with map)

Paris - By month

10 Best Techno Clubs in Paris

Montparnasse Cemetery – by Seauton – Wikimedia Commons

Where is Montparnasse Cemetery?

A Brief History of Montparnasse Cemetery

Montparnasse Cemetery – by Karsten Hoffmeyer – Wikimedia Commons

Montparnasse Cemetery Entrance – by Guilhem Vellut – Wikimedia Commons

Who is Buried at Montparnasse Cemetery?

Famous French icon Serge Gainsbourg smoking a cigarette – Source: Wikimedia Commons

Surrounding Attractions to Montparnasse Cemetery

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !

These are  Amazon’s best-selling  travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.

• The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023 –  Learn more here
• Fodor’s Paris 2024 –  Learn more here

Travel Gear

• Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack –  Learn more here
• Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage –  Learn more here
• Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle –  Learn more here

Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.

Natalie is a film photographer and is fascinated by both humans and astrology. She enjoys roaming the streets of Paris by foot, and is inspired by the city’s timeless, Bohemian flair and the soul in districts such as Le Marais and Menilmontant.

Hello & Welcome

Popular Articles

Top 20 Streets to See in Paris

Paris in two days

Top 15 Things to do Around the Eiffel Tower

The Best Way to Visit Paris Museums

Top 15 Fashion Stores in Le Marais

Visit europe with discover walks.

• Paris walking tours
• Montmartre walking tour
• Lisbon walking tours
• Prague walking tours
• Barcelona walking tours
• Private tours in Europe
• Privacy policy

© 2024 Charing Cross Corporation

Montparnasse Cemetery

In this cemetery, second biggest one in Paris, you will discover an atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else on earth, except for the Père-Lachaise cemetery , which is the Reference for the world’s necropoli. But compared to latter one, the Montparnasse cemetery is middle sized (19 hectares) and can be visited rather quickly (30-45min).

What makes Parisian cemeteries unique is the romanticism emanating from them. The greenery, the peaceful alleys, the tidiness, the beauty of the tombs, all of that makes you forget about the morbid character of the place and leads you to a charming visit.

During your walk through the Montparnasse cemetery, you will discover, amongst others, the graves of lots of well known French and foreign persons. For example, you will have the opportunity to visit the well decorated grave of Serge Gainsbourg and those, more sober, of Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir and Samuel Beckett. In a general (and non-exhaustive) manner are buried here: Eugène Ionesco, Jean Seberg, Charles Baudelaire, Guy de Maupassant, Robert Desnos, Claude Mauriac, Jean Poiret, Alfred Dreyfus, etc …

Acting as a real guardian of the temple, the Montparnasse tower dominates majestically the place and is part of the setting, no matter where you are.

Guided Tours

Useful informations, (français) rejoignez-nous sur facebook.

Related post

• Sites and Monuments in Paris
• Sites and Monuments in France
• Things to do in Paris
• Things to do in France
• ACCOMMODATION
• RENTING A CAR
• CHEF SERVICE
• CONCIERGERIE SERVICES
• TRAVEL TIPS
• TRAVEL LUGGAGE
• Arrondissements
• Monuments & Landmarks
• Secret & Offbeat Paris
• More about Paris...
• Île de France
• More Regions of France...
• Aix-en-Provence
• More Cities...
• Castles and Palaces
• Cathedrals and Churches
• Gardens and Parks
• World Heritage Sites
• Villages of France
• Autumn / Fall
• Mardi-Gras / Carnival
• April Fools' Day
• Bastille Day
• All Saints' Day
• More Holidays and Celebrations...
• National Anthem
• Gallic Rooster
• National Day
• Motto of France
• Motto of Paris
• Coat of Arms
• French President
• Le Croissant
• French Cheese
• French Wines
• Christmas Food and Recipes
• French Nursery Rhymes
• France geography
• FUN QUIZZES
• MOVIES AND MUSIC
• FRENCH LANGUAGE
• BOOKS BY FRENCH MOMENTS
• BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
• The Secrets of the Eiffel Tower
• The Gems of Paris
• Office desks and chairs
• Travel suitcases
• LEARN FRENCH WITH PIERRE
• THE STORY SO FAR
• WORK WITH US
• THE NEWSLETTER
• HOW TO SUPPORT US
• PHOTO USAGE POLICY

Discover the Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris

Last Updated:  14 February 2022

The Montparnasse Cemetery in the 14th arrondissement of Paris is the second-largest operating cemetery of the French capital. The 45 acres landscaped funeral park is like an open-air museum as many graves have been listed as Historic Monuments. In the shadow of the Montparnasse Tower are the burial places of Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and Serge Gainsbourg .

Montparnasse cemetery: a bit of history

Imagine the district of Montparnasse without the cemetery and the hustle and bustle of the railway district. Back in the Middle Ages,  the hill of  Parnassus  (Mont Parnasse) was situated outside the city limits. The site of the cemetery was used by market gardeners and occupied by three farms.

On your visit to the cemetery, notice the old windmill at the western corner. Dating from the 14th or 15th century, it has since lost its sails. The gristmill ( Tour du Moulin or Moulin de la Charité ) produced flour and is today one of the last surviving windmills in Paris ( see the windmills of Montmartre ). 

In the 17th century, the land was used as a private burial place for the order of the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God.

At the beginning of the 19th century, Nicolas Frochot , Prefect of Paris, bought the land for the City of Paris in order to create a large cemetery.

The Montparnasse cemetery was created in 1824 to serve the southern districts of the French capital. Known as the Cimetière du Midi, the cemetery was located outside Paris.

Since the 19th century, many artists and intellectuals have been buried there, including painter Soutine, sculptor Bartholdi, and writers Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir who share the same grave. Of the more recent burials, the most visited is probably that of singer Serge Gainsbourg. 

Description of the Montparnasse cemetery

The Montparnasse cemetery (Cimetière du Montparnasse) has an area of 18.72 hectares, making it the third largest garden of Paris (excluding the Bois de Vincennes and Bois de Boulogne). It stretches from the busy district of the Montparnasse railway station to the Place Denfert-Rochereau . It is divided into two parts by the rue Emile Blanchard: the smallest section is the Petit-Cimetière and the largest is called Grand-Cimetière .

The Montparnasse cemetery is one of Paris’ large cemeteries that have been laid out outside the precincts of the old town: Montmartre Cemetery in the north, Père Lachaise in the east, and Montparnasse Cemetery in the south. Another smaller cemetery was opened in Passy near the Trocadéro.

More than 300,000 people are buried in the cemetery over 42,000 plots. The cemetery is divided into sections (called divisions ).

Some are simple tombstones, others are monumental graves and family mausoleums. There is a great range of funerary art styles: Egyptian, Classical, Gothic, Renaissance, Art Nouveau… More than 1,200 trees contribute to a certain romantic atmosphere (lime trees, pagoda trees, maples, ashes and conifers.)

It is very difficult to be buried at the Montparnasse cemetery which has strict rules about burials: only people who died in Paris or who had lived there may be buried there.

Download the English version of the cemetery map with the most-searched-for burial places.

Some of the most-searched-for burial places

Many famous people (writers, composers, musicians, singers, poets, politicians, and scientists are buried at the Montparnasse cemetery. Among the celebrities who chose Montparnasse cemetery as their last resting place are:

• Théophile Bader  (1864-1942), founder of the Galeries Lafayette, a native from Dambach-la-Ville
• Auguste Bartholdi  (1834-1904), sculptor of the Statue of Liberty , a native of Colmar
• Charles Baudelaire  (1821-1867), French poet
• Simone de Beauvoir  (1908-1986), French writer and philosopher. Buried with Jean-Paul Sartre
• Samuel Beckett  (1906-1989), Irish writer, was awarded the 1969 Nobel Prize in Literature
• André Citroën  (1878-1935), French industrialist, founder of Citroën
• Alfred Dreyfus (1859-1935), a French officer. Was at the centre of one of the tensest political dramas in modern French history
• Serge Gainsbourg (1928-1991), French singer and composer
• Charles Garnier  (1825-1898), French architect famous for the Palais Garnier
• Louis Hachette  (1800-1864),
• Guy de Maupassant  (1850-1893), French writer
• Gérard Oury  (1919-2006), French film director (La Grande Vadrouille starring Louis de Funès and Bourvil)
• Jean-Paul Sartre  (1905-1980), French writer and philosopher
• Georges Wolinski  (1934-2015), French cartoonist and comics writer. Killed on 7 January 2015 in a terrorist attack in the Charlie Hebdo newspaper offices

Montparnasse cemetery: Practical info

To make the most of your visit  download the map of the cemetery to save valuable time.

The main entrance is at 3 boulevard Edgar Quinet. Other smaller entrances are situated on rue Émile Richard (near the junction of boulevard Raspail and boulevard Edgar Quinet), rue Froidevaux (near place Denfert-Rochereau) and at 89 avenue du Maine. Entrance is free.

Closest métro stations : Raspail (lines 4 and 6), Edgar Quinet (line 6), Denfert-Rochereau (lines 4 and 6, RER B) or Gaîté (line 13).

Opening times:

From 6th November to 15th March: Monday to Friday: 8am to 5.30pm – Saturday: 8.30am to 5.30pm Sundays and bank holidays: 9am to 5.30pm

From 16th March to 5th November: Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm – Saturday: 8.30am to 6pm Sundays and bank holidays: 9 am to 6 pm 

There are no more admissions to the cemetery 15 min before closing time.

Inside the cemetery, do respect the dead, their families and others visitors by observing silence and behaving decently.

Did you like what you read? If so, please do share this article on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest!

About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

Like it? Leave a comment!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

Name * * * * * * * * * *

E-mail * * * * * * * * * *

Website [optional]

Save my name, email and website in the browser for my next comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Transparency: Some blog posts and pages may contain affiliate or sponsored links. If you are planning a trip, the use of these links helps us to run the site. There is no additional cost to you. All you have to do is click on the link and any booking you make is automatically tracked. Thank you for your support!

Escape to France with every email! Get insider insights, travel guides, cultural gems delivered and exclusive offers to your inbox twice a week. Your journey to Paris and France begins when you sign up!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER AND GET THE FREE EBOOK

20 OFFBEAT PLACES IN PARIS

• Montparnasse cemetery
• What to see and do
• Museums and monuments

Description

Community facilities.

The second largest cemetery in Paris offers a romantic and charming stroll in the heart of this Left Bank neighbourhood . Among the 34,000 graves , the carved tombs of famous figures including artists, politicians and intellectuals – both French and foreign – hide among graves of the unknown. Along the cemetery’s verdant alleys, you will find works of art like Brancusi’s “The Kiss” or the statues of Niki de Saint Phalle .

Promenade and Pilgrimage

To get your bearings and to make sure you don’t miss anything, pick up a copy of the map that is available at the many entrances to the cemetery. Then you’ll be ready to stroll through the shady alleys in search of the gravestones of some of the neighbourhood’s former inhabitants, scattered with the offerings from gravesite visitors: Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, covered with lipstick kisses; Marguerite Duras and her dozens of pens, Baudelaire and his handwritten poems, or Serge Gainsbourg and his cigarettes and metro tickets.

Let yourself be charmed by the cemetery’s calming air as you wander along the verdant paths. Opened in 1824, the cemetery extends over 19 hectares, on the site of three old farms ; the tower of the Moulin de la charité is the last vestige of one of the many flourmills that once existed in the area. In the shade of the 1,200 large trees, mostly linden, maples, ash and conifers, explore the cemetery’s rich history, as you would a museum.

They lived in Paris Region. Inside the Homes of 6 Exceptional Artists .

Access and contact

• https://www.paris.fr/cimetieres

Days and opening hours

From 16 ⁄ 03 to 05/11, daily between 8 am and 6 pm. Open at 8:30am on saturday and 9am on sunday. From 06/11 to 15 ⁄ 03 , daily between 8 am and 5.30 pm. Open at 8:30am on saturday and 9am on sunday.

Spoken languages

• Copyright image:
• Van Biesen / Ooshot / CRT Paris Ile-de-France

Expired session

Montparnasse Cemetery- Paris’ South Cemetery

Purchases made through links earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

Montparnasse Cemetery is one of the three main cemeteries in Paris that were established on the outskirts of the city in the early 19th century.

Originally known as Le Cimetière du Sud (South Cemetery), it became the final resting place for many artists, intellectuals, and generations of families, as well as home to some unique artworks.

In This Post

History of montparnasse cemetery.

Montparnasse Cemetery (Cimetière Montparnasse in French) is relatively new. Opening officially on the 25 th of July, 1824, this Parisian cemetery occupies former farmland that was, in the 16th century, used as a dumping ground for rubble from nearby quarries. Eventually, the rubble grew to such an extent that it formed a hill: the “Mont” in “Montparnasse”. It became a popular spot for students of the day, who threw open-air dances on the artificial hill.

In 1780 Paris’ oldest cemetery, Cimetière des Innocents, was closed due to health concerns — an edict issued that same year banned all burials within the centre of Paris. Though the church was keen to profit from burial fees, many burial sites in the city had become gruesomely crowded — a fact made obvious after especially heavy rain.

Bodies from Cimetière des Innocents, around six million in total, were exhumed starting in 1785 and moved to the Paris Catacombs . To replace burial grounds within the city limits, a network of outlying cemeteries was later inaugurated, including Montparnasse Cemetery, Père Lachaise Cemetery , and Montmartre Cemetery.

After the cemetery’s official opening in the early 19th century, it was used for burials of people who resided on the left bank of the River Seine. 

Today Montparnasse Cemetery’s famous graves are a tourist draw, but the cemetery is also surprisingly still in use.

Design of Montparnasse Cemetery

Now located within the city limits, Montparnasse Cemetery is a verdant space spread across 47 acres. Bisected by the Rue Emile Richard, Montparnasse is divided into two parts: the smaller “Petite Cimetière” and the larger “Grand Cimetière”. Each of these is further divided into smaller subsections for the purposes of organization. 

Far from being a dark, sombre slice of Paris, the large green space is home to a wide selection of trees including conifers, maples, ash, and linden, with leafy paths and sleepy tombs laid out in a symmetrical grid.

Monuments, Funerary Art and Sculpture

As well as greenery, this Parisian cemetery is packed full with tantalizing pieces of art, sculpture, and funerary architecture. In its previous life as farmland, a windmill was built at Montparnasse. This 17th-century structure remains at the heart of the cemetery, though with no sails anymore, marking the last remnant of its rural roots. But there’s more to it than that.

Before Montparnasse became home to the overflow of Paris’ deceased — back when it was a hotspot for open-air dances — the windmill functioned as an entertainment venue. From the early 18th century, the windmill was converted into a guinguette , an open-air drinking establishment and dancehall. Later it housed the cemetery’s caretaker but is empty today.

Another prominent landmark in Montparnasse Cemetery is the Spirit of Eternal Sleep statue. It stands perched on a column at the roundabout intersection of Avenue Transversale and Avenue Principale.

Many of the graves themselves feature eye-catching monuments. For example, that of pioneering French surgeon Jacques Lisfranc de St. Martin (1787-1847), featuring a boundary fence decorated with skulls and crossbones, boasts interesting bronze reliefs: one depicts him working in the field at the Battle of Leipzig (1813), the other features the surgeon examining a severed foot in front of onlooking students.

Charles Pigeon (1838-1915), the inventor of the gas lamp, is also honoured by his funerary monument. Pigeon himself commissioned the tomb in 1905 as the final resting place for himself and up to 18 members of his family. Resembling a bed, the tomb features a statue of Pigeon and his wife reclining while reading thanks to the light of Pigeon’s invention.

Much newer is Niki de Saint Phalle’s sculpture of a mosaic cat, A Cat for Ricardo . It was created for her friend and assistant, Ricardo Menon, who died from AIDS in 1986. The artist herself was involved in the battle against AIDS and helped raise awareness about the disease. The colourful cat features flowers and a rainbow-hued tail, with “Ricardo” written across its tummy. 

Different styles of artwork are represented throughout the cemetery. The Kiss , created in 1908 by Romanian artist Constantin Brâncuși (1876-1957), was made for his friend, a Russian anarchist Tatiana Rachewskaia who committed suicide at the age of 23. Her portrait sits below the cube-like merging forms of Brâncuși’s modernist sculpture. The artist himself is also buried in the cemetery, in another section.

As for monuments paying tribute to specific events or groups of people, there are only a few in the cemetery. These include a memorial dedicated to the War of 1870, a monument to the Republican Guard, and a monument to the police prefecture.

Montparnasse Cemetery Burials- Famous Graves in Montparnasse Cemetery

The burial roster of Montparnasse Cemetery is a who’s-who of artists, inventors, creatives, and thinkers from the early 19th century through to the modern day. Here are just a few of those late greats who are buried in Montparnasse Cemetery.

Charles Baudelaire  (1821-1867)

Macabre poet Baudelaire was a master of his craft. His dark, compelling writing combines Romanticism with realism for a visceral reflection of Paris’ rapid industrialization and societal change.

In addition to his grave, there’s also a cenotaph dedicated to Baudelaire in Montparnasse Cemetery.

Guy de Maupassant  (1850-1893)

Influenced by Czech writer Franz Kafka, Guy de Maupassant is a master of the short story, of which he wrote over 300 (plus novels and travel books). The 1880 Boule de Suif , or The Dumpling in English, is his most famous work. His works examined the human condition and were often set during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871). 

Eugène Ionesco (1909-1994)

Romanian playwright Ionesco was a leading figure of French avant-garde theatre in the 20th century.

Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi  (1834-1904)

Pretty much everybody knows the Statue of Liberty in New York, but hardly anyone knows the man who designed it: Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. Some of his other sculptural works include The Lion of Belfort (Belfort, France), Marquis de Lafayette (Union Square, New York City), and Switzerland Succoring Strasbourg (Basel, Switzerland).

Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) and Simone de Beauvoir  (1908-1986)

Sharing one gravestone are two great philosophers of the 20th century. Existential thinker and playwright Sartre met influential feminist philosopher de Beauvoir in 1929. They lived for over 50 years in an open relationship. Their gravestone is covered in kisses.

Samuel Beckett (1906-1989)

Known for his moody absurdism, literary great Samuel Beckett hailed from Ireland but lived in France for a large portion of his life. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969.

Charles Garnier (1825-1898)

French architect Charles Garnier is best known for his opera house designs, having built Palais Garnier in Paris and the Opera de Monte-Carlo in Monaco.  

Serge Gainsbourg (1928-1991)

Serge Gainsbourg was one of the most influential figures in French pop music. A man of many talents, he sang, wrote over 550 songs, played the piano, and composed for films. Some of his endeavours outside the music industry included acting, writing, and filmmaking. Gainsbourg’s grave is often covered in flowers, notes, and other gifts from fans.

Jacques Chirac (1932-2019)

Jacques Chirac had an accomplished career as a politician, serving as the Prime Minister of France for two terms in the 70s and 80s, as Mayor of Paris for 18 years, and as President of France from 1995 to 2007. He was buried in Montparnasse Cemetery after a requiem mass at the Church of Saint-Sulpice.

Interesting Facts About Montparnasse Cemetery

Here are a few more facts about Montparnasse Cemetery that you may find interesting:

• Montparnasse Cemetery is the second-largest cemetery in Paris.
• It’s one of the greenest spaces in the city, featuring over 1,200 trees and bushes of multiple species.
• Around a thousand people are still buried at Montparnasse Cemetery each year.
• There are over 35,000 graves, tombs, and plots here.

Final Words

Far from being a gloomy corner of Paris, Montparnasse Cemetery is an oasis of calm. Heading here for a break from the bustling streets of the French capital is an ideal way to break up a long weekend in the city. 

Then again, fans of history will love it here, while anybody with a keen interest in art and philosophy will reap rewards from the little pilgrimages made in searching for the graves of past literati.

Practical Information for Visiting Montparnasse Cemetery

Location: Montparnasse Cemetery is located in the 14th arrondissement of Paris at 3, boulevard Edgar-Quinet.

Hours: Montparnasse Cemetery is open daily but hours vary depending on the season. It typically opens between 8:00 and 9:00 am and closes between 5:30 and 6:00 pm. Confirm current hours here .

Admission Fees: None

Map: You can download a map of Montparnasse Cemetery and its famous graves here.

Tours: Tours of Montparnasse Cemetery are sometimes included as part of a larger tour of the Montparnasse neighbourhood. You can book Montparnasse tours online here .

Paris Accommodations

If you’re planning to visit Montparnasse Cemetery and need accommodations, here is a list of  hotels in Paris . Please consider booking your Paris accommodations through the included link. It costs nothing extra and helps support this website.

More Burial Places in Paris

• Napoleon’s Tomb- History, Design and Tips for Visiting Napoleon Bonaparte’s Tomb
• Pantheon of Paris- A Mausoleum for France’s National Heroes
• Famous People Buried in Paris- A Guide to the Famous Graves in Paris
• Pere Lachaise Cemetery Burials- Famous Graves in Pere Lachaise Cemetery

Follow Tomb Travel

Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Cimetière du Montparnasse Montparnasse Cemetery

The Cimetière du Montparnasse is one of the most interesting cemeteries in Paris. It is the last resting place of many famous Parisian figures, and plenty of tombs are decorated with beautiful sculptures.

The history of the Montparnasse Cemetery goes back to the seventeenth century, when the site was owned by an Italian religious order known as the Fatebenefratelli (Brothers of Charity), who created a private cemetery here.

One survivor of this expansion is the Tour du Moulin de la Charité (Tower of the mill of Charity), the former windmill of the religious order’s monastery. The tower is now a protected monument and stands in the south-west corner of the cemetery.

In the early nineteenth century, when the cemeteries in the center of Paris started to become overcrowded, the local government acquired the domain and turned it into a municipal cemetery. At the same time, the cemetery was significantly expanded.

The Cemetery

The Montparnasse Cemetery has a geometric layout with wide tree-lined lanes dividing the different sections. A street, the rue Emile Richard, divides the cemetery into two sections: a small, almost triangular one known as the “Petit Cimetière” on the east side and a large rectangular section, the “Grand Cimetière”, on the west side.

While not as famous as the Père-Lachaise Cemetery and not as romantic as the Montmartre Cemetery , this is certainly one of the most interesting cemeteries in Paris, and plenty of famous Parisians are buried here. Near the main entrance is a placard that indicates the location of the most famous graves.

Some of the notable figures buried here include the philosophers couple Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, singer Serge Gainsbourg, playwright Samuel Beckett, industrialist André Citroën, composer Camille Saint-Saëns, poet Charles Baudelaire, Hollywood actress Jean Seberg and the sculptor who was responsible for the Statue of Liberty : Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi.

Sepulchral Monuments

The Montparnasse Cemetery has a great number of interesting memorial sculptures. Several modern sculptures of Constantin Brâncuși, who is also buried at this cemetery, can be found here, including ‘the Kiss’, a modern response to Auguste Rodin’s famous work.

Another interesting monument is the cenotaph of Charles Baudelaire, with a bust of the writer in contemplation. The writer himself is buried in the tomb of his stepfamily.

The most monumental sepulchral tomb is probably that of the French industrial Charles Pigeon, whose family tomb shows himself and his wife lying in a large bed of stone and marble. There are many more interesting tombs, including those of Henri Laurens, decorated with a cubist figure, and Bartholdi, crowned with a winged female figure reaching for the sky.

• Next: Musée des Arts Décoratifs
• More Sights & Attractions in Paris
• Père-Lachaise Cemetery
• Cimetière de Montmartre
• Cimetière des Chiens

Boulevard Edgar Quinet 3 14e arrondissement

• Locate on Map

Public Transport

Gaité (M13) Edgard Quinet (M6) Raspail (M6)

Montparnasse Walking Tour

The celebrities, sophisticates, and spies of montparnasse cafe society.

• When 3 PM Friday and Saturday
• Duration 90 minutes
• Meeting Point 91 Bd du Montparnasse, 75006 Paris

€36 per adult

Local experts, worry-free booking.

Check Availability

• Meeting Point
• Travel Tips

• Stroll down broad avenues filled with restaurants and theaters made famous in the 1920s.
• Learn about the crème de la crème of the Cafe Society.
• Explore the neighborhood once occupied by Nazis as you hear stories of the heroic French Resistance.
• Visit the graves of sculptors, writers, actors and more in a scenic cemetery.
• Admire Paris’ tallest building from ground level, the skyscraper Montparnasse Tower.
• Take our Paris shuttle for convenient transportation, included with your tour.

What you'll do

In a city rich in culture and famous landmarks, it’s easy to overlook the many fascinating neighborhoods that make the real Paris what it is. Montparnasse is just such a place. The neighborhood blends culture and counterculture, which you’ll learn more about as you stroll these historic and scenic streets.

Here, the Cafe Society reigned supreme between World War I and World War II. Celebrities mingled with the workaday folk, and art thrived. Not even the shadow of Nazi occupation and the French Resistance could dim the joie de vivre of Montparnasse.

Explore the broad avenues and narrow side streets, a peaceful cemetery and a bustling “ little theatre district ” with your guide as you discover this Parisian neighborhood. We’ll end the tour at the tallest tower in Paris. You may even decide to take a ride to the top for the best views in Paris. Your observation deck ticket isn’t included, but your guide can tell you all about what you’ll see at the top or share tips on where to enjoy dinner in this neighborhood.

Boulevard du Montparnasse

Where the cream of the Cafe Society wined and dined at legendary eateries

Rue Delambre

A French street filled with romance

Place de Josephine Baker

Honoring the beloved entertainer who also figured into the French Resistance

A brothel requisitioned by the Nazis during WWII

The Monocle

Once a women-only cabaret

Montparnasse Cemetery

Final resting place of celebrities like Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, and more

Rue de la Gaite

Paris’s “Little Theater District”

Tour Montparnasse

The city’s only skyscraper

Plan your trip

Accessibility.

This tour is accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. If mobility is an issue, please arrange for a private tour .

Tour ending point

This tour ends at Montparnasse Tower. You’re welcome to visit the observation deck on your own. Tickets to the tower aren’t included.

Refund policy

We offer a 100% refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Nice tour! Interesting facts about the neighborhood. We learned a lot, including very useful tips about Paris. Highly recommended. Thanks to the guide, RT, who was super nice and helpful.

Meeting point

Please meet us in front of the big church at the following address: 91 Bd du Montparnasse, 75006 Paris.

Your guide will be holding an orange sign with ExperienceFirst written on it.

For easier navigation, you can paste this address into Google Maps: 91 Bd du Montparnasse, 75006 Paris .

How much walking is there?

This tour covers about 2 miles.

What is the refund policy?

We understand plans change. You can always change your tour 24 hours or more before you tour. We offer a 100% refund up to 24 hours prior to your tour start time. Within 24 hours of your tour, we would have incurred hard costs and therefore cannot allow rescheduling or cancellation without costs.

When should I get there?

Plan to show up 15 minutes early. The tour starts promptly, and you may not be able to catch up if you arrive late.

What if it rains?

Our tours run rain or shine. If there’s extreme weather and we have to cancel, you’ll get a full refund.

Are gratuities included?

Tips aren’t expected but are always appreciated by our guides. If you think your guide did an outstanding job, a tip is a great way to show that.

Paris travel guides

8 Reasons the Luxembourg Gardens Are the Most Beautiful in Paris

It’s hard to say which garden in Paris is the best, so let’s be careful with that term, but if you had to…

Experience the Eiffel Tower With Climbing, Dining, and Views

Many say that the Eiffel Tower offers the best views in Paris — and who could really argue? But there is so much…

10% Off Your Next Tour

Join our newsletter and receive a discount now!

Congratulations!

• About Paris

Guided Tour: MONTPARNASSE CEMETERY

The Montparnasse Cemetery was created in 1824 as the « Southern Cemetery », on plots of land that lied outside of the Paris city limits before the French Revolution. One part of the cemetery is separated from the rest by the street Emile-Richard and is commonly known as the “Little Cemetery”; it comprises numerous Jewish graves. A lot of prestigious Jewish personalities lie buried in this cemetery, among them: captain Alfred Dreyfus; Adolphe Crémieux, who granted French Citizenship to all Algerian Jews; sociologists Emile Durkheim and Raymond Aron; the controversial pop singer Serge Gainsbourg; as well as the famous writer Joseph Kessel.

Other conferences

Home > What Nobody Told You About Tour Montparnasse (Montparnasse Tower, Paris)

What Nobody Told You About Tour Montparnasse (Montparnasse Tower, Paris)

The Tour Maine-Montparnasse , best known as Tour Montparnasse or Montparnasse Tower , is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris . With 59 floors and 210 m high, the Tower is Paris’ tallest building and the only skyscraper in the city. This stupendous Tower is situated at 33 Ave. du Maine, in the 15th Arrondissement of Paris. The entrance is at Rue de l’Arrivée, while the nearest metro stop is Montparnasse Bienvenue.

The Tour Montparnasse is named after the neighborhood it is located in. In the 17th century, students from the neighboring Latin Quarter liked to meet at the top of a small artificial hill in the south of the city, where sand and rubble were piled up, to recite poems. Ironically, the hill then took the name of Mount Parnassus , a mythical Greek mountain dedicated to the god Apollo and his nine Muses, protectors of the arts and poetry.

The Montparnasse neighborhood was from 1900 and, especially during the interwar period, the heart of Parisian artistic and intellectual life. After Apollinaire, Gauguin, Matisse, and the Douanier Rousseau, many foreign artists, mostly Jews, went into exile in Paris: Modigliani, Zadkine, Soutine, Chagall, and many more. They were attracted by the affordable rents of housing and workshops.

The Montparnasse neighborhood is also home to the Montparnasse Cemetery , one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Paris , the Observatoire de Paris, the Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain, and the Carrières des Capucins .

Tour Montparnasse Hours and Ticket Price

From 1 October to 31 March, the Tower is open from 9.30 am to 10.30 pm, from Sunday to Thursday, and from 9.30 am to 11.00 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays.

From 1 April to 30 September, the Tower is open from 9.30 am to 11.30 pm every day.

Tour Montparnasse tickets cost 15€ (adults), 11€ (students and visitors aged 12 to 17), and 7.50€ (kids aged 4 to 11). It is free to visit for kids under 4 years – Click here to book your tickets in advance

Access to Tour Montparnasse is included in The Paris Pass (now Go City Paris) . There are also interesting bundles combining some of the top Paris attractions that make you save time and money:

• Montparnasse Tower + Seine Cruise (5% off)
• Montparnasse Tower + Arc de Triomphe (5% off)
• Montparnasse Tower + Opera Garnier (5% off)

Tour Montparnasse Inside

The Montparnasse Tower has 59 floors above ground and six floors underground. The floors open to visitors are floor #56 and floor #59.

Montparnasse Tower Obervation Deck

Prepare for a dizzying ascent: the Tower’s lightning-fast elevator rises from the ground floor to the 56th floor in just 38 seconds! This lift is one of the fastest lifts in Europe at speeds reaching 60km/h.

Called the Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck , the 56th floor allows visitors to admire breathtaking views of Paris protected from wind and rain. The Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck is equipped with avant-garde interactive and audio-visual facilities to aid in interpreting the views of the city you see below. These include exhibitions, binoculars, interactive facilities, viewpoint tables, quizzes, and more.

You will also find a bar-restaurant, a café and a souvenir shop on this floor.

The Terrace

The Montparnasse Tower tickets also give you access to the 59th floor. This is actually an outdoor roof terrace that, at 210 meters high, offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of Paris.

This floor is accessible by stairs from the 56th floor, and it has telescopes and orientation tables to help visitors locate the monuments and famous buildings of Paris .

Interesting and Quirky Facts About the Montparnasse Tower, Paris

In addition to its location and imposing architecture, here are some interesting Montparnasse Tower facts.

1. Tour Montparnasse’s Main Figures

The Tour Montparnasse weighs 150,000 tons, has an oval shape of 164 x 104 meters, and has six underground levels and 59 floors.

It has 70 m of foundation, 25 lifts working at 6m/second, 40,000m2 of façade, 7,200 windows, and 1306 stairs. The Montparnasse Tower receives 1,2 million visitors per year on roofs #56 and #59, while the rest of the Tower is a prestigious address that welcomes around 5,000 employees daily.

2. It took 11 Years to Approve the Construction of the Montparnasse Tower

From the first drawings to the beginning of the construction, it took eleven years to approve the project!

All began in 1959 when the French rail company, SNCF, decided that the Montparnasse Station needed to be renovated and moved to accommodate the growing influx of passengers. So much to Paris’ dismay, the Gare Montparnasse was moved to its current location, and a 59-story tower was designed on the site of the former station to house Parisian office buildings.

The project was strongly criticized because of the height of the building. A controversy began and led to slowdowns in the project, led by the Minister of Equipment Edgard Pisani, who obtained the support of André Malraux, then Minister of Culture under General de Gaulle.

In 1969, Georges Pompidou, President of the Republic, wanted to provide Paris with modern infrastructure and granted the construction of a real complex with a Shopping Center. The construction of this Paris skyscraper could then begin.

In April 1970, the first stone was laid, and French multinational VINCI built the Tower after the design of architects Eugène Beaudouin, Urbain Cassan, and Louis Hoym de Marien. VINCI is also known for constructing the Centre Pompidou, the Channel Tunnel, and the Stade de France.

It took four years to complete the Tower, and was finally inaugurated in 1973.

3. The Montparnasse Tower Was Strongly Criticized by Parisians

Just like with the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Pyramid , Tour Montparnasse’s design and imposing measures were strongly criticized by Parisians.

While the Eiffel Tower and the Glass Pyramid eventually became the most popular landmarks in the city and Parisians fully embraced the Eiffel Tower as the ultimate symbol of their city, the resentment toward the Tour Montparnasse never went away, and it still isn’t liked by Parisians.

The Parisians were so unhappy that the city of Paris passed a law banning further buildings over seven stories tall in the historical center of Paris to prevent such a fiasco from happening again.

4. The Tour Montparnasse Was Voted the Second Ugliest Building in the World

In 2008,  the travel website named Virtual Tourist , rest in peace, organized a competition amongst its readers to choose the World’s Ugliest Buildings, and the Montparnasse Tower was voted second!

Only the Boston City Hall , a Brutalist building in Boston, was voted uglier, an honor that we are not sure their cities are proud of.

5. The Montparnasse Tower Offers the Best View of Paris

While everybody agrees the Montparnasse Tower offers one of the best views of Paris , we say it simply offers the best! While the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the Sacré-Coeur, provide a great view, you can’t escape the giant Montparnasse Tower in the distance. Ironically, the Montparnasse Tower view is the best because it’s the only vantage point in the city where you don’t see the Tour Montparnasse.

From 210 meters above ground, admire one of the best Eiffel Tower views , Montmartre, the Louvre, the Invalides, and even see beyond Paris.

In clear weather, the view extends up to 40 kilometers from the Yvelines to Charles-de-Gaulle and Orly Airports and the Eastern suburbs of Val de Marne and Seine-et-Marne. From the Observation Deck, one can often see planes taking off and landing at Orly Airport!

6. The Montparnasse Tower Restaurant is the Highest in Europe

On floor 56, visitors will also find the Montparnasse Tower restaurant, Le Ciel de Paris , which is the highest restaurant in Europe!

Le Ciel de Paris welcomes guests every day until 11.30 pm and provides fine dining with 360° vistas of the city and all its monuments.

Because of its unobstructed views of the Eiffel Tower, Le Ciel de Paris is one of the most coveted places to see the fireworks on the 14th of July (France’s National Day) . Book well in advance!

7. The Tour Montparnasse Was Paris’ Tallest Building in France for Nearly 40 Years!

From its construction in 1973 until 2011, the Tour Montparnasse (210 meters tall) was Paris’ tallest building and also the tallest building in France.

In 2011 however, the massive Tour First was remodeled, adding to its height and surpassing the Montparnasse Tower as the tallest in France. Located in La Défense business district, just outside Paris, the Tour First stands today at 231 meters, just 21 meters taller than Montparnasse Tower. This difference was enough to land it the title of the tallest building in France.

8. The Tour Montparnasse Was Free-Scaled in 2015

In 2015 Alain Robert, also known as “the French Spider-Man,” climbed the Montparnasse Tower without a harness or ropes in less than an hour. During his climb, he wore the Nepalese flag to bring awareness to human rights violations in this country.

As you can imagine, the Paris police were waiting for Mr. Robert on the top of the Tower with a red carpet, and he was arrested as soon as he reached the top.

9. It took 3 Years to Remove a Substance that Causes Cancer from the Tower

In 2005, a study concluded that the Montparnasse Tower contained 20 times the legal limit of asbestos material, a substance considered to be a carcinogen.

This resulted in some companies who rented office space at the Tower leaving it.

Removal of the asbestos started in the year 2009 and ended three years later. Surprisingly, the Tour Montparnasse continued to operate normally during this time.

10. A Place of Numerous Events

During summer in Paris , the Montparnasse Tower hosts a variety of events on the Observation Deck. Some of the events in the Tower are yoga, exercise classes, and live musical performances. There is also an outdoor bar, which offers a lovely chance to relax with your head in the clouds…

11. Home to the Highest Skate Rink in Paris

Believe it or not, but in winter, you can skate at the Tower’s open terrace – the highest skating rink in Paris!

For the last four years, a 30m2 ice rink made of synthetic material was installed at the top of the Montparnasse Tower at an altitude of 210m. The event welcome more than 30,000 people each year, both Parisians and tourists from all over the world, who could enjoy the joys of ice skating with unobstructed views of Paris

The highest ice rink in Paris was to return to the top of the Montparnasse Tower for a fifth edition in February-March 2023. However, “reasons beyond its control” prompted the Paris Montparnasse Observatory to cancel the event last minute. Let’s hope the Tower’s skate rink will be back in 2024!

What to Do Near the Montparnasse Tower, Paris?

• Montparnasse Cemetery
• Catacombs of Paris
• Parc Montsouris
• Carrières des Capucins
• Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain

Back to Homepage

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, meaning we get a small commission if you make a purchase through our links. It costs you nothing more (in fact, if anything, you’ll get a nice discount) but helps us to go on creating incredible Paris content for you. We trust all products promoted here and would never recommend a product that isn’t of value. World in Paris is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no expense to you.

About WORLD IN PARIS

Quirky parisian explorers with a preference for lesser-known sights, we are continuously looking for new ideas and tips to bring you the best of the city of light read more about us ., we’re elisa, norbert, valérie, and cédric, four travel bloggers and friends living in paris. quirky explorers with a preference for the local side of our city and its lesser-known sights, we are continuously looking for new ideas to enjoy the best of paris & around . do you want to go beyond the louvre museum or the eiffel tower keep clicking for first-hand information & our best tips learn more about us.

2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

R&K Insider

Join our newsletter to get exclusives on where our correspondents travel, what they eat, where they stay. Free to sign up.

A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

Featured city guides.

• Guided tour

Moscow: City Sightseeing by Car/Bus

• Description
• Choose date

Visiting a new city is akin to going on a first date, it is something you will never forget. Many people imagine Moscow as just a bunch of sporadic landmarks: Red Square, the Kremlin, Lenin’s Mausoleum and GUM. There is so much more to this wonderful city than that and even though we only have a few hours, we will do all we can to show you everything we know and love about our capital in one fell swoop. We will take you on a journey through the ages, from centuries ago, right up to the modern day, soaking in the sights of this vast and bustling metropolis. Bright, luxurious and both ancient and modern at the same time, Moscow invites you on a date you’ll never forget!

On our sightseeing bus tour of the city, you will see:

• The wonderfully historic city centre and its unique museums, magnificent cathedrals, the exquisite Chambers of the Romanov Boyars and of course, the famous towering red brick walls of the Kremlin, The charming beauty of the Alexander Garden awaits the capital's guests - a lush green oasis in the midst of the glass and concrete clad metropolis, basking in the etherial aura emanating from the whitewashed stone walls of the restored Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the world- renowned fairytale onion domes of St. Basil's Cathedral and other impressive monumental buildings such as the library built in Lenin's honour - the Russian State Library - and the State Duma.
• The Lubyanka KGB headquarters is notorious to members of older generations and although nowadays, the face of the secret police has changed dramatically, the looming enigmatic building on the waterfront maintains its aura of mystery, shrouded in a variety of murky rumours and dark myths. Then, there’s another of Moscow's main attractions - the marvellous Bolshoi Theatre, yew simply cant leave Moscow without taking in its breathtaking architecture. Engrained in the fabric of Russia's cultural heritage, virtuoso performers such as prima ballerina Galina Ulanova, opera singer Feodor Chaliapin and pianist, composer and conductor Sergei Rachmaninoff once stood centre stage of this vaunted institution.
• The memorial complex on Poklonnaya Hill was constructed in the glory and honour of our heroes who defended our nation in the many crucial battles of the Great Patriotic War (WWII). This is a place that embodies a particularly acute and inextricable link between older ancf younger generations. Moving on to the Moscow International Business Centre, not dubbed ‘Moscow City' for nothing, a true glimpse of the future in the present. This incredible, rather jaw-dropping project in the capital has shown that Moscow has come to accept the age of the skyscraper. Finally, the stunning views from the observation deck at Sparrow Hills will leave professional and amateur photographers alike itching to capture them. How could one resist?

The most beautiful of all the world's cities - lady Moscow invites you out on a date!

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Meeting point We'll pick you up at your hotel

St. Basil's Cathedral

House on the Embankment

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Vorobyovy Hills

Poklonnaya Hill Poklonnaya Gora

Moscow-City

Alexander garden

Russian State Library

Bolshoi Theatre

End of the tour

Choose your dates

Select time, who's going.

• Excursion Moscow: City Sightseeing by Car/Bus
• Date and time:
• Who's going: