Ok, I know I know, going to cemeteries is a bit weird to some. But I really enjoy them, especially paying my respects to people who have greatly inspired me as an artist. My goal was to visit all the famous composers whom I just worship : Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Schumann, Debussy, Ravel, Tchaikovsky, Haydn, etc etc. Well, we are just going to have to plan another trip. We were able to visit two famous cemeteries in Paris, Pere Lachaise and Cemetery Montmartre.
At Pere Lachaise we visited Oscar Wilde (whose grave is whimsical and gorgeous), Georges Bizet (composer), Jim Morrison (that one is for my Mom, the eternal rocker), and my two favorites Frederic Chopin and Edith Piaf. Edith is the wonderful French chanteuse who sang “la vie en rose”, “padam, padam” and ” non, je regrette rien”. I listen to her music every time I bake. For those who know me know that’s a lot of Edith Piaf. Something about her music makes me feel alive.
The other person we visited was Frederic Chopin, the great composer. I have to admit, I got a bit teary eyed standing at his grave. My first real introduction to Chopin was when I started learning one of his Mazurkas for my performing arts high school audition. Many of my friends in my piano class played Chopin, from his Nocturnes to Etudes to Polinaises. I really don’t know anyone who does not like Chopin, and if they have never heard him before will fall in love soon after. I was so grateful to be able to visit his grave. And by the way, his body is in Paris, but his heart is in Warsaw, Poland.
Pere Lachaise
At the Montmarte cemetery we visited Adolphe Adam (ballet peeps know who this is), Hector Berlioz, Vaslav Nijinsky and Edgar Degas. Ok, I found out later that we were at the wrong grave for Degas, but that makes since later when you see the pic. Nijinsky’s grave is beautiful, someone had recently put some pointe shoes on the grave. It’s amazing and wonderful to see how people are still loved after they are gone. Not only famous people had flowers at their graves, but also loved ones of those who have passed, come and tidy up the gravesite and place flowers there. If we should all be so lucky to be loved once we depart our bodies.
“Life is for the living. Death is for the dead. Let life be music. And death a note unsaid.”
-Langston Hughes
Montmarte
7 Comments
Lovely pics. Did you visit in November, by any chance? Or are the tombs always so flowered? Otherwise, November 1 is the day almost everyone tends to tombs in Europe.
Hey Johanna,
Sorry it took so long to respond! We took a little break from the website. Anyhow, we visited around the 19-26 of October, so yes maybe they were decorated for this time??
Oni & Panda,
It must be in the genes. Savvy and I have often visited cemeteries to commune with the spirits laid to rest there, Pere Lachaise and Montmarte among them. One of Jimmy and my favorite graves to visit in Pere Lachaise is that of the lovers Heloise and Abelard, who are buried together. The edifice marking their graves is absolutely incredible, as is the story of their lives.
We have recently returned from a visit to Cuba, where we spent time in the Cementerio de Cristobal Colon, in Vedado, Havana. It was a fascinating place.
As always, thank you for sharing your insights, motivations, and beautiful images from your travels. An uncommon joy. Love you.
I can’t wait to see you all in the new year and hear how Cuba was. And also see the new grandchild!!! Yeah! What an exciting time :)))
I love old cemeteries! I’ve yet to visit either of these in Paris. So glad to see Angelo’s beautiful pictures.
Thanks Pauline! Hope your having a nice holiday, hope to see you soon in ballet!!
Such treasured memories you have collected! Who would have thought to visit the grave sites of people you have admired.
Blessings to you both!