Heloise & Abelard, the oldest residents of the Père Lachaise: the story of the Parisian Romeo & Juliet

Although Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, it also enjoys a very mystical charm fed by multiple legends the City of Lights has seen rise. Nicknamed the city of lovers, it also experienced its share of romantic stories that crossed the ages. By the way, did you know Paris has its own Romeo and Juliet? Come closer, it is time to tell you the story of Heloise and Abelard, the cursed lovers of medieval Paris.

To do so, you have to travel all the way back to the beginning of the 12^th century, under the reign of Louis VI. Pierre Abelard, a brilliant famous intellectual, but not very easy-going, teaches theology and philosophy within Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. Canon Fulbert decides to entrust him with the education of his niece Heloise. The student and master fell in love: he is 36, she is 17 years old.

Abelard and his student Heloise by Edmund Blair Leighton - 1882

Heloise gets pregnant and the pair moves to Brittany where she will give birth to their son, Astrolabe, and they get married in secret. But Heloise’s uncle, Canon Fulbert, denounces their union and has Abelard emasculated. Heloise takes orders whilst Abelard becomes a monk. They yet remain loyal to one another and kept nurturing their relationship through love letters but they will never see each other again.

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When she died, Heloise asked to be buried by Abelard – who died twenty years earlier. Legend has it that when Heloise’s body was laid in her spouse’s tomb, Abelard’s arms opened to hug her.

Today, Heloise and Abelard are the oldest residents of the Père Lachaise cemetery. The transfer of their bodies actually contributed to make the take popular and their grave, set in the 7^th division, is listed as historic monument. Curious and passionate people still come to pay tribute to the couple symbolizing eternal love.

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