If we told you that France’s largest cemetery is located in the Paris region, you might think of the renowned Père Lachaise. But in fact, the title goes to an entirely different, lesser-known site: the Parisian cemetery of Pantin. Covering over 100 hectares, it is the largest active cemetery in France and is situated just outside the capital.
By the late 19th century, Paris was expanding rapidly. As the population grew, so did the demand for burial spaces. The existing cemeteries within the city limits could no longer meet this need. In response, the City of Paris decided to establish new cemeteries outside its administrative boundaries, while still maintaining control over their management.
It was within this context that Pantin's cemetery was officially inaugurated in 1886. Designed on a grand scale, it now spans approximately 107 hectares, more than twice the size of Père-Lachaise. Its layout is highly organized: long, straight avenues, numbered sections, almost resembling a small urban grid. While Père-Lachaise is renowned worldwide, Pantin's cemetery remains far less crowded with tourists.
That doesn’t mean there’s a lack of notable figures. Among those laid to rest here are the filmmaker Jean-Pierre Melville, philosopher Emmanuel Lévinas, painter Émile Bernard, singer Fréhel, and aviator Jules Védrines.
With hundreds of thousands of graves and nearly a million people laid to rest since its founding, Pantin Cemetery stands as a testament to the region’s rich social, cultural, and religious diversity. It is also home to one of France's largest Muslim burial sites.
It remains operational to this day, further emphasizing its significance in the French funeral landscape. In fact, this is a point often highlighted: it is the largest active cemetery in France.
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Location
Parisian Pantin Cemetery
164 Avenue Jean Jaurès
93500 Pantin
