The North Cemetery (Cimetière du Nord), designed as an English-style garden, with sinuous drives and varied vegetation, is an incentive for walks and peace.
Built in the aftermath of the French Revolution, this place enables to discover the History of Rennes to the end of the 18th century, with its public figures who are buried here. Indeed, many politicians, scientists, architects, painters, scholars, writers... lie in this emblematic place of Rennes.
The funeral symbolism, now forgotten in modern graves, is conserved here. So we can see truncated columns, stars, religious symbols, palm, winged hourglasses.... that give some information about the decedent's life.
The quality and the diversity of the graves and funeral chapels are a significant part of the North Cemetery of Rennes. One can find some neo-classical, neo-gothic and Art Deco styles, evolving during 19th and 20th centuries in France and across Europe.
The North Cemetery is owned by the City of Rennes wich displayed significant resources to enhance the city funeral heritage and to improve the services offered to the inhabitants. The cemetery is managed by the City Hall of Rennes and its Funeral Department. It extends on the surface of 85.526 m² and holds 13.600 graves and 200 cinerary niches. The deceased are mainly French of catholic religion.
Some of the graves and monuments on North Cemetery with historical and cultural meanings are : the Front Dome (built in 1829), the grave of sculptor Adolphe Léofanti (created near 1880-1890), the grave of Bessec family (near 1920), the funeral chapel of printers Oberthür (first half of the 20th century), the grave of the mosaic worker Odorico (first half of the 20th century).
Further information : http://cimetieres.rennes.fr