Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois Russian Cemetery
1 / 4
Russian Cemetery - by Martine Clevy on Google
Description
The Russian Orthodox cemetery is part of the Cimetière de Liers in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois, 30km south of Paris. It became the traditional burial place for White Emigres who fled Russia during the Bolshevik revolution of 1917-23 and were taking refuge in nearby Château de la Cossonnerie and then the larger Paris region. The Dormition church was built in 1938-39 in the style of the Novgorod Churches of the 15th and 16th century. There are about 5,000 graves and between 10,000 and 15,000 Russian emigrants are estimated to have been buried there. Among the most famous are Nobel prize winner Ivan Bunin, author Dmitry Merezhkovsky, dancer Rudolf Nureyev and filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky.
Access & Transport
Address: 4 Rue Léo Lagrange, 91700 Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois By public transport from Paris: RER D from Gare de Lyon to Viry Chatillon followed by DM5 bus to the Rond-Point de Fleury and walk the last 1.6km. Alternatively, RER D to Juvisy, change to RER C until Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois and there take Bus #3 to the cemetery. The journey from Garde le Lyon should take about 65mins.
Instructions & Recommendations
As this is a cemetery please dress respectfully. You may want to read up a little about the White Emigres and the famous people buried there before heading there. If you have a car, this activity can be combined with other sights in the Chevreuse Valley, the Fontainebleau area, Parc de Sceaux or, if you have young children, to the Babyland-Amiland children amusement park.
Environmental & Social
Green activity. Socially neutral.
Conclusion
This Russian cemetery, the largest outside of Russia, should be rewarding to the naturally curious and those who have an affinity with Russian culture, be it literary or artistic. It is also the opportunity to see the differences with a traditional catholic cemetery.
Key positive
Low key cultural activity and no crowds
Key negative
Pleasant and interesting but nothing spectacular to see
Suitability
Suitable for all ages but not recommended for people who feel unwell around graveyards. The cemetery has gravel paths and should be accessible for visitors with reduced mobility
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:1h
est. visit time:1h
Start of Season 1:Apr, 01
MONDAY08:00 - 19:00
TUESDAY08:00 - 19:00
WEDNESDAY08:00 - 19:00
THURSDAY08:00 - 19:00
FRIDAY08:00 - 19:00
SATURDAY08:00 - 19:00
SUNDAY08:00 - 19:00
Start of Season 2:Oct, 01
MONDAY08:00 - 17:00
TUESDAY08:00 - 17:00
WEDNESDAY08:00 - 17:00
THURSDAY08:00 - 17:00
FRIDAY08:00 - 17:00
SATURDAY08:00 - 17:00
SUNDAY08:00 - 17:00