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Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois Russian Cemetery

4 Rue Léo Lagrange, Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois, Île-de-France

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.

Meta review

This isn't a famous sight / monument, but visitors enjoy their experience there, paying tribute to some well-known figures and reflecting on their work. Aesthetically, the highlights are the trees (an essential element in Russian cemeteries) and Nureyev's grave with its mosaic woven rug draped over it. As one reviewer put it, "you will remember this long after the memory of another Paris meal is forgotten".

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

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit

av. transport time:1h

est. visit time:1h

Regulated hours

Start of Season 1:Apr, 01

Season 1

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

Season 2

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

Pricing
Free

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