"Allons Bonhomme/Let's Go, Buddy"
"Whatever I do/
Wherever I am/
Nothing will erase your memory/
I'm thinking of you/
I'll never forget you"
"To my beloved Bigoudi"
Le cimetiere des chiens (the pet cemetery) in Paris is on the left bank of the Seine in a northwestern suburb called Asnieres-sur-Seine. It's a short Metro ride from the city and an easy walk from the station. The cemetery came to be as the result of efforts by attorney Georges Harmois and journalist Marguerite Durand, and it first opened to the public in 1899. The Art Nouveau entrance gate to the cemetery was designed by architect Eugene Petit, who also designed a number of buildings in the 14th arrondissement in Paris.
In the twenty-first century, the cemetery is managed by the city of Asnieres-sur-Seine, and the care of the resident cats is the responsibility of a cemetery association and of various unofficial but approved volunteers. For more information, go to this site. (It's a good way to practice your French!)
Photos: by yours truly, excepting the one of me with the black kitty and the one of the plastic beaded dog headstone, both of which were taken by my father
3 comments:
So sweet and sad, I'm pouring over these photos. I especially love the one of you & Black Kitty on the bench and the grave with white roses.
Yes, that was my favorite one too (the grave with white roses). The whole thing would have been unbearably sad if not for the resident live cats, including little miss Black Kitty, and some of the more light-hearted headstones (like the one with the plastic dog).
coeliWow, what great photos and what a beautiful place. This was a real treat. Wendy
Post a Comment