Cimetière des Chiens
Encyclopedia
The Cimetière des Chiens is often claimed to be the first zoological
necropolis in the world (although this ignores ancient burial such as Askelon which predate it by thousands of years). It opened in 1899 at 4 pont de Clichy on Île des Ravageurs in Asnières-sur-Seine
, Île-de-France
, France
.
Literally translated as the "Cemetery of Dogs," this elaborate pet cemetery
is the burial site for many dogs but also for a wide variety of pets ranging from horses to monkeys to lions and even fish.
Located in a northwest suburb of Paris, the pet cemetery caters to a very elite clientele. Filled with grand and ornate sculptures, at the entry is the monument to Barry
, a Saint Bernard
mountain rescue dog who died in 1814. The plaque says that during his lifetime, "Barry" was responsible for saving the lives of 40 people lost or trapped in the mountain snow.
The impressive entrance to the cemetery was designed by famous architect Eugene Petit in Art Nouveau
style.
Some of the cemetery's residents are famous in their own right such as Rin Tin Tin
.
, the star of a number of Hollywood films, while others are the beloved pets of the wealthy who could afford this elaborate burial place such as film director Sacha Guitry
. Buried here too, is the pet lion of stage actress, feminist, and co-founder of the cemetery, Marguerite Durand
and the pet of Camille Saint-Saëns
, composer of Carnival of the Animals.
The cemetery today is operated by the city of Asnières and in 1987, the government of France classified the cemetery as a historical monument. However, the cemetery has fallen on hard times and no longer draws very many tourists. Its owners have stated that they may have to close it.
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
necropolis in the world (although this ignores ancient burial such as Askelon which predate it by thousands of years). It opened in 1899 at 4 pont de Clichy on Île des Ravageurs in Asnières-sur-Seine
Asnières-sur-Seine
Asnières-sur-Seine is a commune in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, France, along the river Seine. It is located from the center of Paris.-Name:...
, Île-de-France
Île-de-France (région)
Île-de-France is the wealthiest and most populated of the twenty-two administrative regions of France, composed mostly of the Paris metropolitan area....
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Literally translated as the "Cemetery of Dogs," this elaborate pet cemetery
Pet cemetery
A pet cemetery is a cemetery for animals.-History:Many human cultures buried animal remains. The Ancient Egyptians mummified and buried cats, which they considered deities....
is the burial site for many dogs but also for a wide variety of pets ranging from horses to monkeys to lions and even fish.
Located in a northwest suburb of Paris, the pet cemetery caters to a very elite clientele. Filled with grand and ornate sculptures, at the entry is the monument to Barry
Barry (dog)
Barry der Menschenretter , also known as Barry, was a dog of a breed which was later called the St. Bernard that worked as a mountain rescue dog in Switzerland for the Great St Bernard Hospice. He predates the modern St. Bernard, and was lighter built than the modern breed. He has been described as...
, a Saint Bernard
St. Bernard (dog)
The St. Bernard is a breed of very large working dog from the Italian and Swiss Alps, originally bred for rescue. The breed has become famous through tales of alpine rescues, as well as for its large size.-Appearance:The St. Bernard is a large dog...
mountain rescue dog who died in 1814. The plaque says that during his lifetime, "Barry" was responsible for saving the lives of 40 people lost or trapped in the mountain snow.
The impressive entrance to the cemetery was designed by famous architect Eugene Petit in Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
style.
Some of the cemetery's residents are famous in their own right such as Rin Tin Tin
Rin Tin Tin
Rin Tin Tin was the name given to a dog adopted from a WWI battlefield that went on to star in twenty-three Hollywood films. The name was subsequently given to several related German Shepherd dogs featured in fictional stories on film, radio and television.-Origins:The first of the line Rin Tin...
.
, the star of a number of Hollywood films, while others are the beloved pets of the wealthy who could afford this elaborate burial place such as film director Sacha Guitry
Sacha Guitry
Alexandre-Pierre Georges Guitry was a French stage actor, film actor, director, screenwriter, and playwright of the Boulevard theatre.- Biography :...
. Buried here too, is the pet lion of stage actress, feminist, and co-founder of the cemetery, Marguerite Durand
Marguerite Durand
Marguerite Durand was a French stage actress, journalist, and a leading suffragette.-Biography:Born into a middle-class family, Marguerite Durand was sent to study at a Roman Catholic convent...
and the pet of Camille Saint-Saëns
Camille Saint-Saëns
Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns was a French Late-Romantic composer, organist, conductor, and pianist. He is known especially for The Carnival of the Animals, Danse macabre, Samson and Delilah, Piano Concerto No. 2, Cello Concerto No. 1, Havanaise, Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, and his Symphony...
, composer of Carnival of the Animals.
The cemetery today is operated by the city of Asnières and in 1987, the government of France classified the cemetery as a historical monument. However, the cemetery has fallen on hard times and no longer draws very many tourists. Its owners have stated that they may have to close it.
External links
- A short film on Youtube by Barbara Gordon
- Youtube Youtube Two short home videos of the cemetery in July 2008
- Official Website
- Cemetery Map
- Purr 'n' Fur: Le cimetiere des chiens, Asnieres-sur-Seine