A Visit to the Asnières Dog Cemetery: The “Père Lachaise” of Animals

Just a few minutes from Paris, behind an Art Nouveau gate, lies a place you wouldn’t expect to find in the Île-de-France region. At the dog cemetery in Asnières-sur-Seine, the epitaphs tell stories of friendship, loyalty, and sometimes even heroism. More than just a memorial, it’s a place to stroll where each grave tells the story of an era and the bond that united an animal with its owner.

It all began at the end of the 19th century. At that time, animals began to be recognized as pets. A law passed in 1898 finally authorized their burial. The following year, journalist and feminist Marguerite Durand and attorney Georges Harmois decided to establish a cemetery in Asnières-sur-Seine entirely dedicated to domestic animals. Inaugurated in 1899, it is considered the first pet cemetery of the modern era. Although it is often referred to as the “dog cemetery,” visitors will also find cats, birds, rabbits, turtles, and even a few more unexpected residents. Lying along the paths are also a horse, a chicken, and even a monkey—reminders of a time when exotic animals were sometimes part of their owners’ lives.

The tour also features a few famous encounters:

• You can’t miss the monument dedicated to Barry, the Saint Bernard who became a legend for helping to rescue dozens of travelers in the Alps.
• Rintintin, the German Shepherd who became a movie and television star.
• Moustache, a dog said to have accompanied Napoleon’s armies, whose exploits have been passed down through the generations.
• Gribouille, Marguerite Durand’s horse

But the most striking graves aren’t necessarily those of famous animals. Some are decorated with photographs, sculptures, or small toys left behind by their owners. Others display simple, sometimes touching messages that remind us just how much the role of animals in our families has changed over the past century. As you stroll through the cemetery, you move from one intimate story to the next, as if in a book made up of thousands of memories.

The Art Nouveau gate, designed by architect Eugène Petit, sets the tone right from the entrance. Originally built on the former Île des Ravageurs, the cemetery retains a peaceful atmosphere that contrasts with the nearby docks and traffic. In 1987, the Asnière city council purchased the cemetery to ensure its long-term preservation and secured its listing in the Supplementary Inventory of Sites for its historical, artistic, and picturesque value; it was then designated “Heritage of Regional Interest” in 2023. The cemetery is as much a heritage site as it is a curiosity; people come here as much for its history as to observe the hundreds of miniature monuments—sometimes simple, sometimes surprisingly ornate—that tell the story of how our view of animals has evolved.

For your information, if you wish to bury your pet, the cost varies depending on the size of the plot and the duration of the burial plot lease you choose, ranging from €148 to €3,865.

Practical Information