Industrial · Cemeteries

Cannes (Grand Jas) Cemetery

Cannes

The Cimetière du Grand Jas is a famous cemetery in Cannes, located at Avenue de Grasse 205 on the French Riviera. It was created after the earlier Cimetière du Suquet and Cimetière du Caroubier could no longer accommodate population growth from French colonies and abroad in the mid-19th century. On October 20, 1865, the Cannes municipality decided to build a new 20,000 m² cemetery in the northeast of the city on the road to Grasse. The site, popularly named le Grand Jas, was completed on March 1, 1866 and consecrated on March 17, 1866.

Today the cemetery covers nine hectares and is the largest inner-city park in Cannes. It is terraced and is known for its location, garden architecture, old trees, and abundant flower decorations. It is also described as one of the best-known cemeteries in southern France and serves as a retreat from city life for the local population. A section called Cimetière Anglais was created for English-descended residents of Cannes, and it is dominated by a statue of Henry Brougham, 1. Baron Brougham and Vaux. Several well-known public figures are buried here, including Prosper Mérimée, members of the Fabergé family, Klaus Mann, Martine Carol, Jacques Monod, and Picasso’s wife Olga.

Map showing the location of Cimetière du Grand Jas in Cannes
Location of Cimetière du Grand Jas in Cannes

Nearby Objects

Creation and layout of Grand Jas Cemetery

The Cimetière du Grand Jas was created after the older Cimetière du Suquet and Cimetière du Caroubier could no longer accommodate population growth from French colonies and abroad in the mid-19th century. On October 20, 1865, the Cannes municipality decided to build a new cemetery of 20,000 square metres in the northeast of the city, on the road to Grasse. The new site became popularly known as le Grand Jas, although some people opposed it on the grounds that the Cimetière du Caroubier was sufficient and that the new location was too far away.

The cemetery was completed on March 1, 1866, and consecrated on March 17, 1866. It is located at Avenue de Grasse 205 on the French Riviera and today covers nine hectares. It is terraced and is known for its location, garden architecture, old trees, and abundant flower decorations. The site is regarded as the largest inner-city park in Cannes and is one of the best-known cemeteries in southern France. It also serves as a retreat from city life for the local population. A section called Cimetiere Anglais was created within the cemetery for English-descended residents of Cannes, and several well-known public figures are buried there.

Dominant Monument in the Cemetery

The Cimetiere Anglais is dominated by a statue of Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux. Brougham was a British lawyer and statesman who played a leading role in the city's development in the mid-19th century. The prominence of his statue gives the cemetery a clear focal point and reflects his connection with Cannes' history.

Notable Burials

Cannes (Grand Jas) Cemetery is the burial place of several notable figures. Among those interred there are Prosper Merimee, members of the Faberge family, Klaus Mann, Martine Carol, Jacques Monod, and Olga, who was Picasso's wife. These burials contribute to the cemetery's public significance as a resting place for individuals associated with literature, film, science, and cultural history.