Holy Innocents' Cemetery, Paris

The Holy Innocents' Cemetery, once the oldest and most prominent burial ground in Paris, now exists only in historical records and the echoes of its past. Established around the 12th century, it was named after the Holy Innocents' Church, which no longer stands. The cemetery was located in the Les Halles district, which was the central market area of the city.

During its time, the cemetery was used extensively and became notoriously overcrowded. It was a common resting place for Parisians for several centuries until it reached a critical point where public health concerns necessitated its closure. By the late 18th century, the cemetery was filled to capacity, and the decomposition of bodies was less than adequate, leading to unsanitary conditions that contributed to the spread of disease.

In a monumental and rather macabre undertaking known as Les Innocents' exhumation, the remains from the cemetery were transferred to the Catacombs of Paris in the late 18th century, as part of a wider effort to remove cemeteries from the city center for public health reasons. The transfer of bones to the catacombs, which took place at night to avoid public spectacle and outrage, was completed in the early 19th century.

Today, no visible signs of the Holy Innocents' Cemetery remain. Where it once stood, visitors to Paris will find the bustling commercial center of Les Halles, with its modern shopping facilities and public spaces. The Fountain of the Nymphs, also known as the Fontaine des Innocents, is one of the few remaining landmarks that allude to the area's history as a cemetery. This Renaissance fountain, designed by architect Pierre Lescot, was once part of the cemetery's grounds but now stands as a standalone piece of history amidst the urban landscape.