From the actor Jean-Louis Trintignant to the legendary bullfighter Nimeño II, including poets, presidents, and even a survivor of the sinking of the Méduse, the Nîmes and Gard cemeteries reveal personalities as varied as they are striking.
On the occasion of All Souls' Day, the Midi Libre editorial team takes you through the cemeteries of Nîmes and its surroundings, to pay tribute to the notable personalities of Gard, whether famous or deeply rooted in the local heritage.
Jean-Louis Trintignant, a giant of French cinema
The final resting place of Jean-Louis Trintignantwho died at the age of 91, is located in the Pont de Justice cemetery, in Nîmes. The actor, who left his mark on cinema with his deep and sensitive roles, is buried here in the strictest privacy, close to his house in Uzès, where he spent his last years. Born into a family passionate about automobiles and politics, Jean-Louis Trintignant made a name for himself on the international scene from the 1950s. A life marked by art, but also by the mourning of his daughter Marie, which will have had a lasting impact on him.
The Protestant cemetery: cradle of artists and thinkers
The Protestant cemetery of Nîmes, used since 1782, is the oldest of its kind in France. It is the eternal rest of many figures who have enriched the French cultural and intellectual landscape. Among them, Jules Sallesrecognized painter, and Antoine Bigotpoet. The latter, known for his satires and his writings in the Nîmes dialect, rests there alongside personalities such as Charles Gideinfluential economist, and Fanfonne Guillermeemblematic Gard manadière.
Saint-Baudille Cemetery: between history and memory of Nîmes
The Saint-Baudille cemetery also welcomes its share of unmissable figures. Starting with the architect Charles-Étienne Durand and the poet Jean Reboula major poetic figure who received Chateaubriand, Alexandre Dumas and Lamartine in Nîmes. Here also rests Christian Moncouquiolbetter known as Nimeño II, famous Nîmes bullfighter who tragically died in 1991. His statue today adorns the square in front of the Nîmes arenas.
In Aigues-Vives: a President of the Republic buried
Uzès, a neighboring town of Nîmes, is the final resting place of Rene Simonfounder of the famous Parisian theater classes, and members of the family ofAndré Gideanother major literary figure. A few kilometers away, near Aigues-Vives, rests Gaston Doumergueformer President of the Republic between 1924 and 1931, who, in 1937, received a national tribute on the Place des Arènes in Nîmes.
Aimargues and Alès: keepers of history
In Aimargues, the memory of the incredible fate of the last survivor of the sinking of the Méduse, Paulin-Étienne d’Anglas-de-Pravielsoldier and former lieutenant of Louis XVIII's bodyguards who died in 1872, remains. Alès, for its part, preserves the memory of Jules CazotMinister of Justice, who marked his time through his functions within several governments of the Third Republic.
Tribute to figures of sport and the arts
Among the local personalities resting in the Gard, we find Abdelkader Firoud. Buried in Fons, some will remember him as an emblematic figure of Nîmes Olympique, a club with which he was vice-champion of France four times. In 1971, he even won the distinction of French coach of the year. In Génolhac, in the family tomb in the hamlet of Pont-de-Rastel, rests the writer Jean-Pierre Chabrolauthor inspired by the Cévennes region. Saint-André-de-Valborgne is home to the private cemetery of the family of Bernadette Lafontfavorite actress of the New Wave who won a César in 1986 for her role as Léone in The Brazen. She was buried in 2013 alongside her daughter Pauline, who tragically passed away in 1988.
Le Cailar and Remoulins: last homes of artists and soldiers
The village of Cailar hosts the tomb of Pierre Combescotwriter and journalist, winner of the Prix Goncourt and the Prix Goncourt des Lycéens in 1991 for The Daughters of Calvary. Finally, in Remoulins rests Jacques Laurent Gilly, general of the Empire who died in 1829, who participated in the great battles of the Revolution and the Empire.
