Zerbini division 97 Pere-Lachaise

And yet another mystery. . .

Goukassow division 97 Pere-Lachaise

Memorial to the Colonel Fabien Brigade division 97 Pere-Lachaise

Memorial dedicated to the legendary figure Colonel Fabien and his band of Resistance fighters, all of whom perished during the Second World War. From left to right: Captain Katz (1911-1944), Lieutenant Colonel Dax (1912-1944), Colonel Fabien (Pierre Georges, 1919-1944), and Captain Lebon (1897-1944).

Memorial to the Deportees to Oranienburg-Sachsenhausen division 97 Pere-Lachaise

Memorial to the Deportees for Compulsory Work Service division 97 Pere-Lachaise

Sculpture by I. and J. Gallo.

Memorial to the Deportees to Buchenwald-Dora division 97 Pere-Lachaise

Sculpture by Louis Bancel.

Paul Boucherot division 96 Pere-Lachaise

And just what is the story here I wonder? (If you know, please tell me.)

Marthe Swiecinska (1883-1915) division 95 Pere-Lachaise

Whether it's something as simple as the font or the stylistic elements of this unassuming tomb, or the more complex features of the cherub overseeing the passing of this young woman, I can't say. But I find this bit of stone positively striking and cannot take my eyes off her left hand. . .

Valentin brothers division 94 Pere-Lachaise

Richard Valentin (1892-1916), fell at the Somme and Jean Valentin (1896-1916) at Verdun.

Larcade division 94 Pere-Lachaise

Not terribly original perhaps, but a nicely executed variation on an age old theme, the door slightly ajar, opening for a new life or closing on the old one?

Théophile Gramme (1826-1901) division 94 Pere-Lachaise

A fitting tribute to the inventor of the dynamo. Bronze sculpture by Mathurin Moreau (1844-1912).

Jeanne Leontine Georget (1852-1929) division 94 Pere-Lachaise

Actress. I continue to wonder what is she thinking, and who, or what, is she looking at?

Ozanian Antranik (1865-1927) division 94 Pere-Lachaise

Antranik (or Andranik) was a leader of the Armenian liberation movement. During the Balkan Wars in 1912-1913, he fought for Bulgaria against Turkey. Then he returned to Armenia to organize the Armenian volunteer units to battle the Turkish regular army. After the fall of the Republic of Armenia, he immigrated to America, and died in Fresno, California, in 1927. His remains were taken to Paris in 1928, and finally brought to Armenia in 1999. Sculpture by Leon Mourdoff.

Marguerite Poccardi (1907-1920) division 93 Pere-Lachaise

I have always found this a curious work. Heres a young girl, probably Marguerite herself, does not appear to be sad or grieving or otherwise in anguish but mildly curious about the person standing in front of her grave. Curious for all eternity, of course, but still. . .

Jules Lewin (1847-1915) division 93 Pere-Lachaise

This isn't just a figure resting on a tomb lamenting the passing of the one buried beneath; it is someone who is in such great pain as to drive her to drape herself over the cold marble like a human shroud, forever placing that last kiss on the broken column representing a life cut short.

Lagarde-Gueret division 93 Pere-Lachaise

For me this sculpture is strikingly simple, and it's not really it's artistic aesthetics that appeal to me so much as how it seems to encapsulate perfectly what actually transpires in this cemetery. . .

Jack Fournie Dalignan (1904-1916) division 93 Pere-Lachaise

Daumy division 93 Pere-Lachaise

Robert Bain (1891-1904) division 93 Pere-Lachaise

Victor Noir (1848-1870) division 92 Pere-Lachaise

Born Yvan Salmon, journalist Victor Noir was assassinated by Prince Pierre Bonaparte, grand-nephew of Napoleon I and cousin of Napoleon III. Bonaparte was acquitted. Originally buried in Neuilly, his body was removed to Pere Lachaise. Effigy in bronze by Jules Dalou (1838-1902).