The Cimetiere des Chiens is a pet cemetery located in France, best known as the oldest pet cemetery in the world. It is located just a few minutes outside of Paris, and has become one of the most visited tourist attractions/destinations in France, as well as the last resting place of more than 40,000 animals.
In the 1890s, the government of Paris recognized that disposing of pets in the garbage or the nearby Seine River was not exactly hygienic. They instead declared that pets should be buried at least 100 meters outside of the city limits, giving birth to the Cimetiere des Chiens.
The cemetery itself, though the concept might seem bizarre at first, is quite beautiful. You can view the Siene from the small garden, and the entrance gates were designed by a Parisian architect, Eugene Petit.
While the creation of the cemetery was for pragmatic reasons, the cemetery has turned into a shrine for pet lovers. There’s something quite sweet about the tombs, some over 100 years old, being decorated with small squeaky toys.
Many famous pets (and not just dogs) have been laid to rest in the cemetery, and are well worth the visit. Rin Tin Tin, a famous German Shepherd who starred in more than 30 Hollywood movies, is buried here. There is a monument to Barry, the mountain rescue dog accredited with saving more than 40 lives. There are also monuments to service dogs.
There aren’t just deceased pests in the cemetery, though. A small clan of cats live in a shelter, and you can often find them relaxing in the graveyard.
Source: Wikipedia and Coolstuffinparis
