Cimetière des Rois

The Cemetery of Kings (Cimetière des Rois) is the oldest surviving cemetery in Geneva and works as the city's unofficial pantheon. It sits in the Plainpalais district, a short distance from the Old Town, and for more than five hundred years it has received people who left a mark on Genevan history.

Why is it called the Cemetery of Kings?

The name is misleading, because no kings are buried here. The cemetery borders the Rue des Rois, and that street gave the place its name. Over the centuries the link has faded from memory, but the label stuck.

How did the cemetery begin?

It was established in 1482 as a burial ground for plague victims. Its first occupants were patients from the plague hospital next door. Over time, an epidemic cemetery grew into a site with far greater symbolic weight for the city.

Who is buried here?

A grave here is not available to just anyone. A plot can be granted to magistrates and distinguished figures whose lives and work contributed to Geneva's standing in the world. Those buried include:

• John Calvin, the Protestant reformer whose work shaped the city's religious and intellectual character,
• Jorge Luis Borges, the Argentine writer who spent his final years in Geneva,
• Jean Piaget, the world-renowned developmental psychologist,
• Sérgio Vieira de Mello, the UN diplomat,
• composer Frank Martin and conductor Ernest Ansermet,
• politician Georges Favon, commemorated by a three-metre rock monument.

The last person laid to rest in a grave here was the choreographer Noemi Lapzeson, in January 2018.

What is there to see?

The memorials are unusually varied, from modest slabs to bronze and marble sculptures. A walk between the graves feels like a stroll through a sculpture garden and an open-air museum of Genevan history at once. The mature trees give the grounds a calm, park-like atmosphere. Guided visits that combine the story of Geneva with a look at the remarkable trees are organised from time to time.

Frequently asked questions

Are any kings buried at the Cemetery of Kings? No. The name comes from the neighbouring Rue des Rois.

When was the cemetery founded? In 1482, as a burial place for plague victims.

Can I see the graves of Calvin and Borges? Yes, both are buried here, alongside other well-known figures tied to Geneva.

Are burials still held here? Plots are granted only exceptionally, to people who have served the city. The most recent burial in a grave took place in 2018.

Is it a good place for a quiet walk? Yes. It is peaceful, green and full of interesting monuments, and it is easy to combine with a visit to the nearby city centre and Old Town, where most of Geneva's main sights are found.