Montmartre Cemetery

20, avenue Rachel, 18e

Here lie Romanian artist Victor Brauner (1903-1966, above left) and Surrealist writers Philippe Soupault (1897-1990, above right) and Jacques Rigaut. The two heads on top of Brauner’s tomb were carved by the artist himself, while the verses are by Surrealist writer Paul Eluard.

Soupault was the last living Surrealist. Though he helped found the Surrealist movement, Soupault was ostracized from the group in 1926, having embraced the novel—which, due to its realistic nature (at the time) was rejected by Surrealist leader Breton— and an interest in journalism. It is somewhat ironic to include his grave on this virtual map, as Soupault wrote in Story of a White Man, “Neither flowers, nor crown, nor cross, nor statue. I believe neither in God nor in glory,” as is evident in the minimalism of his grave. Nonetheless, death played a significant role in the life of Soupault, who was deeply affected by the death of his father when he was seven, and was plagued by thoughts of suicide.

Illustration by Victor Brauner. Courtesy of Galerie Bordas.

Place de Clichy