Grave · 1916
Grave of Papus, Père-Lachaise Cemetery
Address · Cimetière du Père-Lachaise, 16, rue du Repos, 75020 Paris (93e division)
Metro · Gambetta (3, 3bis) / Philippe Auguste (2)
Today · Free access. Cemetery with free access during opening hours.
The story
Père-Lachaise, opened in 1804 on the hill of Charonne, is the largest cemetery within the city of Paris. Its 93rd division, in the eastern part near avenue Gambetta, holds the Encausse family grave. Papus was buried there in 1916, later joined by his son Philippe Encausse, also a physician and continuer of the Martinist Order. The cemetery is also the resting place of Allan Kardec, founder of Spiritism, in the 44th division. A map is posted at the entrances.
Papus (1865-1916) was the tireless organizer of French occultism: founder of L'Initiation, of the Martinist Order and of a “group for esoteric studies”, author of treatises on Kabbalah, tarot and magic, he was also a bishop of the Gnostic Church and a traveler to Russia. Churton follows his path up to the war, during which he served as a doctor before dying of tuberculosis. He was also linked to fringe Masonic orders and Russian circles.
The grave bears an inscription of his titles: physician, philosopher, writer, Grand Master of the Martinist Order. It remains a place of passage for those curious about the history of esotericism, and a logical stop for anyone following the traces of occult Paris to its end. Churton publishes a photograph of it among the book's plates. Opening hours vary with the season. It is advisable to check the hours before going, and to bring a map, as the 93rd division is far from the main entrance on boulevard de Ménilmontant.