In out-of-the way Sainte Geneviève des bois, this, the largest of Russian cemeteries outside of Russia, hosts the tombs of a great many of Russia's greatest artists. It is extremely moving to walk amongst them, pray tribute to the great, reflect on their work. Rudolf Noureev, Zinaida Serebriakova, Andrei Tarkovski, Alexandre Fabergé, and so many others lay here in rest... "So here you are, you, shining light of the arts, I have come to visit you. You have gone, but you are here. And in this manner, I pay tribute and homage to your work and life" If you can, go.

Although this is worth a visit to see how different graves are presented, often related to particular religious requirements and conventions - a fact true of all of the Paris area cemeteries - this place remains famous especially for one grave: that of Rudolf Nureyev. And, it is certainly worth a visit for this grave alone. It is a mosaic masterpiece, looking like an exotic woven carpet made from small tesserae of gold and coloured glass. How and why Nureyev ended up here is not clear, however, the fact of his presence is certainly magical.