South Pacific
French Polynesia
Marquesas Islands
Hiva Oa
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Calvary Cemetery
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Calvary Cemetery

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See all things to do
Calvary Cemetery
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About
A simple stone with the engraving "Paul Gauguin, 1903" marks the final resting place of the famous artist.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
136 reviews
Excellent
49
Very good
61
Average
24
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Picasso68
Milan, Italy68 contributions
Gauguin and Jaques Brel tombstones
Aug 2014 • Family
Gauguin tomb is worth visiting for its position and symbolic value, if you have artistic expectations you will be disappointed.
Written April 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
GANDK715
Australind, Australia20 contributions
Lovely cemetery, great view
Jul 2013 • Couples
Really very lovely cemetery with white graves and skeletal frangipanis. Worth a visit. get a whole sense of the town from here and some idea of what Gaugin was doing here. Good for photographs. Actually as well as the cemetery the old remnants of settlements are fascinating, and especially the tikis. Worth hiring a car and getting to the site just close to town--do not need a guide. A bit overgrown but you get a sense of what was once here. You must also see the gaugin museum and his House of Joy. Women are very helpful in Gaugin Museum and told us where the grave was.
Written August 5, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
J H H
McLean, VA1,181 contributions
Okay - one of the few "tourist spots" on Hiva Oa
Jan 2012 • Friends
Worth a trip if you are already on Hiva Oa - but not as a destination itself. Great view from the cemetary itself and the Gaugin's grave site/marker is charmingly rustic.

If you are on Hiva Oa you should consider a 4 hour or so drive across island to the Giant Tiki - which is extraordinary - an ancient sacrificial mound with 2,000 year old plus stone Tiki's - YOU MUST use a driver for these and there are plenty around. DO not attempt to drive yourself - the road is "scary" with no guardrails and tremendous drop offs. We had a group of six and paid about $85 each -- BUT be aware that you should have stopped off at one of the local banks first and gotten sufficient French Polynesian Francs first -- drivers don't like US $s or even Euros!
Written July 13, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ilene K
Lakeland, FL270 contributions
Steep Uphill to Historical Gravesites
Nov 2011 • Couples
We liked all the old grave sites and the view is amazing, as is Hiva Oa. What goes up, comes down and the walk down to town is steep but the road is paved. There are no guard rails and no bathrooms but there are facilites at the Gaugauin Museum.
Written December 3, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marion W
Seattle, WA789 contributions
Gauguin and Brel's burial ground; two iconic people
May 2019 • Friends
not a very well maintained cemetery, however, the view of the bay is spectacular.
If you've visited the Gauguin's 'House of Pleasure' at the museum you will see a photo of his grave that looks nothing like this one. No idea what happened beyond having read that there's quite a dispute about what occurred to his body after his death. Try and google it or find the book by Caroline Boyle Turner: Paul Gauguin & the Marquesas; Paradise Found? Fascinating stories about his life in the islands.
The ground is very uneven with steps, etc.
Written May 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Amnon F
Tel Aviv District, Israel877 contributions
wish for myself such views
Jul 2018 • Couples
the cemetery itself isn't too special, yes Jacques Brel and Paul Gauguin both are buried here but rather ordinary graves to special people, However the views that they both have are overwhelming over the bay of Atuona and the surrounding mountains. wish i could have these views when my day comes...
Written July 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AntarcticBound
Brisbane1,092 contributions
A bit of a walk but worth it
Oct 2017 • Couples
The hill from Atuona was a bit steep in the hot sun, but it was worth it to reach the cemetery where Paul Gauguin is buried. Also buried there is the Belgium singer Jacques Brel. People were stunned when I asked who Brel was, but was fully enlightened by the locals - to whom he was a hero and held in high regard. The cemetery command a beautiful view towards the ocean and is an excellent location.
Written December 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Earibal
Istanbul, Türkiye514 contributions
Paul Gaugin and Jaques Brel
May 2017 • Couples
Both Paul Gaugin and Jaques Brel's graves are here. There is a poem nearby the Grave of Brel which touched me a lot. A good way to present your homage to these extraordinary artists is to visit their graves.
Written August 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Allgoodthyngs
Shrewsbury, UK1,702 contributions
Pretty with Stunning views
Apr 2017 • Couples
After visiting the Museum of Paul Gauguin it seemed very fitting to climb the hill to find his grave. the views form the top are simply stunning, a resting place seated atop a beautiful hillside. Very pretty and reasonably well kept. Uneven paths so take care.

We found some of the local youths hanging out there with loud music which was a shame as it spoilt our tranquil moment but on the other hand bought some life and vibrancy.

Don't be put of my the walk, its only 10 minutes even with stops and were knocking on a bit. Be sure to take water and wear a hat as it can be very hot and sunny or rainy.
Written August 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jmm73
Doha, Qatar847 contributions
Great view
Mar 2016 • Friends
It's a very steep walk up from town but, worth the view. A very small town with not a lot to do but, some nice houses to walk by
Written April 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Calvary Cemetery, Hiva Oa

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