Jean Giono

Birth Name:

Jean Giono

Birth Date:

March 30, 1895

Birth Place:

14 rue Grande, 04100, Manosque, France

Death Date:

October 8, 1970

Place of Death:

3, Boulevard Élémir Bourges, 04100, Manosque, France

Age:

Cause of Death:

Heart attack

Cemetery Name:

Cimetière ancien de Manosque

Claim to Fame:

Writers and Poets

Jean Giono was a French writer who spent his entire life living and writing in Manosque, France. It was here that the author created his monumental oeuvre, inspired by the sun-drenched footpaths and unbridled natural scenery that was his home. Following in his footsteps visitors will cross the landscapes he described so vividly, from Gréoux-les-Bains to Forcalquier where his work A King Alone was born. Among his novels, the most famous are “Colline” (“The Hill”) of 1929, “Regain” (“Re covety”) of 1930, “Le Chant du Monde” (“Song of the World”) of 1934, “Que Ma Joie De meure” (“Let My Joy Remain”) of 1935, “L'Eau Vive” (“Lively Water”) of 1944, “Les Ames Mortes” (“The Dead Souls”) of 1949, “Le Hussard sur le Toit” (“The Hussard on the Roof”) of 1951 and “Le Moulin de Po logne” (“The Polish Mill”) 1952. Outside France, Giono's best-known work is probably the short story The Man who Planted Trees (and 1987 film version). This optimistic tale of a man who brings a deserted valley back to life by planting trees reflects Giono's long-standing love of the natural world, an attitude that made him a precursor to the modern ecological movement. In his later years, Giono was honoured with the Prince Rainier of Monaco literary prize in 1953, awarded for his lifetime achievements, was elected to the Académie Goncourt in 1954, and became a member of the Conseil Littéraire of Monaco in 1963.

Fun Facts

The tomb of Jean Giono bears the epitaph: “Where I am going, no one is going, no one has ever been, no one will go.” I go there alone, the country is virgin, and it disappears behind my steps”. He rests alongside his widow Élise who died in 1997 at the age of 101.

From 1930 to 1970, the Paraïs (located at 3, Boulevard Élémir Bourges, Manosque, France) was the home and refuge of Jean Giono, his wife Elise and their two daughters. The writer produced almost all of his work there and left after his death a personal library comprising more than 8,000 works, an important documentary fund of letters, photos, manuscripts, private papers, works of art and furniture. The home where he lived and passed away is now open to the public.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Cimetière ancien de Manosque

Avenue de l'Argile

Manosque , Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, 04100

France

Europe

Grave Location:

Giono Family Plot

Grave Location Description

As you enter the cemetery, walk forward about 75 feet, look to your left, and there you will find the final resting place of writer and poet Jean Giono.

Grave Location GPS

43.83927122114882, 5.779229119974834

Photos:

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Videos Featuring Jean Giono:

Une vie, une œuvre : Jean Giono (1895-1970), le déserteur du réel

Jean Giono - Occupation Journal Book Review

French Passions: Michael Morpurgo on Jean Giono

Giono évoque les petits bonheurs de la vie

Jean Giono

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Grave Location:

Grave Location Description

Grave Location GPS

Photos:

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Videos Featuring Jean Giono:

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