Hearses No Longer Frequent the SMPF

For much of the 20th century, the SMPF, or Service Municipal des Pompes Funebres, was the place in Paris for funerals of famous people. But hearses no longer frequent the facility where Jean-Sartre and Victor Hugo had their funeral ceremony. Today, the SMPF stands as a place where creativity abounds.

Located at No. 104 Rue d’Aubervilliers in the northern region of Paris, Le 104 (formerly the SMPF) is now the base for more than one dozen artists. These artists include a cartoonist, a rapper and landscape designers who are simply need a place to work away from their residence. The facility cost more than $130 million to make it into what it is today.

“Paris as a city is being emptied of its working artists,” said Frederic Fisbach, Le 104’s co-director. “There are plenty of places in Paris for art to be shown, but not enough places for artists to work.”

The facility has come a long way since the days when it was considered the region’s foremost funeral “factory.” Workers once carved and decorated caskets, wreaths and maintained hearses all the way from the horse-drawn carriage years until today’s most elegant Cadillac hearses. If you ever find yourself in Paris, visit this unique attraction and see what it’s all about.