Jean-Pierre-Hugues CAMBACÉRÈS
See onthe map
General of the Empire.
Hugues Cambacérès, younger half-brother of the Arch-Chancellor of the Empire, chose the army at the moment when his elder brother was reaching the very top of the State. The family name helped, but the service was real: a brigadier general at twenty-seven, he fought the campaigns, received the title of baron and the Cross of Saint Louis. The fall of 1815 scattered his family. The engraving gives him a first name that is not his.
The story
Born at Montpellier on 13 November 1778, he was the half-brother of Jean-Jacques-Régis de Cambacérès — twenty-five years his senior — one of the drafters of the Civil Code, Arch-Chancellor of the Empire and Duke of Parma.
He enlisted in the cavalry in 1793, the year he turned fifteen, six years before his elder brother came to power. He served at the sieges of Toulon and Lyons, took sabre wounds and a bullet in the shoulder, and was made brigadier general on 10 July 1806, at twenty-seven.
He fought through the campaigns of the Empire and Napoleon made him a baron in 1808; the restored monarchy added the cross of Saint-Louis, its own order. His stone still records the Legion of Honour.
The fall of 1815 scattered the Cambacérès: the Arch-Chancellor was banished, the family faded from view. The general withdrew.
He died in Paris on 5 September 1826 and rests in Division 40, avenue Transversale no. 1, third row, with his wife, born Karsch. His half-brother the Arch-Chancellor lies in Division 39, one path away.
The grave
A grave bearing the inscriptions of both spouses, Cambacérès and Karsch. The general's fits in one line of titles: “Jean Pierre Hubert, Baron de CAMBACÉRÈS, maréchal de camp, Kt of St Louis, Officer of the Legion of Hon., died in Paris on 5 7. 1826.” Two peculiarities: the engraved first name is Hubert, where the lists give Hugues, and the date is abbreviated according to usage — “5 7.” for 5 September.
On site, do not miss
Read the engraved first name: the stone says “Jean Pierre Hubert”, where the lists say Hugues. And the date abbreviated in the fashion of the century: “on 5 7. 1826” — 5 September.
Visitors' questions
Where is General de Cambacérès's grave?
In Division 40, Avenue Transversale No. 1, third row, with his wife, née Karsch. His half-brother, the Arch-Chancellor Jean-Jacques-Régis de Cambacérès, rests in Division 39, one path away: two Cambacérès in two neighbouring Divisions.
Jean-Jacques-Régis de CambacérèsWhat was his connection with the Arch-Chancellor of the Empire?
He was his half-brother, twenty-five years his junior. Jean-Jacques-Régis de Cambacérès, co-author of the Civil Code, Second Consul and then Arch-Chancellor, was one of the three men who governed France while Napoleon was on campaign.
Charles-François LebrunWhat military career did he have?
That of the Empire's campaigns: he was made a brigadier general on 10 July 1806, at twenty-seven, and received the title of baron, the Cross of Saint Louis and the Legion of Honour. His stone calls him “maréchal de camp”.
Jean-Pierre AugereauWas his name Hugues or Hubert?
Two first names for one man: his stone carves “Jean Pierre Hubert”, while his service record reads Jean-Pierre-Hugues. It also abbreviates the date, “le 5 7. 1826”, for 5 September — common usage in the nineteenth century.
Admiral BaudinAudio guide to Père Lachaise: the best unusual guided tour!
Discover the secrets of the most astonishing tombs
the audio guidefrom€6.99