Deaths in the 1980s
21,000+ memorials
Mélinée Manouchian
1913–1989 (age 76)
Pantheon
Armenian-French writer and literary figure of the mid-20th century.
Pierre Arraut
1910–1983 (age 73)
Sète
Pierre Arraut was a politician from Sète who championed thoughtful service.
Gilbert Houcke
1918–1984 (age 66)
Asnières-sur-Seine
Dedicated animal trainer known for his expertise in animal behavior and training.
Maurice Genevoix
1890–1980 (age 90)
Pantheon
Maurice Genevoix was a beloved writer whose work celebrated courage and humanity.
Robert Gibrat
1904–1980 (age 76)
Appoigny
French engineer whose technical contributions influenced industrial development.
Lanza del Vasto
1901–1981 (age 80)
Roqueredonde
Lanza del Vasto was a writer who promoted peace and mindful living.
Jean-Baptiste Gastellu-Etchegorry
1896–1981 (age 85)
Gestas
French writer whose literary contributions enriched early-to-mid 20th century French letters.
André Lebon
1923–1987 (age 64)
Châtenay-Malabry
André Lebon was a writer whose words bridged empathy and imagination.
Mikhail Demin
1926–1984 (age 58)
Clamart
Russian-French writer whose works bridged Eastern European and French literary traditions.
Dorothy Russel
1907–1985 (age 78)
Giens Peninsula
Dorothy Russel was a beloved figure of the Giens Peninsula who nurtured community spirit.
Suzy Solidor
1900–1983 (age 83)
Cagnes-sur-Mer
French actress and performer whose career enriched French entertainment and theater.
Aimé Maeght
1906–1981 (age 75)
Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Aimé Maeght was an art dealer who created enduring spaces for modern artistic dialogue.
Jean Mairey
1907–1982 (age 75)
Montbard
French official whose career in public administration served the state.
Angèle Vannier
1917–1980 (age 63)
Bazouges-la-Pérouse
Angèle Vannier was a poet whose lyrical honesty reflected the beauty of rural life.
Paul Colin
1892–1985 (age 93)
Nogent-sur-Marne
Influential French graphic designer whose innovative work shaped 20th century visual design.
Louis de Guiringaud
1911–1982 (age 71)
Castelsarrasin
Louis de Guiringaud was a politician committed to balanced and respectful public service.
Pierre Delsol
1909–1987 (age 78)
Fréjus
French military officer whose service reflected dedication to national duty.
Guillaume Hanoteau
1908–1985 (age 77)
Decize
Screenwriter Guillaume Hanoteau crafted narratives that enriched mid-century French cinema.
Roland Oudot
1897–1981 (age 84)
Honfleur
French painter whose artistic contributions enriched 20th century visual arts.
Fernand Méry
1897–1984 (age 87)
Clermont-l'Hérault
Writer Fernand Méry chronicled the resilience of ordinary lives with warmth and insight.
Lucien Choury
1898–1987 (age 89)
La Garenne-Colombes
Henri Bellivier
1890–1980 (age 90)
La Garenne-Colombes
Sport cyclist Henri Bellivier inspired young riders with his disciplined endurance and quiet resolve.
Mai Trung Thu
1906–1980 (age 74)
Vanves
Gaston Vandenpanhuyse
1913–1981 (age 68)
Eaubonne
Writer Gaston Vandenpanhuyse offered thoughtful, humanist reflections that comfort and engage readers.
Gilbert Philipson
1908–1983 (age 75)
Eaubonne
Charles Alliès
1903–1988 (age 85)
Fontès
Politician Charles Alliès led with humility and a steadfast commitment to civic solidarity in Fontès.
Christine Sèvres
1931–1981 (age 50)
Antraigues-sur-Volane
Marcel Barbu
1907–1984 (age 77)
Sannois
Politician Marcel Barbu championed civic rights with earnest advocacy and moral clarity.
Jacques Lacan
1901–1981 (age 80)
Guitrancourt
Yves Allégret
1905–1987 (age 82)
Jouars-Pontchartrain
Screenwriter Yves Allégret fused poetic tension and human intimacy to elevate French cinema.
Lucette Sahuquet
1926–1987 (age 61)
Férolles-Attilly
Arnold Van Ghele
1912–1985 (age 73)
Cernay-la-Ville
Diplomat Arnold Van Ghele upheld dialogue and understanding with steady warmth.
Brassaï
1899–1984 (age 85)
Montparnasse Cemetery
Paul Arma
1905–1987 (age 82)
Montparnasse Cemetery
Composer Paul Arma crafted lyrical works that continue to captivate listeners.
Stanisław Ulam
1909–1984 (age 75)
Montparnasse Cemetery
Joris Ivens
1898–1989 (age 91)
Montparnasse Cemetery
Screenwriter Joris Ivens harnessed film to awaken empathy and document the human experience.
Georges Auric
1899–1983 (age 84)
Montparnasse Cemetery
Princess Isabelle d’Orléans
1900–1983 (age 83)
Montparnasse Cemetery
Jean-Marc Reiser
1941–1983 (age 42)
Montparnasse Cemetery
François Dufrêne
1930–1982 (age 52)
Montparnasse Cemetery
Jean Painlevé
1902–1989 (age 87)
Montparnasse Cemetery
Jean Painlevé was a French screenwriter and filmmaker who contributed significantly to early cinema.
Pinchus Krémègne
1890–1981 (age 91)
Montparnasse Cemetery
Louis-Raymond Fischer
1898–1988 (age 90)
Montparnasse Cemetery
Louis-Raymond Fischer was a French architect whose work shaped the urban landscape of twentieth-century France.
Paul Belmondo
1898–1982 (age 84)
Montparnasse Cemetery
Henri de France
1911–1986 (age 75)
Montparnasse Cemetery
Henri de France was a French engineer whose innovations contributed to technological advancement.
Simone de Beauvoir
1908–1986 (age 78)
Montparnasse Cemetery
Jean-Paul Sartre
1905–1980 (age 75)
Montparnasse Cemetery
Jean-Paul Sartre was a seminal French philosopher and writer whose existentialist ideas profoundly shaped twentieth-cent...
Samuel Beckett
1906–1989 (age 83)
Montparnasse Cemetery
Manès Sperber
1905–1984 (age 79)
Montparnasse Cemetery
Manès Sperber was a European writer whose literary and philosophical works contributed significantly to twentieth-centu...
Hubert Beuve-Méry
1902–1989 (age 87)
Montparnasse Cemetery