Montmartre

Butte Montmartre
Butte Montmarte is the highest point in Paris, surrounded by homes, shops, museums and other places of interest. It is one of the main tourist attractions of the city. The area of Montmartre became part of the city in the mid nineteenth century. During the end of the century through World War I, it attracted large numbers of residents, many artists, due to the cheap rents and sweet appearance.

Sacre Coeur
Sacre Coeur church sits on a hilltop and is the most famous landmark in the Montmartre area. Its Byzantine design, with its dome shaped roof tops, make it unique. Started in 1870, at its highest point, it is almost as tall as the Eiffel Tower. The view from the top is stunning; you can see the layout of the entire city, a breathtaking picture any day.

Place de Abbesses
This metro entrance is in the Guimard Art Noveau style, one of the few left completely intact. Its glass porch and strange lanterns give it a unique style all its own. The St-Jean de Montmatre church is in this area and is a rather strange looking church, an experiment architecture from the 1900’s.

To the east is the Chapell de Auxiliatrices. Here in 1534, Ingnatius Loyola, founded the Jesuit movement.

Home to the Masters
Up to the Butte from the Place de Abbesses, along one of two routes you take back towards the main section, you can see the Moulin de la Galette. The only surviving windmill out of over forty that was captured forever by Renoir in his painting, Bal du Moulin de la Galette.

In this area once lived many a well known artist – Zola, Degas, Van Gogh and Turgenev all had residence here at one time. Picasso lived here for a short time, working and painting in Bateau-Lavoir.

Place de Tetre
Once the scene of bloodshed and battle in 1871, it is now the heart of Montmarte. Budding artist and tourists pack the streets. There is a tiny vineyard here which hosts an annual festival in October to celebrate the grape harvest.

The Musee de Montmartre located here, was once home to Renior, Dufy and Suzanne Valada. It now is home to various pieces of art, nothing overly spectacular but the view it offers from its backdoor is fantastic!

Hall of St. Pierre is just around the corner and is a delight with its changing exhibits of folk art, art brut and art naïf. You can also find a bookstore and cafeteria where you can check out the daily news and a theater inside the Hall.

Cemetery of Artists
An interesting place to visit in this area is the Montmarte Cemetery. Laid to rest here is Stendhal, Berlioz, Degas and La Goulie, the famous Moulin Rouge dancer. Zola’s grave is here although he is not; his body was moved to the Pantheon.

More Waiting to be Discovered
This is just a mere sampling of the places to be discovered and enjoyed in this bustling area of Paris. But hopefully it is enough to spark your interest and wet your appetite for sightseeing in this delightful city.