Paris diaries 6: What to see at Montmartre

Montmartre holds the title as one of the most original quartiers of Paris. The bohemian quartier has its place as one of the most beautiful places to know when you visit the city of lights. Montmartre is the most genuine Parisian quartier. It was formerly an autonomous town, which accounts for its distinct personality. At the top, the Sacré-Coeur cathedral watches all over Paris.

Among the artist that made a life around the quartier, we can mention: Toulouse-Lautrec, Modigliani, Monet, Renoir, Degas, e van Gogh. It’s important to note that Montmartre had also become the night-life quartier you want it to be by the time these people were around.

First of all, how can we get to Montmartre?

By metro

By far the easiest option, you can get to Montmartre by getting into the following lines:

By line 2 and 12 - “Anvers and Blanche”, “Pigalle” and “Abbesses y Lamarck-Caulaincourt”

By foot

If you prefer to walk around Paris, the city offers you a wonderful experience. Montmartre is located north of the city center in the 18th arrondissement. It was constructed on a high slope, approximately 130 meters above sea level. It takes about 1 hour to get from the Eiffel Tower to Montmartre.

Getting to Montmartre

The easiest (and fun) way to get to Montmartre is by funicular. The whole route is just wonderful because as you get to the base of the quartier, you’ll see the Sacre Coeur right at the top, a set of stairs if you feel like walking, and on the left, the Montmartre funicular, that will take you to the top in less than ten minutes.

Lire la suite: Paris diaries 5: visiting the Arc de Triomphe

The Sacré-Coeur

It’s the major attraction of Montmartre and a Parisian landmark. From atop the hill, the Basilica looks down on the city. It was constructed in honor of the French soldiers who died during the Franco-Prussian War. 

Its facade may be seen from practically every part of the neighborhood and from much of the city. Climb the dome if you want a different perspective and make sure to end your journey here so you can get a wonderful view of the Parisian sunset.

Place du Tertre (Artists’ boulevard)

The Place du Tertre, together with the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, is one of the top places to be in Montmartre. It is the neighborhood's heart and soul. A wonderful and artistic place. You genuinely feel like you are in a movie. It also was Montmartre's principal plaza until the quartier was annexed to the city.

The most distinguishing feature is that it is densely populated with artists who make and then sell their work. They carry on the tradition of the masters of the past that worked in this square. Being drawn or painted by one of its artists is extremely common, so you can be part of this organic outdoor museum.

The Moulin Rouge

Walking through Pigalle, you’ll find the heart of bars and cabarets of Paris. Nightlife here thrives, but there is one cabaret that stands for the rest, and that is the Moulin Rouge.

Famous for its bohemian lifestyle at the begging of the twentieth century that drove the attention of the Paris artistic circle, today it’s the place to watch many shows, including the classic Can-Can spectacles.

Le Moulin de la Gallette

A windmill in Paris is already interesting, but in this case, it serves as evidence that Montmartre was once a town of vineyards, wheat fields, and meadows. It was originally a dancing hall, but it is now closed to the public. It may be found in works by Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir, and Van Gogh. It now serves as a restaurant.

Mur des Je t’aime

You can find this romantic spot at the Jehan-Rictus garden. It’s a wonderful wall that shows the words “I love you” in 250 languages, this work of art was made by Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito and it’s the perfect spot if you are enjoying a romantic journey.

What are your thoughts on visiting Montmartre the next time you go to Paris? Hope you can get motivated to pay a visit and get the best out of this special Paris quartier. And remember to keep your French in top shape to get the most out of your experience. À bientôt!

^{Written by Alejandro Ramirez G}