Traveling to Paris is a dream for many people because it is a beautiful city that has a lot to offer us. From terraces on the banks of the Seine to its incredible Eiffel Tower or places that are part of history like Notre Dame. But it also has beautiful neighborhoods that you have to visit with peace and quiet to enjoy all its corners, such as the famous Montmartre district.
Montmartre is located in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, an area that is mostly known for its hill, where the Basilica of the Sacred Coeur is located. It is one of the many tourist areas in the city of Paris, so let’s see everything you can see this bohemian district of Paris.
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The history of Montmartre
This Parisian district of Montmartre is a former French commune belonging to the Seine department. In 1860 he joined Paris as the district we talked about, the 18th. During the nineteenth century, this neighborhood was a very bohemian place where many artists lived. It was a place that also had a bad reputation for the large number of cabarets and brothels there were. This neighborhood lived such important artists as Edith Piaf, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh and Toulouse Lautrec among many others. It was the bohemian and artistic atmosphere that really would make this district of Paris fame, as it is not the one with the most monuments. Although that bohemian touch declined over the years, today it is still a tourist neighborhood in the city.
Basilica of the Sacred Heart
One of the first things we should see is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart which is located on the top of the Montmartre hill. To reach the upper part we can take the Montmartre funicular which is like a tram that takes us to the basilica area and to the place where painters gather. Do not forget that this neighborhood is still a very picturesque and bohemian place. It is also possible to climb directly along the stairs in front of the basilica, with gardens and from which you can see the panoramic view over the rooftops of Paris. It is a place where people usually sit to contemplate the image of Paris. The basilica draws attention for its white colour and for its Romano-Byzantine style. It was finished in the twentieth century, at the beginning and today it is one of the most visited places in the city. This hill was for a long time a place considered sacred.
Place du Tertre
Around the basilica there are some interesting streets. Rue du Chevalier de la Barre is a small street from which you can see the basilica and where you will also find small shops where you can buy beautiful souvenirs from Paris, so it is a must stop. Near this street is also the Place du Tertre, which is the place where painters met as early as the nineteenth century. Today it is still a place where many painters put up for sale their works, as it is still very touristy and visited. For many it is like a souvenir to buy a work by some of these artists in this famous square.
The Rue de l’Abreuvoir
This street has recently appeared in the series ‘Emily in Paris’ and everyone liked it, but it is a street that was already a very touristy spot, as it is considered as one of the most charming in the French capital. This street that is also close to the Sacred Heart is another point that we cannot miss. We can also make a small stop in a place like the café Maison Rose, the place where the protagonists enjoy a fun night. It’s another emblematic place in Paris and you’ll agree that that charm is hard to match.
Moulin Rouge and Clichy Boulevard
This boulevard today has sex shops and shops of this type, so it doesn’t look as elegant as it has been centuries ago. However here we can find the famous Moulin Rouge, which is another of the most photographed parts of all of Paris. It will draw your attention to its red color and the fact that it is the most famous cabaret in the area, that artists like Toulouse Lautrec already visited to see the famous cancan dance. On the other hand, nearby is the ‘Café des 2 moulins’ in which Amelie’s protagonist worked in the film. If you liked it and you want to remember the places in it you can stop at this cafe. You’ll realize that in Paris cafes is a culture.
