Montmartre pour toujours. Montmartre forever

Moulin-de-la-Galette

Montmartre.

La Butte, the highest point in Paris.

Une commune, a former village, once in the suburbs, later incorporated into Paris.

The place where budding artists and intellectuals went to slum it in local bars and cabarets.

The neighborhood where hordes of tourists flock in an attempt to recapture la vie de bohême, the bohemian lifestyle once favored by a long list of residents that reads like the Who’s Who of French (and European) intellectual and artistic life.

So charming, so quaint, still, beyond the many iconic landmarks.

Authentique: A real neighborhood, where people live, shop, work, and enjoy la vie parisienne. 

Montmartre

La Butte, from les Buttes-Chaumont

Montmartre from le Printemps rooftop

Le Sacré-Coeur, from le Printemps rooftop

At the top of the hill: Touristy Montmartre.

Anchored by le Sacré-Coeur, and its amazing Paris views, la Place du Tertre, and le Clos-Montmartre, a small vineyard that produces shabby wine auctioned off for charity.

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montmartre

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Paris at your feet

Step away from touristy areas; wander the streets; and find bucolic and picturesque Montmartre:

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Ivy, running wild on façades

Spice up your flâneries to follow in the footsteps of Montmartre icons, fictional or not:

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Marcel Aymé’s le Passe-Muraille (the Passer-Through-Walls)

Montmartre

French icon and longtime resident, the late Dalida (one of France’s most popular singers)

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One of the landmarks in “Amelie-land”

Blue Bridesmaid Dresses

Gilda admonishes: “Love is messy; so let’s love!” love the blue dress there.

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Le Mur des Je T’aime (I love you: the wall) features “I love you” 311 times in 250 languages

 

Observe and partake in scenes of la vie parisienne, among locals in authentic Montmartre:

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street-scenes

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#enterrasse, always

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In unpretentious bistros or at iconic addresses, enjoy the good life in gourmet Montmartre:

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In good company, live life #enterrasse and watch les Montmartrois at work and at play

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The newly-remodeled Moulin de la Galette delivers

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Millefeuille caramel au beurre salé (Moulin de la Galette)

 

Montmartre:

So Parisian, so unmistakably French, and yet, with a flavor of its own.

Always worth a visit, or two, or more.

Montmartre, pour toujours.

Montmartre

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perruque full lace

A bientôt.

All photos by French Girl in Seattle. Please do not use without permission.

More about Montmartre: 

La Complainte de la Butte, by the great Cora Vaucaire.

Véronique - France with Véro
Véronique of France with Véro

Véronique of France with Véro

Vero shares her homeland weekly on social media with virtual tours, photo essays, live events and other publications at France with Vero. Learn more.

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12 Comments

  1. Our French Oasis on September 11, 2016 at 8:15 am

    Great advice to see the ‘real’ Paris, or wherever you may find yourself in France. Away from the touristy areas and mixing instead with the locals. Beautiful photos, really enjoyed reading this.

  2. Claire on September 11, 2016 at 6:19 pm

    I really enjoyed seeing your picture of Marcel Aymé’s le Passe-Muraille (the Passer-Through-Walls). I had seen that years ago wandering around without a camera. Nice to know it has a name.

  3. Be b on September 12, 2016 at 5:04 pm

    Thanks !! Brings back great memories!

    • French Girl in Seattle on September 14, 2016 at 7:20 pm

      Avec plaisir. A bientôt.

  4. The Reader's Tales on September 12, 2016 at 9:32 pm

    J’aime la façon comment vous capturez les instants. Belle journée

    • French Girl in Seattle on September 14, 2016 at 7:19 pm

      Merci beaucoup 🙂

  5. Brenda Leahy Johnson on September 14, 2016 at 8:20 am

    I love seeing these photos of Montmartre. I’ve been to Paris 5 times and it’s never enough for an anglophone Canadian!

    • French Girl in Seattle on September 14, 2016 at 7:19 pm

      Thank you for stopping by, Brenda. I don’t know anyone who’s had enough of Montmartre. I know I haven’t.

  6. Jessica on September 16, 2016 at 5:43 am

    Ahhh, I love this so much Veronique! Montmartre is my favorite spot in Paris. I love wandering the streets there. I so often read popular travel websites/blogs tell people to stay away because it’s so touristy, but I couldn’t disagree more. It’s quintessential Paris, in my opinion.

    As always, wonderful post!! 🙂

    • French Girl in Seattle on September 17, 2016 at 7:36 am

      Bonjour Jessica. I have read the negative reviews too. So silly. Why would you pass up a chance to visit what remains one of the most charming neighborhoods in Paris?

  7. Jennifer on September 17, 2016 at 4:55 pm

    Ah,I’ll be staying in a lovely little apartment just a block from the Pigalle Metro station again in about a month. I love that area!

    • French Girl in Seattle on September 19, 2016 at 6:32 am

      Excellent. You may want to read the article I wrote about “SoPi” (South Pigalle,) if you have not already. 🙂 Thank you for the message you sent this weekend. Busy times, but I will get back to you, I promise! A bientôt, Jennifer.

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