Montmartre pour toujours. Montmartre forever
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.
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.
Step away from touristy areas; wander the streets; and find bucolic and picturesque Montmartre:
Spice up your flâneries to follow in the footsteps of Montmartre icons, fictional or not:
Observe and partake in scenes of la vie parisienne, among locals in authentic Montmartre:
In unpretentious bistros or at iconic addresses, enjoy the good life in gourmet Montmartre:
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.
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.
Or click a link below to read the next (or previous) post...allons-y !
12 Comments
Leave a Comment
Join la Mailing List
Be the first to read stories and travel tips I don’t share anywhere else!
No spam, ever. That’s a promise. Visit the Privacy Policy.
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.
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.
Thanks !! Brings back great memories!
Avec plaisir. A bientôt.
J’aime la façon comment vous capturez les instants. Belle journée
Merci beaucoup 🙂
I love seeing these photos of Montmartre. I’ve been to Paris 5 times and it’s never enough for an anglophone Canadian!
Thank you for stopping by, Brenda. I don’t know anyone who’s had enough of Montmartre. I know I haven’t.
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!! 🙂
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?
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!
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.