Montmartre in Paris: history and sights

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What is Montmartre

Montmartre Hill – is considered the highest point of the capital of France. It is located on its northern outskirts, 130 meters above sea level. In clear weather, an unusually charming view of Paris opens up from here.

As the legend says, at the top of this hill in the middle of the third century the pagans cut off the head of the first Parisian bishop “Saint Denis”. That is why the hill later became known as Montmartre, which means Mount of Martyrs.

Guides say that since the last century it has been and is one of the most picturesque places. 18th arrondissement of Paris with vineyards and orchards, crooked cobblestone streets and pretty lonely mills.

At the same time, artists and painters settled here, who united in the “Free Commune of Montmartre”. Since that time, the inhabitants of Montmartre are independent people. People with peculiar customs, conventions, holidays, and even vineyards, they cultivate collectively.

Attractions in Montmartre

Sacre Coeur Basilica

At the top of the hill, a white-stone cathedral called “Sacre-Coeur” rises to heaven. The Catholic church was built at the expense of the French bourgeoisie, thus thanking the Almighty for the victory over the Paris Commune. The years of construction are 1875-1914.

Above the portico of the temple there are two equestrian statues: Saint Louis and Joan of Arc.

Tertre Square

A little lower from the cathedral is the famous Tertre, the so-called square of Montmartre artists. Tertre is the heart of Montmartre. Hundreds of artists sit here with easels during the day. And around thousands and thousands of tourists from all over our planet. A large number of shops, cafes, souvenir shops.

Many Parisian artists, sometimes very talented, paint their canvases in the fresh air, usually for tourists. Each of them hopes that some wealthy traveler decides to fork out for a souvenir from Montmartre.

Sometimes it happens. Therefore, almost every artist always has with him a ready-made version of a picture made in bright colors, where a cute simple little boy is depicted in a peculiar style.

Parisians are always happy to tell the story of such a massive hobby for popular prints. Long ago, an artist in Montmartre asked one of the gavroche boys diving everywhere to pose for a handful of sweets. The picture turned out to be successful and unusual in style.

An American tourist asked to sell it. At first, the artist flatly refused the proposed deal. Then, wanting to rid himself of the annoying buyer, he gave him a high price. The tourist kept bargaining and eventually bought it for $ 250. It was about fifty years ago.

Over time, such popular prints became fashionable in Paris. Literally all artists draw them. But now even the richest tourists don’t buy them for more than $ 20. And reproductions and postcards of these works flooded the shops and kiosks of the capital of France.

Moulin rouge

The “Red Mill” is a world-famous cabaret, accommodates 850 visitors. Here, since 1889, slender beauties have been dancing the cancan and pouring champagne. There is also a Lido cabaret on the Champs Elysees, but you can only see the cancan at the Moulin Rouge.

Pigalle

Montmartre at night is renowned as a “street of red lights”. On the Pigalle square there is a museum of eroticism, sex shops, cabaret. It will be difficult for a lonely man to fight off persistent beauties from a brothel.

Pink house

The “Pink House” has been preserved since the 19th century. The same little pink house that the artist Maurice Utrillo loved. There is a regular restaurant in the house.

Man walking through the wall

Once upon a time, the French writer Marcel Aimé lived in Montmartre. After his death, Jean Marais made a monument to his friend, consonant with the title of his work “The Man Walking Through the Wall”.

Moulin de la Gallet mill

Previously, the Montmartre district was not part of Paris, but was a village with more than 20 mills. Only 2 of them remained: “Moulin Rouge” and “Moulin de la Gallet”. Once in “Gallet” there was a cabaret, and now there is a cafe with a wonderful view of Paris.

Cafe “Two Mills”

This is a popular brasserie café made famous by the movie Amelie (2001). The film is set in this cafe. The main character – Amelie (actress Audrey Tautou) works as a waitress.

Delilah

The legendary singer loved Paris and lived in Montmartre. Her house has been preserved, and the square is named after her (La place Dalida). A bust of Dalida is installed on the square. The singer’s chest is “polished” by the hands of tourists, it is believed that this brings happiness in love.

 Cemetery Montmartre

There are over 20 thousand graves in the cemetery; every year it is replenished with new burials. Here lies the ashes of world celebrities:

• André Marie Ampere;
• Heinrich Heine;
• Alexander Dumas-son;
• Charles Fourier;
• Stendhal;
• Edgar Degas;
• Hector Berlioz;
• cenotaph of Emile Zola;
• Whether.

Montmartre: video

As the saying goes, it’s better to see it once! In this video for you a walk “Montmartre in Paris”

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