How to Enjoy Montmartre in Paris
For more than 200 years, the Montmartre area of Paris has been associated with the art community. Artists such as Salvador Dalí, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh honed their talent there and drew inspiration from this area. Reaching a height in excess of 400 feet, the hilltop of Montmartre is the highest point in the surrounding area and has even been used as a vantage point for invading armies.
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Instructions
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Commission a portrait. Even if you can’t have your portrait painted by Van Gogh, you can still find a local artist who will do it for a few euros. Simply visit the numerous artist booths at Place de Tertre, which is only a few blocks southwest from Sacre-Coeur. Since the 19th century, artists such as Picasso and Utrillo have set up stalls in this area and peddled paintings and personal portraits to make ends meet.
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Visit Sacre-Coeur. Although it only dates to the early 20th century, don’t overlook a visit to Sacre-Coeur. This famous basilica is a stunning example of Neo-Romanesque architecture and is considered to be one of France’s most important Roman Catholic structures. Visitors are treated to sights such as the ovoid dome, which is the second highest point in Paris, trailing only the Eiffel Tower, and the massive bronze portico doors, which are decorated with a depiction of the Last Supper.
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Explore the Musee de Montmartre. The Musee de Montmartre is dedicated to the history of Montmartre, beginning in the 12th century. The museum is in Le Manoir de Rose de Rosimond, on Rue Cortot, and offers both a permanent collection and rotating exhibitions. The permanent collection includes many of the artists who lived in the area, including posters by Toulouse-Lautrec.
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Spend an evening at Au Lapin Agile. Au Lapin Agile is the oldest bar-cabaret in Paris and is one of Montmartre’s most famous landmarks. Located at 22 Rue des Saules, it’s only one block southeast of the Lamarck-Caulaincourt Metro station. They are open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 p.m . to 2 a.m. Reservations are recommended.
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Dine at A la Mere Catherine. This restaurant has been a Paris landmark since 1793 and provides a link to several historic events. It is said that the term “bistro,” which means quick, was first used here by Russian Cossacks. The atmosphere is casual and the menu is traditional French.
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Tips & Warnings
Paris Metro tickets can be used on the funicular to go from Pl. St. Pierre to Sacre-Coeur.
The Lamarck-Caulaincourt Station to the north and the Abessess Station to the south are the closest Metro stations to the Montmartre area.
Crowds of tourists choke the area on weekends. Plan your visit for a weekday or start early in the morning.
The Musee de Montmartre is closed on Monday.
The Au Lapin Agile charges a fixed price for a show and a drink.
