Walking through Montmartre cobblestone roads and alleys, one may discover either top tourist destinations, or simply enjoy the bohemian life style and Paris' panoramas!
Paris panorama - a view from Montmartre |
Moulin Rouge
The most famous windmill in Paris, Moulin Rouge was the starting point towards the hilltop of Montmartre, there where lies The Sacred Heart Basilica (La Basilique du Sacré Cœur de Montmartre), facing the mighty Paris.
“Japonism”, a movement of Far-Eastern inspiration which used Japanese influences in French art, was at its height. Toulouse-Lautrec, with his famous Japanese engravings, was one of its most famous disciples at that time. The atmosphere fitted perfectly the appearance of the first cabarets, such as the Moulin Rouge in 1889. (www.moulinrouge.fr)
Japonism: a term employed by the art critic Phillippe Burty in 1872 to define a new artistic movement inspired by objects and art from Japan, shown for the first time in 1867 at the Universal Exhibition of Paris. (www.moulinrouge.fr)
Moulin Rouge |
Le Moulin de la Galette / A Montmartre Legend
Fourteen mills located on the Butte Montmartre which served for milling the wheat and flowers, for pressing grape harvests, or crushing materials, alone two remain even today: Blute-fin and Radet, dating from 1717, fair above the restaurant. These two mills formed the famous whole “Moulin de la Galette”.
Wind Mill in Montmartre Le Moulin de la Galette |
Restaurant Le Consulat |
Galerie Butte Montmartre
Looking on the web for "Galerie Butte Montmartre" as seen on this green sun shade from the picture above, I've discovered Editions Ephi, one of the brands of a "familiar company business acting in Paris and Barcelona editing poster art, postcards and so on".
Editions Ephi was born in Paris on 1967, editing Jazz performances pictures from music players like Miles Davis and Ray Charles.
That initial activity evolved into editing French's Arts Nouveaux poster art items from artists like Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Théophile Alexandre Steinlen.
Galerie Butte Montmartre |
It's in the heart of Montmartre, you will find this old house, more than four centuries. It was here, while the last century, the meeting point of artists: Pissarro, Sisley, Cézanne, Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir, Monet, Zola et Vincent Van Gogh…
Auberge de la Bonne Franquette |
It would be hard to miss the place du Tertre, one of the most touristy spots in all of Paris. Although today it’s filled with visitors, buskers and portrait artists, it was originally the main square of the village of Montmartre before it was incorporated into the city proper.
Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/france/paris/sights/squares-plazas/place-du-tertre#ixzz2upoOqDJl
The artists' workshops Place du Tertre |
Rue Norvins (Street) reveals a first glimpse of The Sacred Heart Basilica (La Basilique du Sacré Cœur de Montmartre).
Sacre Coeur The Sacred Heart Basilica |
Eiffel Tower behind some branches of a tree from Montmartre |
Paris panorama - a view from Montmartre |
Sacre Coeur The Sacred Heart Basilica |
Musee de Montmartre / Montmartre Museum
Certainly one of the most charming museums in Paris, the Museum of Montmartre was founded in 1960. It was built in the seventeenth century as the Bel Air House and is the oldest building in Montmartre.
During its heyday, 12 rue Cortot served as a residence and meeting place for many artists including Auguste Renoir, Suzanne Valadon and Émile Bernard, who held their studios here, as well as the fauve artists Emile Othon Friesz and Raoul Dufy.
Read more: Montmartre Museum
Musee de Montmartre Montmartre Museum |
Looking for the quintessential Montmartre bistro in a house that was the subject of a lithograph by Maurice Utrillo? Head for the tiny ‘Pink House’ located just north of the Place du Tertre. It’s not so much about food here but rather location, location, location.
La Maison Rose The Pink House |
La Maison Rose The Pink House |
This vineyard dates from 1932 and has a surface of 1556 square metres. You can find 27 varieties of wine including 75% of Gamay, 20% of Pinot,some stocks of white Sauvignon, Riesling... The production is 1000kg.
Clos Montmartre |
Clos Montmartre |
Au Lapin Agile / To the Agile Rabbit
In 1875 the painter-caricaturist Andre Gill painted a sign of a rabbit jumping out of a saucepan: "La lapin a Gill" changed quite naturally into Lapin Agile.
Read more: http://www.au-lapin-agile.com/
Au Lapin Agile To the Agile Rabbit |
Au Lapin Agile To the Agile Rabbit |
Au Lapin Agile To the Agile Rabbit |
Le Bateau Lavoir
The birthplace of Cubism isn't open to the public, but a display in the front window details this unimposing spot's rich history. Montmartre poet Max Jacob coined the name (it means "wash barge") because the original structure here reminded him of the laundry boats that used to float in the Seine, and he joked that the warren of paint-splattered artists' studios needed a good hosing down (wishful thinking, since the building had only one water tap).
Le Bateau Lavoir |
Boulanger et Patissier / Baker and Pastry Chef
Hungry after such a long walk? You might like to enter here! Just to gather your forces a little bit, because the tour is not over yet! Anyway the Abbesses subway station is not far from here, so you'll reach your hotel room quite soon!
Boulanger et Patissier / Baker and Pastry Chef On this crossroads: Rue Garreau / Rue Ravignan / Rue des 3 Frères |
The “I love you” wall stands at the center of the Abbesses garden, and it was created by two artists as a rendezvous location for lovers and a lasting monument to eternal adoration.
“The bursts of color on the fresco represent the pieces of a broken heart, the heart of a humanity so often torn apart and which the wall tries to gather together.” (Frederic Baron)
The "I Love You" Wall |
The "I Love You" Wall |
This subway station is the terminus point for our walk on Montmartre. I am sure that there are many things to discover in such a wonderful place, but for just an afternoon, the walk was quite substantial! The evening was about to begin, and Quartier Latin / The Latin Quarter was waiting for us!