Montmartre, the heart of Paris
If you wish to visit the most picturesque and bohemian Paris and the streets where the film Amélie was filmed, you have to go to Montmartre! Formerly called Mons Martyrium (‘Mount of Martyrs’), it is the highest natural place in Paris and the most visited. There is the famous Basilica Sacré Coeur, where you’ll have an impressive view of all Paris. This huge building built in limestone (which has the peculiararity of bleaching in air and rain water), is crowned by a large dome and surrounded by seven chapels. Inside the basilica there is the largest mosaic in the world, representing the Sacred Heart of Jesus and covering an area of 475 m2.
But this is not the only charm of Montmartre, known as the birthplace of Impressionists and intellectuals; Montmartre was home from the middle of the XIX of artists such as Johan Jongkind and Camille Pissarro. To feel the inspiration of these artists you should visit the Bateau Lavoir, a squalid block of buildings that is famous because at the turn of the 20th century a group of outstanding artists lived and rented artistic studios there. Notable painters that once lived there or used to meet there were; Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani, Paco Durri, Gauguin, Toulouse-Lautrec, Steinlen and Van Gogh.
At each bend, square or cobbled street, you can meet with artists in the middle of their latest creation. For example, in the famous Place du Tertre, painters and cartoonists draw you a portrait in only 5 minutes. You can have a drink in legendary cabarets such as Le Chat Noir (The Black Cat) or taverns like Le Lapin Agile (The Agile Rabbit).
To break free from the long and tiring climb of the Sacred Heart (about 300 steps); opt for the funicular, the only one in the whole of Paris. This is the preferred means of ascent by residents and tourists. Well known, it appears especially in many movies, in famous paintings and literature.
Do you want to create your own your outfits or simply want to select a piece of cloth? A single address: rue Saint Pierre! Located at the foot of the Butte Montmartre, Saint Pierre is the Mecca of the sale of fabric. There are many signs, including the oldest and best known the Marché Saint Pierre, offering a wide selection of fabrics of all types and prices to make your clothes or buy the latest haute couture fabric. This place is popular with Parisians, tourists and especially by the professionals of cinema, fashion designers and interior designers.
Finally, a curiosity that you can not afford to miss: the vineyard of the Montmartre. Yes, there is wine in Montmartre! It extracts about 1,500 bottles during the harvest in October and makes for a very popular festival. The next edition of the Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre will take place from 7th to 11th October 2009, 5 days of partying, dancing, wine tasting and gastronomy.
Do you want to soak up the true Parisian spirit of life? Do you want to discover the soul of the city of lights? Then do not hesitate a second and rent apartments in Paris which are not expensive and which will also enable you to visit this beautiful part of the city of lights even better.
