Magical Montmartre

This and other posts are part of the "Paris Tour" party on Anita's blog, "Castles, Crowns and Cottages." The links are at the bottom of her lovely post HERE.) 

Some of the photos in this post aren't showing "full" on the blog -- need to change the template. But if you click on them, you can see them full-size in the blogger slide show. 


Montmartre.

 

My guidebook says that "Montmartre and art are inseparable." Surely that was true in the late 1800s and earlier years of the 20th century when artists like Picasso, Renoir, and van Gogh were part of the Montmartre scene, along with numerous singers, dancers, and writers.

I visited Montmartre in 2009. It was fun. And if I was going back by myself, I may not have returned. 

But this year, I was with Rick. And, I had another reason.

 

If you love Paris, you must visit the beautiful blog, Peter's Paris, where Swedish ex-pat Peter Olson, who has lived in Paris for many, many years, takes readers on a journey of the City of Light in a history-packed photo-perfect series of posts that make one feel almost as though they had arrived themselves.

When I contacted Peter about our trip, we decided we'd meet (I'd be happy just for lunch!). He asked our interests and I told him art and music, and he suggested a walk around Montmartre. It was new to Rick and after I saw it through Peter's tour, it was new to me, too. (Peter volunteers for a group that offers free guided walks through Paris. For more information, go HERE.

Peter met us at the Metro stop. I'm sure he was quite familiar with it -- he'd posted about the area often on his blog. Peter volunteers as a tour guide for a Parisian organization that offers complimentary walking tours.The first thing he pointed out to us was a wall with the phrase "I love you" written in many languages. 

It was here that I spotted this orange cat that looked like the Marmelade Gypsy. It was later that I learned that on the day we were in Montmartre, Gypsy began his downward slide.

Peter led us through steep streets...

...through areas with charming shops and restaurants.

 

We even noticed this one!

Apparently "Michigan" is a French name and the artist had his own atelier in the area!

We passed through sites featured in the movie "Amalie." One such spot was this theatre lobby, where Amalie went to the movies.

(Once other tourists realized Peter knew what he was talking about, they stopped and asked him where Amalie did this or that. Peter, being gracious and lovely, certainly helped them out!

 

We saw spots we never would have found on our own, like a high-placed sign indicating that composer Eric Satie lived there.

 

At the Musee Montmartre, a plaque indicated many of the famous past residents.

 We didn't go in, but we did enjoy the sign!

 

I couldn't help but note the beautiful wisteria growing on the walls of the city. (Click for full view)

Here's another view!

We also passed by Montmartre's vineyard.

Peter said the wine is pretty bad -- but people buy it as a public service! And the area is lovely!

I was fond of the charming buildings. This pink maison was calling my name!

 

As a Van Gogh fan, I was delighted to see the plaque indicating where the artist and his brother had briefly lived.

We also saw the beautiful Sacre Cour (in the background here)...

...and enjoyed the views from the top of the butte Montmartre.

Peter and Rick immediately bonded, sharing a strong interest in music and a bit in cycling. Sometimes I would just walk behind them and smile!

After walking about for rather awhile, we decided it was time for lunch. Peter chose a restaurant that was perfect. I had my snails (I was dying for snails) and we ordered what we decided was one of our favorite meals in Paris. Peter graciously bought champagne! Never before had it tasted so wonderful!

Then it was back to the streets for more sites, like the movie theatre next door to director Claude LaLouche's home... 

 

... Au Lapin Agile, the nightclub frequented by artists like Picasso, who paid for their bill with their paintings and later notables like Julia Child.

 

And the celebrated Moulin Rouge.

Now noted for its flashy tourist shows, the original "moulin" or windmill is also on Montmartre -- although my photos were truly not dazzling.

I think Peter knew I liked cemeteries. He also discovered that one of Rick's favorite guitar composers was Fernando Sor, who is buried in the Montmartre Cemetery.

So, of course we visited. It was a fascinating place, with beautiful stones and monuments.

The entry was a handsome garden, which looked especially welcoming on a gloomy day.

Although the Pierre Lachaise cemetery is better known, there is a considerable roster of well known persons buried there, among them Jacques Offenbach.

Offenbach was best known for the music associate with the can-can.

Composer Hector Berlioz is also there. 

 

Did you know the fellow who invented the saxophone was Albert Sax? He's buried there, too!

Of course we were there during the rain. Peter and Rick investigated names, despite the showers.

This cat had a better idea!

This may have been my favorite photo of the various tombstones. It wasn't for anyone famous, but she was simply lovely. (Click for full view)

Of course, we had to part. But while we met as online blogger acquaintances, we parted as friends. (Click for full view)

And the memories we shared will certainly live in our hearts for many years to come! Thanks, Peter! (For a Paris treat, don't forget to check Peter's Paris right HERE. His label list on the right is indispensable.)

Lessons from Montmartre

Montmartre has a lot of steep hills. If you are mobility challenged, you may want to rethink a visit. You don't walk great distances, but you walk "tall" ones!

The artists in the Place du Tertre, a famous tourist spot I covered in THIS POST, aren't really the best. Enjoy it for fun, but don't let them suck you in (unless you have quite the budget!)

Unless you have an aversion to cemeteries, the Montmartre Cemetery is really quite a special and peaceful place. Check the map to find famous folk.

Although I didn't encounter them on either of my visits, I'm told to beware of pickpockets in this area.

Photos aren't allowed in Sacre Coeur, but it is a handsome church and worth a peek.

Consider a picnic if you don't want a restaurant or cafe lunch! The steps of Sacre Coeur are a fine place to stop with great views!

DON'T FORGET! 

As far as I can tell, this is officially my 800th post. A drawing continues throughout my Paris/Holland/England posts, so please enter with your comments!