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Visit of Paris: the Montmartre hillock

A walk in the heart of the village of Montmartre, the most famous and typical place of Paris

Montmartre has been a sacred place for over a thousand years. In Gallo-Roman times, there were already two temples on the hill, one of which was dedicated to Mars: "Mons Martis" (Mount of Mars). This could explain the origin of the name Montmartre, but another explanation could be the Mount of Martyrs: legend has it that around the year 250, Saint Denis was beheaded there with his companions Rusticus and Eleutherus. After being beheaded, Saint Denis got up, picked up his head and walked to his grave. Following the defeat of 1870, a public subscription was opened in 1876 to finance the construction of the Basilica of the National Vow of the Sacred Heart. At the beginning of the 19th century, many artists, poets, but especially painters such as Maurice Utrillo, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Picasso... left their mark on the district.

Interest: ratinggood (1 user)
Difficulty: difficulty
Duration: 4 h.
Departure point (Google Maps)

Basilica of the Sacred Heart

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Basilica of the Sacred Heart
The basilica was built after the defeat of 1870 to atone for the mistakes made. It was consecrated in 1919. It was financed by donations, often modest. The names of the donors are inscribed on the walls. Note that amateurs can register for the night of adoration. Every evening after 10:30 pm people stay in the buildings and take turns praying for an hour during the night so as not to break the prayer.

Funicular of Montmartre

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Funicular of Montmartre
The funicular provides access to the foot of the Sacré-Coeur. The two other possible accesses are the stairs or the path that winds through the park.

Panorama of the Sacré-Coeur

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Panorama of the Sacré-Coeur
You can visit the crypt and the dome of the Sacré-Coeur, which gives a great view of all of Paris. The combined price is about 8€.

Saint-Pierre de Montmartre

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Saint-Pierre de Montmartre
This church is one of the oldest in Paris. In 1534, Saint Ignatius of Loyola founded the Jesuit order here. It almost disappeared several times but was finally restored. The church faces the Place Jean Marais.

Place des tertres

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Place des tertres
The most famous square in Montmartre. Many cafés and restaurants line the square. Painters make the portrait of the (very) numerous tourists passing by.

Restaurant la mère Catherine

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Restaurant la mère Catherine
Founded in 1793 by Catherine Lenmoine, it is said that in 1814, after the defeat of Napoleon, the Cossacks are in Paris. They order a drink by shouting Bistro! Bistro! (fast!, fast!). Thus was born on the hillock the ancestor of our bistros.

Norvins Street

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Norvins Street
In the background, the restaurant "la bonne Franquette", formerly "Aux billards en bois", its garden served as a model for Van Gogh for his painting "La guinguette" painted in 1886 and exhibited in the Louvre.

Museum of Monmartre

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Museum of Monmartre
You can find the Montmartre museum at 12 rue Corot. The museum is located at an address where many painters such as Renoir or Utrillo and many others have stayed. The route continues in the direction of the vineyards of Montmartre.

Cabaret Le Lapin agile

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Cabaret Le Lapin agile
Formerly known as "Le cabaret des assassins", the cabaret takes its name from the songwriter André Gill who designed the sign: a rabbit leaping out of a pot ("Lapin à Gill" - or "Là, peint A. Gill").

Moulin Radet

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Moulin Radet
The Radet mill can be seen from the street. A restaurant forms the corner of the street. The Moulin de la Galette is located a little further down the street but is part of a private property and is not very visible from the street.

The Montmartre of Amelie Poulain

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The Montmartre of Amelie Poulain
The café des Deux Moulins at 15 rue Lepic was used for the filming of Amélie Poulain, the famous movie by director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. This is the café where Amélie worked. Even today, many tourists are photographed in front of it.

The Moulin Rouge

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The Moulin Rouge
The tour ends at the famous Moulin Rouge in Paris. You can get the metro back on the square.

🚶‍ Practical information 🌳

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