Traveling to Paris is a dream for many people because it is a beautiful city that has a lot to offer us. From terraces on the banks of the Seine to its incredible Eiffel Tower or places that are part of history like Notre Dame. But it also has beautiful neighborhoods that you have to visit in complete tranquility to enjoy all its corners, such as the famous Montmartre neighborhood.
Montmartre is located in the XNUMXth arrondissement of Paris, an area that is especially known for its hill, where the Basilica of the Sacred Heart is located. It is one of the many tourist areas in the city of Paris, so we are going to see everything that can be seen in this bohemian neighborhood of Paris.
The history of Montmartre
This Parisian district of Montmartre is a former French commune that belongs to the department of the Seine. In 1860 it joined Paris as the district we speak of, the XVIII. This neighborhood was a very bohemian place during the XNUMXth century where many artists lived. It was a place that also had a bad reputation for the large number of cabarets and brothels that there were. Such important artists as Edith Piaf, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh or Toulouse Lautrec lived in this neighborhood, among many others. It was the bohemian and artistic atmosphere that would really make this neighborhood of Paris famous, since it is not the one with the most monuments. Although that bohemian touch has waned over the years, today it is still a tourist neighborhood in the city.
The Sacred Heart Basilica
One of the first things we should see is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart that sits atop the Montmartre hill. To get to the top we can take the Montmartre funicular which is like a tram that takes us to the area of the basilica and to the place where painters meet. Do not forget that this neighborhood is still a very picturesque and bohemian place. It is also possible to go directly up the stairs in front of the basilica, with gardens and from which we can see the panoramic view over the rooftops of Paris. It is a place where people usually sit and contemplate the image of Paris. The basilica draws attention for its white color and for its Roman-Byzantine style. It was completed in the early twentieth century and today it is one of the most visited places in the city. This hill was for a long time a place considered sacred.
Place du tertre
Around the basilica there are some interesting streets. Rue du Chevalier de la Barre is a small street from which you can see the basilica and in which we will also find small shops in which to buy beautiful souvenirs from Paris, so it is a mandatory stop. Near this street is also the Place du Tertre, which is the place where painters used to meet already in the XIX century. Today it is still a place where many painters put their works on sale, as it is still very touristy and visited. For many it is like a souvenir to buy a work by some of these artists in this famous square.
The Rue de l'Abreuvoir
This street has recently appeared in the series 'Emily in Paris' and everyone has liked it, but it is a street that was already a very touristy point, since it is considered one of the most charming in the capital French. This street that is also near the Sagrado Corazón is another point that we cannot miss. We can also make a little stop at a place like the Maison Rose cafe, the place where the protagonists enjoy a fun night. It's another iconic place in Paris and you'll agree that charm is hard to match.
Moulin Rouge and Boulevard Clichy
Today this boulevard has sex shops and stores of this type, so it does not seem as elegant a place as centuries ago. However here we can find the famous Moulin Rouge, which is another of the most photographed parts of all of Paris. Its red color will catch your attention and the fact that it is the most famous cabaret in the area, that artists such as Toulouse Lautrec already visited it to see the famous can can dance. On the other hand, nearby is the 'Café des 2 moulins' in which the protagonist of Amelie worked in the film. If you liked it and want to remember the places that are in it, you can stop at this cafe. You will realize that in Paris coffee shops are a whole culture.