18e (Montmartre)

Montmartre (Mountain of the Martyr) owes this name to the martyrdom of Saint Denis, who was decapitated on the hill around 250 AD. Denis was the Bishop of Paris and is now known as Saint Denis, patron saint of the Kingdom of France (wikipedia)

Sacré Coeur, Moulin Rouge, Les Puces Flea Market

Montmartre is removed from Central Paris, but it’s white Cathedral Sacre Couer up on a hill is visible from much of Paris. This artist’s district is familiar from film, An American in Paris, Moulin Rouge and recently Amelie. The streets are quaint and picturesque, many situated on hills.

It is not a glitzy area of Paris, some areas are clogged with Souveneir Shops

18th arrondissement of Paris

Districts (Quarters) within the 18th arrondissement

Quartier de Montmartre Montmartre
Quartier de Pigalle South Pigalle
Quartier de la Goutte-d’Or, a working-class neighborhood in the arrondissement
Quartier de La Chapelle La Chapelle

What we like about the 18e:

Naturalia 37 Rue du Poteau
O.K. it’s just a European health food chain, but I discovered it in enchanting Monmartre, just across the street from a (blue door) building where VanGogh spent some time. I’ve bought organic apples, cloth grocery bags, and these WONDERFUL miniature dark fruit-grain-seed-apricot bread-loaves that I would travel the world for. There are many Naturalia around Paris

Le Grenier
Grenier à Pain 38 Rue des Abbesses
There is always a line at this Boulangier acclaimed for it’s baguettes. I order the same thing here every visit.
The conversation goes as so:
Bon Jour Madame (Good Morning Madam)
Deux Bagettes Cereal, Sil Vous Plait (2 Seeded Bagetes, PLEASE)
et une Financier Fambroise (and a Raspberry Pound Cake)
et une Madeleine Pistaste (and a Pistachio Madeleine)
Sil Vous Pait (THANK YOU)
and although the locals in line are not impressed, she seems delighted
and smiles, says Merci and hands me my bag
Top 10 Bakeries in Paris

http://www.montmartre-secret.com/2017/10/tombe-de-jeanne-moreau.cimetiere-montmartre.html
Moreaus graveCOLOR

Cimetiere de Montmartre 20 Avenue Rachel
This subterianian cemetery recalls Parisians no longer of this world. This serene spot allows us to appreciate the history and culture of this place.
Culinary: Marie-Antoine Carême
Film: François Truffaut, Jeanne Moreau
Literature: Alexandre Dumas, Stendhal
Music: Hector Berlioz, Jacques Offenbach
Art: Edgar Degas
Science: Léon Foucault

Pathé Wepler 140 Boulevard de Clichy
We always go to a first run feature film Christmas evening. This large multiplex offers English versions of films. Buy your ticket in advance and arrive early
(I’ve seen Life of Pi, Spiderman-No Way Home, The Wolf of Wall Street)
This district is rich is cinematic history and film houses (TimeOut)

Sacre-Coeur
Basilica of the Sacré Cœur
This landmark located atop the butte Montmartre, is the highest point in the city. On the streets west of the church is a circus of tourist vendors, shops and artists. (Place du Tetre)

Rue Lepic
This ancient winding road is one our favorite streets in Paris
It is definitely not the Champs Ellysees, although souvenir shops may be more proficient here, there is a seedy-patina which we appreciate in this area of history, film and art. A walk up and down these hills is charming and distinct from other neighborhoods in Paris.

If you search, you will find the the fountain where Denis the Bishop of Paris (martyred by being beheaded by a sword) washed-off his head, before carrying it (10K) to his final resting place. Another account of this Christian tradition has his corpse being thrown into the Seine, but recovered and buried later that night by his converts

Nearby Pigalle (this red-light district referred to as “Pig-Alley” by G.I.s in World War II) is a trendy neighborhood experiencing a renaissance.

Without reservation, we return to Montmartre each year.

Montmartre Walk 10 Things to Do in Paris (Time)
The historical district of Montmartre A View on Cities
Montmartre Secret For Lovers of Montmartre

18th arrondissement of Paris (wikipedia)
Travel Guide (wikitravel)