Montmartre – The bohemian heart of Paris

*Article contains affiliate links

Step into the legendary Montmartre, where history, art and romance merge into an unforgettable experience. Montmartre has inspired world-famous artists and the history of the area fascinates tourists to immerse themselves in the interesting secrets of Montmartre. What would a trip to Paris be without a visit to romantic Montmartre? Spend a day with me in Montmartre and immerse yourself in the bohemian heart of Paris, and pick up the best tips and sights!

Montmartre – the creative soul of Paris

Montmartre is located in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. The area has been a source of inspiration for many artists, including Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso. Montmartre was once a separate village outside Paris until it was incorporated into the city in 1860. It was known for its vineyards, large windmills and, especially, its free-spirited atmosphere, which was different from the rest of Paris. Montmartre was the perfect environment for creativity to flourish and even today the area exudes a bohemian charm that is unparalleled.

Morning at Sacré-Cœur – the queen of views

A day in Montmartre is best started with the sunrise over the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Perched atop the Montmartre hill, this white church dominates the landscape and offers stunning views across all of Paris. Climbing its dome (300 steps!) rewards you with stunning views.

This Byzantine-style church was officially built as a symbol of peace and national reconciliation after the Franco-Prussian War. However, many locals, including leftists and the working class, never accepted it as such. The reasons for this include political reasons, as the church was built shortly after the 1871 Paris Commune, a short-lived workers’ government opposed to the ruling system. This led to the deaths of thousands of working-class people. Montmartre was one of the rebel strongholds, and many saw the construction of the church on this site as a project of the religious right and a monument to the victory of the conservatives and the church. However, many Parisians saw the Sacré-Cœur mainly as a monument to the fall of the Commune and a kind of symbol of supremacy due to its location, rather than as a sign of peace and reconciliation.

Sacré-Cœur is now a beloved attraction and entry is free. I recommend exploring the surroundings of the church both from afar and up close, from above and below. The morning light makes the church magical, so get there early. Alternatively, sunset is also a wonderful experience at the top of the hill!

A walk along Rue de l’Abrevoir – a picture-postcard gem

Montmartre is best explored on foot and I really like it. I love exploring places at my own pace and admiring the scenery and beautiful buildings. I recommend walking along Rue de l’Abrevoir, perhaps the most beautiful street in all of Paris, lined with old stone houses and greenery. Don’t miss the famous La Maison Rose, a pink café that has been immortalized in countless paintings and, nowadays, Instagram photos.

Did you know that La Maison Rose is pink because the owner wanted to do something to make the building stand out from the other gray stone houses in the area? He wanted to create a warm atmosphere that would attract artists, and the color made the café look impressive, romantic, and memorable. Pretty well thought out, because you can’t miss this building on the street or in photos!

Artists’ Market Place du Tertre – living history

Next, head to Place du Tertre, where artists paint portraits and landscapes right before your eyes. This square has been a center for art since the 18th century and the atmosphere is still just as present and tangibly inspiring. Here you can still sit in a café on the edge of the square and watch the artists at work, and if we hadn’t just been hit by a gust of rain and strong wind, we would have stayed longer to admire the square and its hustle and bustle. And hey, if you’re looking for a different and unique souvenir, order your own portrait or buy some local art.

Lunch at the legendary Le Consulat

For lunch (or even a little late lunch), you can sit down at the classic Le Consulat restaurant, where Monet, Picasso and Hemingway once dined. It serves traditional French cuisine in a charming setting. We only managed to snap a few photos of the front of this iconic restaurant, as we had already had lunch elsewhere. I remembered this place a bit late, but maybe someone else will manage to include this experience in their own trip.

Montmartre is full of different restaurants and cafes, so there is a choice for every need. For a little snack, I recommend the crepe, as they are the best in Paris!

Afternoon treat: Café des Deux Moulins

Speaking of cafes, this one is a must-see. If you’ve seen the movie Amélie, you’ll be familiar with this café. Café des Deux Moulins is like a time travel to the early 2000s, full of the spirit of the movie and delicious pastries. The perfect place to rest before the evening. When I walked around Paris, I felt like I was constantly inside a movie or series. I also experienced the same feeling during my first trip to London and San Francisco. It’s funny to walk around the same place that you’ve only stared at from behind a screen before, right? If this café doesn’t make your taste buds throb, you can also sit down and relax in the other lovely cafés that the district is full of!

The magic of the evening: Moulin Rouge and the glamour of cabaret

The day culminates at the legendary Moulin Rouge, where a show full of energy, dance and French glamour awaits behind the red velvet curtains. This cabaret has been entertaining audiences since 1889, and its charm has not faded.

The Moulin Rouge is strongly intertwined with the history of Montmartre and Paris. As I mentioned earlier at the beginning of the article, Montmartre was once known for its liberal atmosphere. Cabaret was a big part of this liberalism, as the wealthier men who worked and lived in the central Paris area would sneak out of their daily lives to Montmartre in the evening to watch the cabaret girls. In the past, it was not appropriate for women to show any skin, so cabaret was a fascinating thing for many men. The performances did not show much bare skin, but the small part of the upper thigh that was visible from under the skirt was interesting enough to attract both the common people and the city’s elite.

Montmartre is more than a neighborhood

Montmartre is guaranteed to be an experience for all the senses. It is a place where interesting history meets the present and where you can enjoy, admire and feel the atmosphere. I loved spending a relaxed day walking around and looking around and because I was very interested in the history of the area and wanted to dive deeper than the surface, I grabbed a walking tour of Montmartre with a Parisian guide. The tour was practically private, because there were just the two of us and one girl. I was definitely a guide’s nightmare, because I kept asking questions and taking pictures here and there, but I didn’t want to miss anything. I like to plan trips in advance and look up information a little bit, but you just can’t always find all the information and it’s not always even available. Sometimes there is information that only locals can tell you. So if you want to get everything and a little more out of your day in Montmartre, grab this great walking tour with our wonderful Parisian guide!

HAVE YOU BEEN TO MONTMARTRE? WHAT DID YOU LIKE? SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES AND THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS! 🙂

<3: Tiina Johanna

Remember to follow me on Social media!
Instagram:@tiinaunderthecoconut
Facebook:Kookospalmun alla
Blogit.fi:Kookospalmun alla

*Photos: Tiina Johanna, blogger