Our latest video, the 2nd in a two part series, will be taking us on a stroll of Montmartre, another beautiful area of Paris, but with a much different feel than the rest of the city. Montmartre is located in the north of the city above Les Grands Boulevards and the Opera. Incorporated late into the expanding 19th arrondissement of Paris, the neighborhood was able to retain its quaint, village-like atmosphere. Nowadays, Montmartre is a lively bohemian center, making it an interesting stop on any Paris trip.
This is the second of our two-part series on Montmartre, so if you haven’t yet, I suggest you watch the first part of our video tour of Montmartre, Paris.
Video Tour of Montmartre, Paris, France – Part 2(6:12)
Tracking Artists in Montmartre
If you’re looking for art, the Place de Tertre is an art hotspot for tourists. Places where famous artists lived can be found scattered on the hill. Keep a look out for plaques on some of the buildings and you may come across 54 rue Lepic, where Vincent Van Gogh lived with his brother on the second floor, or 49 rue Gabrielle where Pablo Picasso live when he first came to Paris. Other former artist homes are not labeled, such as the little houses along the Allée des Brouillards where Renoir lived (#6) with his family in the 1890s. If you think you might like to take home some art, you can browse different artists’ works at the Carre d’Artistes, a sort of ‘art market’ at 16 rue Yvonne le Tac.
The Bateau Lavoir – 8 Rue Garreau
A must stop for any art lovers is the Bateau Lavoir in Place Emile Goudeau. It was converted into art studios in the 1880s. It was here that the future master artists such as Picasso, Braque and Matisse worked. Picasso painted his first cubist painting here, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. Sadly, much of the original building was burnt down in 1970, but on rue Burq, you’ll come across a little park where you can see the side of the old Bateau Lavoir.
Accommodations in Montmartre, Paris
If you’d like to better experience how the artists of the past lived in the area, you should skip the hotel and book one of the many vacation rentals or longer-term furnished apartments that New York Habitat has to offer in Montmartre. There’s no better way to enjoy an authentic Parisian experience.
Consider this 1-bedroom furnished rental (PA-2821) is located in the midst of Montmartre, Paris, close to the Place des Abbesses. The apartment is situated on the ground floor, and has views of Notre Dame and the Pantheon.
Or maybe this 2-bedroom furnished apartment in Montmartre, Paris (PA-2332) which is on 4 different levels. This is a laundry apartment, which also includes a terrace, a fully equipped kitchen including a dishwasher and the convenience of 4 bathrooms.
Or check out this cozy furnished studio apartment in Montmartre, Paris(PA-1222). This apartment is also on the ground floor and is furnished with a double bed, cable TV and of course a fully-equipped kitchen, perfect for suiting one’s desires to live as a true Parisian.
Shopping Scene in Montmartre
Montmartre still remains artsy in nature today, evident in the many fashionable and eccentric boutiques. A stroll along rue Durantin provides great window-shopping if you’re interested in up and coming designers. You’ll also find many curious antique shops here and there selling anything from industrial clocks to deer antler coat-racks. Rue Vieuville also has a cluster of cool shops including design shop Spree at number 16.
If you are staying in an apartment in Montmartre you are lucky to have some of the city’s finest food shops at your doorstep! Pick up fresh farm cheese, seasonal fruits and vegetables and some amazing baked goods on several market streets depending on where you’re staying (rue Lepic, rue des Abbesses, rue des Martyrs, rue Poteau and rue Daremont). If you’re staying near rue des Abbesses, don’t miss the Grenier a Pain at 38 rue des Abbesses, winner of the prestigious ‘Best Baguette in Paris’ contest.
You will also find a variety of authentic French restaurants and trendy cafés and bars dotting the Butte. Some of our favorites are:
La Mascotte on rue des Abbesses (52 rue des Abbesses75018) – this is the spot for seafood lovers and the restaurant is a favorite of the locals – always a good sign!
Le Templier on rue des Abbesses (9 rue des Abbesses75018) – a perfect spot for lunch, this cozy café has friendly service and a great variety of dishes to suit all palates.
Le Miroir on rue des Martyrs (94 Rue des Martyrs 75018) – try the highly recommended Le Miroir, serving up original dishes in truly Parisian bistro ambiance.
Au Grain de Folie on rue de la Vieuville (24 Rue de la Vieuville 75018) – on the tiny street just behind metro Abbesses you can find one of the city’s oldest vegetarian restaurants.
L’Eté en Pente Douce on rue Muller (23 Rue Muller 75018) – just down the set of stairs east of Sacre Coeur you will find a hidden oasis from the mobs of tourists, the quaint little square at the corner of rue Muller is great for people watching at the Ete en Pente Douce – a reasonably priced restaurant with something to please every appetite.
It has been fun showing you around this great neighborhood. I hope that you have learned a thing or two from our tour of Montmartre. There is most definitely more to see and do here, as well. If I’ve missed any of your favorite Montmartre secrets, please share them with us in the comments box below.
Be sure to check out Part 1 of our two-part series on Montmartre. In Part 1, we take you to the Sacré Coeur, the Moulin Rouge, other cabaret hotspots and give you some tips on nightlife in Montmartre.
We have enjoyed touring around Montmartre with you. If you’ve had a good time on this tour, be sure to check out our other videos where you can find more travel tips and tours of many of the wonderful neighborhoods of Paris.
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