Montmartre+2016

Montmartre is a city located in Paris’ 18th arrondissement. It is located on a hill approximately 130 meters (426 feet) high in the northern part of the city. It is known as a nightclub district and also for the white domed Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur on its summit. Archaeological excavations show that the hill was occupied as early as the 2nd century. Saint Denis was decapitated here for preaching to Gallo Romans in 250 AD. Because of its height and ability to see a great distance from the top, it was often a military vantage point. During the 1590 French Wars of Religion, Henry IV placed his artillery at the top to fire down to the city below. Russian soldiers occupied Montmartre during the battle of Paris in 1814. The Basilica of the Sacré Cœur was built on Montmartre from 1876 to 1919. Its white dome is a highly visible landmark in the city, and just below it, artists still set up their easels each day among the tables at the place du Tertre. Mostly a rural area with many farms, Montmartre became famous for its cafes, public dancing, and cabarets in the 19th century. The Moulin Rouge was founded in 1889 and became the birthplace of the French cancan. Pigalle was known as a red light district with adult shows, theaters and sex shops. At the beginning of the 20th century, many artists lived and worked in the area. These included Salvador Dali, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Henri de Toulouse Lautrec, Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh. They formed groups to discuss everyday topics and their work. Josephine Baker, an American born French dancer, lived here. For some the city was a place to forget about your problems and lose yourself in the fun, exciting atmosphere.

Some of the more notable places to visit are:
 * Artists gather at the Place du Tertre, known for the artists who paint tourists for pleasure (and also money)
 * the Espace Dalí, a museum dedicated to several of Salvador Dali’s masterpieces
 * the place Pigalle, known as a red light district, and the Moulin Rouge in the south
 * the cimetière de Montmartre, the Montmartre cemetery where many artists, writers, and composers have been buried
 * the funicular de Montmartre, a funicular railway one can use instead of the steps to ascend the hill and the Basilica
 * the Wall of Love in the Jehan Rictus garden square is a love themed wall. The phrase “I Love You” is written in 250 languages on individual tiles
 * the Martyrium of Saint Denis where a chapel was built for the Saint

Basilica of the Sacré Cœur Place du Tertre Funicular at Montmartre