Montmartre – the bohemian side of Paris!

I was very curious about this quaint area of Paris that is very rich in artistic history. We had never been there before and were ready to explore. Now, Montmartre is always on our Paris itinerary!

If Paris is on your bucket list for the future, you probably will see the obvious iconic sites like the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Notre Dame and the Champs-Élysées …but let me tell you about an area that is not as well known. It’s the historic district of Montmartre and it is full of charm and character. This northern section of the city is a large hill in Paris’s 18th arrondissement which is almost 500 feet high.

We wandered the cobblestone streets and marveled at the bohemian vibe. This hill has breathtaking views and is the highest point in all of Paris!  There are fascinating legends and lots of colorful history in Montmartre.

As we walked to the top of this steep hill we finally saw the breathtaking Basilica of Sacre-Coeur as it sits like a crown overlooking Paris. Ron and I love visiting historical churches and the Basilica Sacre-Coeur is no exception. You can see this entirely white landmark from all parts of the metropolis. From a distance, the stark white domes are powerful and super imposing. It is dedicated to the heart of Christ and is an important place to worship in the capital. It’s truly a masterpiece of grace and grandeur!

We were there on a Sunday and witnessed a beautiful service and heard a choir performance exclusively by Nuns. The Basilica is based in Roman architecture and took over 40 years to build. During WWII, 13 bombs are said to have landed on the church, but resulted in no casualties, which lent the place special status among the local people. For just 5 Euros you can get a workout and climb the 250 feet dome, and it is worth every step. Or do like most tourist do and enjoy simply sitting on the massive steps in front of Sacre-Coeur that overlooks miles and miles of the city. It is absolutely one of the most spectacular views in all of Paris…and is not to be missed!

Just another treasure to discover in beautiful Paree!