Hi guys,

I wrote an article last summer about a city called Koper in Slovenia.
I ended this post with a video of a young busker (called “Klemen”) playing on “Tito Square“, in the old city center.
He was playing tunes of the soundtrack of the french movie “Le famuleux destin d’amélie poulain“.
This movie was released in 2001 and was a huge hit in France and many others countries.
The story of that movie took place in “Montmartre“, an old district in the 18th district of Paris.
I thought it would be fun to write my first article about Paris if I started with Montmartre.
It would a nice bridge between Slovenia and France.
Last summer, my man “Klemen” (the busker guy) transported me to Paris with his music.
Now, I will transport you (and him) to Montmartre.

First and foremost, let’s start with the ugly truth about touristy places such as Montmartre.
This is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Paris, no doubt about it.
Thousands of tourists come to visit Montmartre and its famous “Sacré-coeur” basilica every day.
This place is almost always packed with tourists.
The problem is that all professional scammers know that too.
If you are unlucky and cross their path, they will scam you HARD.
Many scammers will grabe your wrist (without asking you) and tie a “friendship bracelet” (made of strings) that is worthless.
When they are finished, they will ask you to pay 5€ or more. Too late guys, you already got scammed !

They are dozens of scammers in Montmartre. I could go on and on with other common scams in Montmartre.
But I think you get the point now. Watch your back, watch your bag and do not sign any fake petitions.
Do not talk to anyone, especially if a person come to you and ask you if you speak English (->Red Alert).
Keep your purse inside your jacket, your hands in your pocket and don’t let anyone scam you.

You probably don’t know it, but there is a condition/desease called the “Paris Syndrome“.
Many victims of this condition are japanese tourists who end up in the hospital after a psychologic schock.
This schock is caused by the huge gap between the good image that they had of Paris (Clean, Romantic, historic, Paris of 1920s etc…)
and the real Paris of today (not always clean, a lot of scammers, robbers stealing tourists etc…).
Dozens of tourists end up in the hospital every year because they suffer from this “Paris Syndrome”.
-> Anxiety, tachycardia, sweating or feelings of persecution (after being victim of aggression or hostility from others) etc …
You didn’t know that, did you ?

That was the DARK SIDE of Montmartre.
Now, let me show you the BRIGHT SIDE.

First and foremost, the “Sacré-Coeur” basilica. Absolutly beautiful!
The construction of the basilica started in 1875 and it was completed in the 1920s.
The basilica is situated on a hillock which is about 130 meters above sea level and its dome is more than 83 meters high.
Therefore, this famous monument is very visible and can be seen from pretty far away.

To go up there, you have 2 choices :
-> Take the stairs or take the funicular (downhill, on the left).
The funicular takes only 1 min and 30 sec to go to the top of the hillock.
It is the same price as a Métro ticket.
If you already have a day pass or a week pass for the Métro of Paris, you don’t need to pay a ticket.

Once you’ll get to the top, the reward will be great.
You will have a great view of over Paris if the weather is clear.

Now, let’s go inside the basilica. Beautiful Monument!
Not as beautiful as the Cathedral of “Notre-Dame” but it is still very beautiful.
Go inside and enjoy. Only drawback maybe -> the crowd.
I recommend you to go there early if you want to avoid the crowd and enjoy a more quiet atmosphere.

Let’s continue and walk behind the basilica.
If you walk 5 minutes, you will find a big square called “Place du Tertre“.

This square is very animated. A lot of shops, restaurants, bars and dozens of artists.
A vast majority of these artists are sketch artists drawing portraits.
Some of them are very good, others not at all. Watch out !
If an artist ask you if you’d like him to draw your portrait, you must first talk or negociate the price.
Otherwise, you might end up paying much more than you thought you’d pay.
Other advise, go around and find an artist already drawing a portrait and that you think is drawing well.
Wait untill he is finished and ask if he/she can draw your portrait … and of course, discuss the price.

Even if you do not want your portrait to be drawn or buy paintings, this square is a lot of fun if you wander around.
For those of you guys who have a sweet tooth, I recommend you to buy something sweet at the pastry shop “Carette“.
They sell good stuffs (a bit expensive also because the area is very touristy).

About 100 meters away from “Place du Tertre”, there is a very nice Salvator Dali exhibition called Dali Paris.
Those of you who love arts have to go there. This art exposition is located in a street called “Rue Poulbot“.
The area around Dali Paris is really nice. Much less people and beautiful paved streets.

Now my friends, let’s go away from the crowd and all the tourists.
That is the magic of Montmartre -> 90 % of the people visit the same places.
If you walk 200 meters away from the crowd, there is a good chance that you might end up finding hidden gems.
I give you one exemple -> “Parc Marcel-Bleustein-Blanchet“.
This beautiful park is situated just behind the basilica. Many tourists don’t even notice it.

To go there, you have to go all around the basilica, to the right.
It is very funny because most of tourists do not see this park.
This park is very quiet and from there, you’ll have a nice view of the basilica without the crowd around you.
Go take a stroll in this park, sit on a bench and relax.

One last insider tips -> Go see the Vineyard of Montmartre.
Many people don’t know there is a vineyard in Montmartre.
It is very uncanny to find a vineyard in the heart of a big city.
I recommend you to go there and have a look at it.
Since most of tourists don’t know about this vineyard, you won’t find tourists there (or very very few).

 

My tips for Montmartre:

1/ Avoid Scammers (they are everywhere).
2/ Go visit the Sacré-Coeur basilica (free of charge).
3/ Go to the top of the dome (300 steps + there’s a fee).
4/ Wander around in Place du Tertre.
5/ Go see the Salvador Dali Exhibition.
6/ Go relax in Parc Marcel-Bleustein-Blanchet.
7/ Go see the Vineyard of Montmartre.
8/ Take the Funicular to go to the top of the hillock.