The Streets of Montmartre

Today I slept in until about 9am then got up, had breakfast, then got dressed and ready for the day.  I met Nikki and Ilia at the Madeleine metro stop and we headed up to Montmartre together.  We got off at the bottom of the hill at Place Pigalle, also known as the Redlight District in Paris.

I expected it to be slightly shocking and the area certainly delivered.  There was a section of about four blocks where old-cabarets-turned-strip-clubs fought for attention between the flashing neon lights in the windows of sex shops and exotic lingerie shops played peek-a-boo out amidst the gaudy attention grabbing signs, posters, and lights.  This is also, of course, the location of the infamous Moulin Rouge.  The establishment is now nothing but a watered-down, overpriced dinner show for naive tourists and nothing like its former glamorous, seedy, absinthe serving, twenty-four/seven rager self.

After passing through this area we started the trek up the hill, weaving between small streets, staircases, and a few level squares and parks.  We eventually ended up at the Place du Tertre, a small square right near Sacre-Coeur that is famous for it's street artists.  It's the best place in Paris to buy paintings of the city, but unfortunately I couldn't find anything I was willing to buy.  The only things I could afford were small 4x6 sized canvases that cost almost 40 euros.  Anything bigger costs much closer to a 100 euros, depending of the medium and quality.


After passing through here we headed up to the Sacre-Coeur.  We walked through the basilica, which was lovely and very eastern orthodox.  I was actually quite surprised by the byzantine-style mosaics and high white domes.  It was interesting to see this old fashioned art contrast with the modern stained glass windows.  We weren't allowed to take pictures inside, and it was almost too crowded to even try, so I don't have any of what the interior looks like, but the outside was definitely beautiful.

We ended up slowing making our way down the large stairs and lawns in front of the basilica.  The views of the city were beautiful and there was a lot going on in the area today.  There were gypsies trying to con tourists out of their money, hawkers selling fake ray-bans and burberry purses, a harpist, tourists taking pictures, locals sunbathing, an old man playing a violin, and plenty of other people and things to see.

Once we finally made our way to the bottom we stopped in a few stores nearby to do some browsing and shopping.  Eventually we stopped for a late lunch at a place selling crêpes where we sat and talked while watching the Olympics on the tv until about 3pm.  Then I headed back to the Latin Quarter while Nikki and Ilia went to the Louvre.


I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening doing homework, making dinner, and hanging out here.  It ended up raining most of the late evening so even if I had wanted to go out, the rain would've discouraged me from having anything but a relaxing Sunday evening at home.