FAIRYTALE MONTMARTRE
When I climb hundreds of stairs and winding narrow streets to the top of Montmartre Hill I always feel like I’m in a fairy tale. Everything around is tiny, sweet, and gives you a feeling of coziness.
Before this part of the city became the artistic epicenter of nineteenth and twentieth-century Paris it was just a small village. You can still feel the soul of a picturesque village in Montmartre if you don’t follow the usual tourist routes.
I always start my walk around Montmartre at the Lamarck-Caulaincourt subway stop. The station has a picturesque single entry surrounded by two staircases ascending the hill of Montmartre. Once I get off the subway, I walk uphill the quiet streets of the authentic and less-touristy Montmartre.
First, I climb up the stairs to a paved road and the statue of the famous French singer Dalida. From there I take the charming cobblestone Rue de l’Abreuvoir, and then I’m walking down the streets, Rue Cortot and Rue du Chevalier de la Barre. In such a completely calm and stress-free way I reach the famous Sacré Cœur white basilica and The Place du Tertre where you can see all the artists with their easels.
On the way, I can look into the Paris vineyard called Le Clos Montmartre. An interesting landmark called The Lapin Agile is located in this part of Montmartre (cobbled Rue des Saules). Poets and singers perform French songs dating back to the fifteenth century in this place.
I also like walking around the hidden Saint-Vincent Cemetery and admire the beautiful old stone sculptures.
Whenever I walk around Montmartre, I think the creation of the ”Amelie” movie, one of eighty the best French films in history, was easy. Life itself wrote the screenplay for this film. Walking around the Montmartre you pass people who look almost identical to the characters in this movie. Also, Café les Deux Moulins looks like in the movie but the waiters are not as nice as the famous French waitress Amelie.
When planning a visit to Montmartre, keep in mind that there are stairs everywhere but the view at the end of your tour will make up for all the stairs you have to climb to get there.
POSTCARDS 
I highly recommend Joanna for a private tour of Paris. She is smart, funny, very knowledgable and tailors the tour to your needs. We started off on a boat tour on the river Seine and ended with some Christmas shopping on the Champ de Elysee with many interesting stops along the way; to include Shakespeare and Co. bookstore, hot wine and a few other unique stops.
Thanks again Joanna for a wonderful experience in Paris. Next time hopefully we’ll have warner and dryer conditions. Also, please let me know when you’re on Tripadvisor and I’ll be happy to add my positive comments! 😉
Thank You Scott, This is pure pleasure to show Paris people like you – with positive energy and
humor! Once again thank you for choosing me as your guide; Promise, no more rain for your next stay in Paris!:)