During our recent trip to Paris we spent a morning in the 18th arrondissement exploring the hilltop neighborhoods of Montmartre. Once a separate village on the outskirts of the city, Montmartre became a part of Paris in the late 1800’s. The area was once synonymous with low costs of living and attracted a crowd of artists, writers and free-thinkers. Over the past century this part of the city has continued to evolve, but much of its original character remains.
One of the best ways to explore Montmartre is by mapping out a walking path ahead of time, being sure to hit any must-see spots on your list. Be prepared for some intense exercise as this part of the city is full of one steep set of steps after another! It was a bit of a challenge since we visited when I was five months pregnant. Although this limited the number of stops on our itinerary, we still managed to cover a lot of ground. I would recommend keeping this in mind for anyone with walking limitations or young children–I also wouldn’t suggest bringing a stroller due to the many steps and uneven cobblestones.
After arriving at the Lamarck Metro stop, we started our morning with a short walk to Rue de l’Abreuvoir. In addition to Rue Crémieux, I think this winding road must be one of the most picturesque streets in Paris. Pastel buildings and lots of greenery add to the charm, while Sacré-Coeur peaks out in the distance. Perched atop the hill at the corner of Rue de l’Abreuvoir and Rue des Saules sits La Maison Rose, a cafe with a rich history. It is said that this was once a favorite hangout amongst artists, including notable figures such as Pablo Picasso.
We were lucky to have pleasant weather during our time in Montmartre; a nice break from the near-constant rain we experienced in Paris. With the sun shining I was excited to finally have a chance to wear my favorite linen skirt and these blush checkered heels. I also wore this cashmere sweater, which I have in two colors–subtle pink and vintage citrus. These sweaters proved to be my most worn pieces of the trip because they are lightweight enough to wear on warm days and thin enough to fit underneath blazers and coats once it gets chilly. J Crew is constantly adding to the selection of beautiful colors as well.
SWEATER: J CREW // SKIRT: SON DE FLOR // COAT: TOPSHOP (OLD, SIMILAR STYLE HERE) // SUNGLASSES: SAINT LAURENT // HEELS: MANSUR GAVRIEL (ON SALE HERE & HERE)
Next, our itinerary took us to Le Grenier à Pain, which did not disappoint. We stocked up on pain au chocolat and tried one of their famous baguettes, which have been voted the best in Paris. From there we made our way up the hill to the lively square of Place du Tertre. Here you will find local artists selling their works–we ended up buying three pieces! Whether you’re searching for the perfect watercolor or ready to sit down for coffee, it’s worth fighting the crowds to spend a bit of time at Place du Tertre. Right around the corner lies Sacré-Coeur, a building with a presence so strong it demands attention from just about any point in Paris. Its details are only more impressive and beautiful up close. Once you reach Sacré-Coeur, you’ll be rewarded with views overlooking the entire city. The views are even better if you climb to the top of the dome, which is something we haven’t done yet. After spending some time relaxing, we ended our morning in Montmartre by walking back down the hill to the Abbesses Metro stop, the deepest station in Paris. Regardless of how much time you have to spend in Montmartre, a little planning goes a long way when it comes to navigating this vibrant area.