In the afternoon, we took a 30+ minute Metro ride to Blanche and started our day trip in the Montmartre district! The area was a common stomping ground for artists, musicians, and people looking for scandalous night life for hundreds of years. Today, it is a fun, hilly area to simply wander and explore recognizable sights and attractions.
The Moulin Rouge
You can’t be in Montmartre without making a stop at the Moulin Rouge. This cabaret is world famous and after Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! (2001), I bet a lot of people flock there for some fun. In general, the Montmartre area is well-known for its Red Light District. Since we came during the daytime, I did not see anything out of the ordinary but I heard the area is bustling at night!
During the daytime, it is much more tame.
I can only imagine this is what people now think about the Moulin Rouge…
Cafe des Deux Moulins (The Two Windmills) from Amelie
Just up the street from the Moulin Rouge is the Cafe des Deux Moulins from the French movie Amelie (2001), one of my favorite movies in the entire world!
My little dream come true!
Note the poster on the wall to the left!
We were thinking of just having a small treat with a coffee but the wait was way too long to justify it. Oh well! Next time!
I do not buy movies often, but I did purchase a digital copy for my laptop. I just love watching it on a rainy day! It never fails to brighten my mood! I am soooo happy I went!
Moulin de las Galette
This windmill is another famous restaurant in the Montmartre area. This time, it is famous for Renoir’s Bal du Moulin de la Galette (1876), which can be found at the Musee d’Orsay.
Renoir’s Bal du Moulin de la Galette (1876)
Place du Tertre
This square is swarming with tourists but it is well-known for its local artists. For €40-€100, you can have one of the artists draw your face or caricature. I observed some of them draw and most are VERY good. For the quality of the drawings, I think it really justifies the price!
The Stairs of Montmartre
Once you walk past the square, you’ll come across the famous Stairs of Montmartre. Many photographers came here to take black and white photos at night, but I remember this more from a music number scene in An American in Paris (1951).
Read on for my visit to Sacre Coeur!
Selene + Abroad 