TRAVEL DIARY: MONTMARTRE

9th of October, our day started off early with breakfast at our hotel at 8 am. It wasn’t the usual buffet breakfast but wow was it so yum and healthy-ish. Great start of the day.

Went on the metro just a 1 minute walk from our hotel.

Emerged from this Metro station in Blanche. These signages are so pretty and they are the famous and most photographed original Art Nouveau entrances designed by Hector Guimard.

Crossed the street to this busy intersection with the Moulin Rouge.

Did some research and found this Le Petit Train de Montmartre. This is a great activity for people like me, who don’t want to walk up the hill from Moulin Rouge to Sacre Coeur.

Going up from Place Blanche to Place du Tetre took only about 15 minutes on the mini train. It saved my knee from going up this steep hill.

The main attraction at the summit of the butte in Montmartre is the Sacre Coure deMontmartre commonly known as sacre-Coure Basilica.

But aside from the basilica there are many more attractions here…

We enjoyed looking at the souvenirs that you can buy, a bit pricey but that is to be expected.

Just at the back of the Sacre Coure is Place du Tetre, an artist’s square in the heart of Montmartre

I was so impressed with the portrait sketches and caricatures that Jack and I stood there watching for hours.

Going downhill, I didn’t mind the slopes as we walked and encountered many interesting things. Along the way, we saw a few sculptures, such as Le Passe-Muraille, made in bronze. It depicts a larger-than-life person with a leg and upper body but with half of his body missing.

Next we saw the bronze bust of one of France’s most celebrated singer, Dalida

Continuing down from the Statue of Dalida, you will find this stunning view with parts of the Sacré-Cœur in the distance. This is Rue de I’Abreuvoir which is said to be the prettiest street in Montmartre.

Rue de l’Abreuvoir starts at the famous La Maison Rose. (but unfortunately it wasn’t open when we were there). It was nice being in that spot as I usually just see this cafe in photos.

By this time our stomachs were already grumbling but every restaurant we went to were full of people. We went to Le Moulin de la Galette which is a famous restaurant with old wooden windmills.

We ended up having a late lunch at Bibiche which was already way down near where we started our walk. Jack had steak and I had Escargo and French onion soup.

This was out of the way but I had to go and see it before we take the train home. The I Love You Wall is a 40 square meter art installation with the words “I love you” in 311 different languages.

And yes. Hubby and I found it in our native Filipino language – “Iniibig kita”.

And as if the day wasn’t tiring enough… Jack and I met up with this cutie. She is little Halo which is our best friend’s grandchild.

After that, it was time to rest.

Photos from 9 October 2023