All of Paris is literally at your feet! It is much smaller than one would think and can be walked from end to end in
less then two hours.
The apartment is located between two distinct and very special neighborhoods or “quartiers”
Montmartre, specifically the quartier of Abbesses is just up the street. Walk up to the corner. You can go in any
direction and its magic!
Go to your left for all of our wonderful neighborhood shops and cafés; the bank and the post office. After exploring
the epicieries, fromageries, boulangeries, boucheries and the many cafés on rue des Abbesses, turn left onto rue
Lepic for even more. If you have seen the wonderful quintessential French film “Amelie” you will recognize many
of the local sights. The area is one of magic at all times: on Saturdays when it seems everyone in Montmartre is
shopping; Sundays when the streets are closed to traffic and French accordion music wafts out from the cafés;
indeed at anytime. Sit in the cafés and watch the passing crowds.
Looking for a bottle of wine? Be sure and stop into Le Cave on rue des Abbesses. Their selection is not
matched. You can also try a taste either at the tables in front or in the popular, somewhat smoky room in the rear.
Their plates of charcuterie make a great snack.
A good movie? Studio 28 at 10 rue Tholoze, just off rue des Abbesses is a real treat. All the films are shown in
the original format with French subtitles when needed. The theater was designed by Jean Cocteau and is the
oldest continually operating cinema in Paris. If you don’t want to stand in line, just go to the café inside and have
a drink or a pastry. They will wave you into the theater when the film starts. http://www.cinemastudio28.com/
check “programmes et horares”, then “Pour imprimer le programme cliquez ici” for the latest film listing.
Below and parallel to rue des Abbesses, stretching from rue Lepic back to our own rue Houdon is the small lane,
rue Véron. It’s a bit of a secret, with its small cafés, bars, shops and ateliers. Don’t miss it. It’s especially in
character late on a misty night when the cobble stones glow and the “ladies” of the night come out”.
Go straight will take you up to the top of the Butte Montmartre and the famous Basilque du Sacre-Coeur. Wander
the rues!
Turn right and in a short while you will be in the “tissues” area where the colorful shops sell fabrics of all kinds –
and for some reason Middle Eastern belly dancing costumes. Beyond is the Goutte d’O.r This fascinating area,
the location of many of Zola’s nineteenth century novels is largely populated by immigrants from France’s former
African colonies. The Saturday market is one of the most fascinating in Paris.
Pigalle, lies just down the hill. It is a bustling urban area open 24 hours a day, and very colorful in its own way.
Need I say more?
A little further down is Place St. Georges, one of the most beautiful squares in Paris.
One block to the east is rue des Martyrs. This is the rue that St. Denis marched in the third century carrying his
own head! It is still one of the most colorful rues in Paris equaling rue des Abbesses and rue Lepic in its selection
of shops and cafés.