While there are centuries of history in Montmartre and multiple galleries to visit, there are currently only three museums in the area. Fortunately for those who wish to visit all three, they are only a few minutes apart from each other. Packed with history and innovation, these museums are an essential part of your trip to Paris’ bohemian village. Musée…
A keen cyclist? Not a fan of public transport? Wondering just exactly how you use the Vélibs in Paris? The Paris transport system isn’t for everyone. If you’re brave enough to face Parisian traffic head on, you might just find that it’s the quickest method of moving around the city. The Velib bicycle rental system was launched in 2007 and…
Montmartre was once home to many of France’s celebrated figures; from actresses to essayists, singers to writers. Just metres away from our hostel is the cemetery where many of these famous artists were laid to rest. Here are 5 more famous writers you can find at the Montmartre cemetery. Émile Zola (1840-1902) Émile Zola was a French playwright, novelist and…
Maurice Utrillo was one of very few painters to actually be born and raised in the bohemian quarter. His mother, Suzanne Valadon, was an artist’s model, who would later herself go on to become a famed artist in her own right. The question of who was Maurice’s father has long been the stuff of legend. Suzanne thought that Renoir or Degas could have been…
One of the many representations of le Lapin Agile by Montmartre local Maurice Utrillo. In the late 19th century, the lower section of Montmartre was home to many cabarets, such as le Chat Noir and le Moulin Rouge. The district, like the cabarets themselves, were often dangerous places. Crime and prostitution riddled the area, while the top of the…
After the smaller cimetière du Calvaire became overcrowded, the cimetière Saint-Vincent opened in 1831. One of three cemeteries in Montmartre, it holds 900 graves, making it second to the more renowned cimetière de Montmartre. However, its list of occupants is no less renowned and includes famed artists to film directors. Marcel Carné Marcel Carné was a key figure in the…
Montmartre’s best kept secret, le Clos Montmartre vineyard is tucked away quietly in the shadows of the Sacré-Cœur. The city of Paris’ urbanisation of Montmartre in the early 20th century was a cause of concern to many locals. A group of local artists, led by Francis Poulbot lobbied the government for a piece of land destined for property. In 1933,…
‘Aristide Bruant in his Cabaret’ by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1892) The namesake for the street on which our hostel sits, Aristide Bruant was a character known to all in Montmartre. Today, Bruant is most recognised for his likeness in Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s iconic post impressionist prints. But what of the man behind the felt hat and red scarf? From Bourgeois to Bellevilloise…
