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…
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…
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…
If you’re flying to Paris on Ryanair there’s two things you will need to be prepared for; vertical flight and how to get out of Beauvais Airport. Fortunately for you, we’re here! Here, is how to get to Montmartre from Beauvais airport. Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA) is not actually anywhere near Paris. It’s not even in the town of Beauvais, which…
Arriving at CDG after a long flight can be a daunting experience. The airport is the largest in France and the second largest in all of Europe. After collecting your baggage you will need to negotiate with either the Parisian transport system, or a taxi. The most common option is to take the train. Here is how you can get…
You’ve probably seen people riding them or one sitting randomly in the middle of a street, but how do you use what the French call the « trottinette »?. The first thing to know is there are many companies operating electric scooters in Paris; all have different prices and one even requires a driving license. There are ten companies who currently operate…
Confused about how to get to the city from the airport on public transport? Not sure how much you should really be paying for a taxi? Once upon a time – not very long ago actually – a taxi driver could (and would) dictate his own price from the airport to and from central Paris. However, since 2016 there are…
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 of the famous writers you can find at the Montmartre cemetery.
Marie-Henri Beyle, better known by his pen name Stendhal, is one of France’s greatest writers. Considered by many to be one of the earliest and most accomplished writers of realism, Stendhal was famed for his acute detail in describing his characters psychology. Nietzsche even referred to Stendhal as « France’s last great psychologist ». His most famous works The Charterhouse of Parma and The Red and the Black have become films in multiple languages.
Christian Johann Heinrich Heine was a renowned German poet, essayist and literary critic. Heine was a central part of the Young Germany movement, a group of socialist writers against the absolutism of politics and the emancipation of the jews. The German authorities consequently banned many of Heine’s works based on his radical views and so he moved to Paris. Karl Marx, a distant relative of Heine, was a great admirer of his political poetry. During the Third Reich, the Nazi’s burnt his works by order of Hitler. Today, many considered to be one of the first artists of the German language. He is one of the most famous non- French writers in the Montmartre cemetery.
Alexandre Dumas fils is the son of one of the most read French writers in history, Alexandre Dumas pere. Likewise, fils was himself an author and playwright. His most famous work was the semi-autobiographical novel The Lady of the Camellias, which would later became the inspiration for Verdi’s opera Camille. Dumas was buried metres away from Marie Duplessis; an old flame and inspiration for his masterwork.
As a writer, Edmond de Goncourt is best known for his collaborations with brother Jules. Together, the brothers Goncourt would create an infamous journal of literary and art criticism. In addition to the journal, Goncourt subsequently authored several novels. Regarded by le Figaro as « a masterwork in conceit », Edmond would continue the journal alone after Jule’s death in 1870. Edmond later founded theAcademie Goncourt in 1903, which awards the prestigious Prix Goncourt every year.
Théophile Gautier was an esteemed art and literary critic and as a poet and dramatist in his own right. Gautier spent the majority of his career as a journalist, for le Figaro, la Presse and Le Moniteur universel. Contributing criticism for a broad range of arts, from dance to theatre; many consider Gautier’s work to have raised the level of criticism of his day. In later life, Gautier wrote his own plays and novels; including Captain Fracasse, subsequently adapted 6 times for film.
The Montmartre cemetery is a mere two minute walk from our hostel. Book now and discover a world of history at your footsteps!
France is famous for its cinema, and Paris is overflowing with local picture houses just waiting to be explored. Historic Montmartre is host to some of the city’s oldest and most unique movie theatres. Here’s our guide to the 5 best cinemas in Montmartre. 1. Studio 28 Amelie goes to the movies. Studio 28 Montmartre’s most beloved picture house, the…