Montmartre Photo Gallery

Montmartre, a neighborhood located at the summit of Paris, is one of the city's most poetry-drenched spots. The narrow, steep, cobblestone-paved streets, stairways, hidden gardens, cemeteries, and vineyards show that Montmartre was, until recently, a village in its own right, tucked away from the city. Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and countless other artists and writers worked their magic here.

Another impression of Montmartre's distinctly village-like ambience.

Montmartre, a neighborhood located at the summit of Paris, is one of the city's most poetic and romantic spots. The area's narrow, steep, cobblestone-paved streets, stairways, hidden gardens, cemeteries, and vineyards show that Montmartre was, until recently, a village all of its own, tucked away from the city. Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and countless other important artists and writers worked their magic here.

The Sacre Coeur Basilica is the monstrous emblem of hilly Montmartre, crowning the "butte Montmartre" or top of the hill, from which you can enjoy sweeping vantages of Paris on a clear day. The basilica, which wasn't completed until 1914 and took over 30 years to build, was a powerful symbol of the monarchy and Catholic Church re-asserting its power after the uprising known as the Paris Commune between 1870-1871.

Closest Metro station: Anvers or Abbesses

The Place du Tertre in Montmartre, where some of art's great names once set up shop. Today the plaza is occupied by painters offering conventional portraits of the city to tourists.

This shot of the Montmartre knoll was taken in February, but the blue filter makes it appear a lot colder than it really was. Montmartre is a favorite place to stroll, especially for photographers, but you need a good pair of legs. You can, however, always take the funicular nearby to the top of the hill if you lack the stamina or energy.

A view of one of Montmartre's quiet residential streets. It's easy to tell that the area was not included in Paris' urban sprawl until early last century.

A dramatic view of Le Sacre Coeur from the steep stairway that leads up the hill.

The Musée de Montmartre (Montmartre Museum), which features a collection that traces Montmartre's rich cultural history.

On a lazy (and unseasonably balmy) afternoon in Montmartre, locals relax at Au Rendez-Vous des Amis, a local bar and cafe. Across the street, one of Montmartre's artier houses looms. The neighborhood features dozens of quiet streets like these, only blocks away from crowds of tourists perusing souvenir shops.

A street musician plays in a Montmartre street, where performers often head in hopes of attracting crowds.

A neo-gothic residence on Impasse Marie Blanche, built in the late 19th century. The house, which is sometimes called "Castel Eymonaud" for its former owner, is an architectural curiosity for Paris.

The striking facade of Paris' world-famous cabaret, the Moulin Rouge. Immortalized in paintings and posters by 19th century artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, the Moulin Rouge has seen a surge in popularity among tourists thanks to Baz Luhrmann's 2001 film of the same name, starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor.

Go further:

• Read our full review of Le Moulin Rouge
• Top Traditional Paris Cabarets