The Village Feel of Montmartre

Yesterday I took a trip to Montmartre finally. It took me a month to want to go up to that lovely tourist attraction. Actually, I probably wouldn’t have even gone if it wasn’t for one of Maureen’s friends visiting. She wanted to see Moulin Rouge and I haven’t, so I agreed to go! Moulin Rouge didn’t really look like I expected it too. It was smaller and I don’t know if the windmill on top was the real one that used to stand there. Unfortunately the shows are too expensive to actually go inside the place to see stuff.. but that might be a later trip to Paris in my life when I have more money.

Next we wandered around trying to find Sacre Coeur. The map of the streets was difficult to use because Paris streets aren’t formed in any sort of pattern (much like Binghamton), so I decided it would be best if we just followed the crowds of tourists and the signs. We wandered through this cute little village feel. It’s amazing that it feels Parisian, but separated at the same time. Which makes complete sense because Montmatre was a separate village next to Paris until it was annexed in 1895. It was such a nice day also that being in the sun was so warm and felt so much like spring. There was so much activity. We found a band playing music and the artists selling their paintings. I would’ve liked to have bought one, but they were too expensive.

We found Sacre Coeur though and we didn’t even have to walk up the stairs! We somehow walked up the back way, which makes sense because we walked uphill. The hill wasn’t even that bad. This bascillica though is HUGE. I knew it was big.. but I still couldn’t believe it! It was crazy! There were swarms of tourists around (it’s funny that I say that when I technically am too).  I wish I could’ve taken more photos.. but I just snuck one. It was amazing. There were side chapels all around the periphery of the main alter, which was stunning and so large thanks to the dome being over it. It’s so strange because it really does look like a mosque from the outside, but the inside is very Byzantine and Catholic looking. It’s a odd juxtaposition that works somehow.

After that we just tried to get back to where we came from and walked past a million sex shops, which are near Moulin Rouge (go figure).