Le Bateau-Lavoir is a place in Paris where artists used to live. It is known as a city of artists and a meeting place for people in literature. It is situated in Montmartre, a district in northern Paris on a hill above the Seine River. The place was originally a piano factory which was later divided into a number of artists’ studios. It was a dull, dim and depressing building made of beams and planks that looked like a heap of scrap. The building was so fragile that it creaked badly on stormy days reminding the inhabitants of the laundry boats on the river Seine. The French painter Max Jacob in the early years of the 20th century, called this place Le Bateau because of its resemblance with the laundry boats. Later the small square was named after French singer “Émile Goudeau.”

In 1890, painter Maurfa was the first artist who took the building on rent. After Maurfa, Van Dongen and later Picasso came to live there. From 1904, the place was mainly rented by artists and writers. Picasso lived here between 1904 and 1912. He painted his world-renowned works of art 'The Third Rose' and 'Les Demoiselles d' Avignon' here. Friesz also painted his famous picture “The Reclining Nude” in 1905 while he was staying in Bateau Lavoir. All the artists including Picasso were desperately poor in their early days as nobody appreciated their work.

“Le Bateau” became an informal club consisting of artists, writers, actors, art dealers and even inquisitive strangers. Picasso first discussed “cubism” with this remarkable group. Daily discussions took place in the studios of Picasso or Juan Gris and in the neighboring cafés. Slowly old style of painting was abandoned and new aesthetic doctrine took shape.

War broke out in 1914 and forced artists and painters to leave the Bateau-Lavoir and Montmartre for a more calm and comfy residence. In 1970, the original building was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt several years later.

Today the birthplace of Cubism is not open to public. However the store’s front window is filled with old photographs which depict this building's rich history. Also known as the 'cradle of Cubism' Le Bateau-Lavoir is a place worth seeing. If you have flair and a love for artists, you should not miss this place!

Place du Calvaire is where you can come to get a panoramic view of Paris. It is the place where the famous artist Maurice Neumont once lived. His house is right next to the little square.

“Salvador Dali” is one of the world major 20th century artists. He is known as the master of surrealism and his work consists of three dimensional sculptures and engravings. Born in 1904 in Spain, he was initially an Impressionist but he discovered Cubism in 1921.

“L'Espace Dali” is an art museum situated right next to the picturesque “Place du Tertre” in the Montmartre area of Paris. It is a unique permanent exhibition solely dedicated to the masterwork of Salvador Dali and houses over 300 original artworks of the artist – the biggest ever collection of Dalinian sculptures and engravings.

Dalí had expressed his worldly and otherworldly themes through three-dimensional sculptures, bringing forth his most famous and fantastic surrealistic images. He had a great enthusiasm for grand metaphysical, universal literature, religious and scientific themes. This outstanding collection shows the Catalan Master’s imagination and features the hidden characteristics of his work.

Dalí has presented his dreams and desires as part of reality in an eccentric manner with great technical skill. He has freed the imaginative life from the limitations of society, logic and reason. In his paintings he has portrayed that reality may be an extension of dream and desires and vice versa. His artistic flair is unmatched by any other artist of the twentieth century.

The museum also featured some of his clothing design and a film. Film was shown deep inside the corridor, something which you have not surely seen before in other art galleries. Famous original sculptures such as the “Space Elephant” or “Alice in Wonderland” are present here along with his artworks made on paper such as “Moses and Monotheism”, “Memories of Surrealism”, etc. You will also get a chance to have a detailed look at the creative process that produced some of Salvador Dali's most famous works.

L’Espace Dali is a great place to visit for all the family and a pleasant escape from the crowd of Montmartre.

The Place du Tertre is a square in Paris' XVIIIe arrondissement. With its many artists setting up their easels each day for the tourists, the Place du Tertre is a reminder of the time when Montmartre was the mecca of modern art. At the beginning of the 20th century, many penniless painters including Picasso and Utrillo were living there. Prominent in the square is a cafe, Au Clairon des Chasseurs, which is famous for its reasonably priced local cuisine, and as a bonus, its constant live music which is in the style of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France. L'Espace Salvador Dalí, a museum principally dedicated to the sculpture and drawings of Salvador Dalí, can be found a few steps from Place du Tertre.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Paris, commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Paris, France. The inspiration for the Basilica originated in the wake of the division in French society that arose in the decades following French Revolution, between devout Catholics and legitimist royalists on one side, and democrats, secularists, socialists and radicals on the other. Architect Paul Abadie designed the basilica. With delays in assembling the property, the foundation stone was finally laid 16 June 1875. The overall style of the structure shows a free interpretation of Romano-Byzantine features, an unusual architectural vocabulary at the time, which was a conscious reaction against the neo-Baroque excesses of the Opéra Garnier, which was cited in the competition. Many design elements of the basilica symbolise nationalist themes.

The Church of Saint Peter of Montmartre founded by Saint Denis is one of the two main churches on Montmartre in Paris. Historically Church of Saint Peter is more important because it was built on the site of a Roman temple and a 7th-century Merovingian church. It was part of a Benedictine nunnery founded by Adelaide de Savioe, mother of King Louis VII, in 1134. The nunnery moved downhill to a new location in the 1680s. The church was closed at the French Revolution and the last abbess was guillotined in 1794. Nothing except a few columns of the convent buildings still survived today.

The 1670s and early 1680s marked a special moment in the history when, in 1675, music came to play an important role in the abbey religious services. Marc-Antoine Charpentier wrote devotional music to be performed there. 

The church of St-Pierre-de-Montmartre was used as a resting point for pilgrims on their way to Saint-Denis Basilica. The church of St-Pierre-de-Montmartre was significantly altered in the 17th to 19th centuries but it remained one of the oldest churches in Paris. In 1875, its importance was put in the shade after the construction of the great Basilique du Sacre-Coeur nearby.

The church is built on a traditional Latin cross plan with three naves and a transept, and a tangle of medieval and later styles. The facade dates from the 17th century.
The windows are filled with stained glass windows of the 20th century. The apse was rebuilt in the late 12th century. Behind the altar is the tomb of the Adelaide Savioe, the founder of the monastery.

Saint-Pierre de Montmartre was demolished during the French Revolution and a tower was built upon its apse for sending signals and information using arms or flags or poles. The church was rebuilt in the 19th century. Numerous tourists visit the church today and pay homage to, among other things, the marvelous pillars of Roman origin.

Musée de Vieux Montmartre is a historic museum that has recorded the history of Montmartre from its beginning. It exhibits a collection of old maps, original documents, photographs and many other objects of historical importance.

The museum is housed in one of the oldest buildings of the 17th Century where many nationally and internationally recognized artists and famous people had spent their time. A well-known artist Auguste Renoir had his studio there in 1876 where he gave final touches to one of his famous paintings “Moulin de la Galette”.

The museum features a pretty courtyard full of giant fuchsias. There is a beautiful garden around the building that gives the look and feel of 17th Century life. Inside you will be able to view pictures, sketches and souvenirs that depicts the real story of Montmartre. There is a very rich and varied collection on display that has been in existence since 1886 held by the scholars of the Society of Old Montmartre. Exhibits rotate frequently and are devoted to artists from many fields.

History of the area is displayed here along with the detailed information about the Revolution of 1789, the Russian invasion of 1814, the Commune in 1870 and the construction of the Sacred Heart in 1875. Also on display in the Musée du Vieux Montmartre are other important activities that relate to the Montmartre area in Paris. You will also be able to see the original sign that Andre Gill produced for the cabaret Lapin Agile along with sketches and posters by Theophile Steinlen.

This is a quiet museum within the beautifully restored 17th century mansion that not only houses historical artifacts and works of art but also serves as a Cultural Centre which offers its members conferences, shows, and concerts all relating to Montmartre.  For a very nominal fee, you can become a member and can enjoy shows, talks, conferences, exhibits, etc. all free of charge.

Lapin Agile is an informal cabaret venue that dates back to 1850. It is situated in the center of the Montmartre district in Paris near the Sacre Coeur Basilica. Originally it was called "Cabaret des Assassins" because a gang of murderers entered forcibly and killed the owner's son.

With the passage of time, the name was changed to Lapin Agile. In 1875 the artist Andre Gill painted a sign with a picture of a rabbit jumping out of a pan. Due to this the locals started calling this place Le Lapin à Gill meaning Gill's Rabbit. At the end of 19th century and the beginning of 20th century, the Lapin was a favorite spot for artists and writers including Picasso, Modigliani, Apollinaire and Utrillo. With the passage of time, the name gradually changed to today’s name Cabaret Au Lapin Agile.

In 1905, Picasso captured the cabaret on canvas in the form of a world famous oil painting “At the Lapin Agile.” Many other artists painted the cabaret. This picture went to auction in the 1980's and sold for many millions of pounds giving fame to this place. This picture is now on display at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

For more than one and a half centuries, Lapin Agile acts like a beacon light on the northern slope of Montmartre. It is a strange little enchanted house that presents visitors with French songs dating back as far as the fifteenth century. Its walls are covered with souvenirs, paintings, poems and testimonies.

The Lapin Agile is still just as famous as it was in the past. Initials have been carved out on the wooden tables by the people who used to sit at this place in the past. This place is suitable for a family outing however reservations are highly recommended as it is very popular and is more of the authentic Parisian club. With lots of different incredible singers and poets who perform a four hour show, you will find the atmosphere touching and the time worth remembering.

The “Moulin de la Galette” is the name of a windmill and businesses connected with it. Also known as Blute-fin, which means “sifting flour”, it was built in 1622, sited near the top of the district of Montmaetre in Paris. In the 17th century, the windmill gained popularity not just for its milling services.

In the 19th century, the Debray family, owners and millers of the windmills, made a brown bread “galette” which became very popular. Sold with a glass of milk, that tasty bread grew so popular that later it lent its name to the windmill itself. In 1830, milk was replaced with wine, specially made local Montmartre sort. From then onwards, the windmill has been a cabaret. Parisians flocked to Montmartre to enjoy freshly baked bread with a glass of wine, and to see a panoramic view of Paris and the Seine below.

During the Franco-Prussian War, Montmartre was assaulted by 20,000 Prussian troops. Pierre-Charles Debray, owner of the windmill, fell in the battle defending his property and his body was nailed to its wings. A communal grave for those killed during the fight was made near the Moulin de la Galette.

In 1833, Debray turned the windmills into a viewing tower and opened there a dancing floor. The owner's flair for dancing and enthusiasm soon attracted visitors to the venue, making it a hit. A number of shops, orchards and two windmills are still present in Montmartre.

The windmill was declared a monument in 1939. Restored in 1978, it is now a private property and unfortunately not open to the general public.

Montmartre Cemetery is a famous cemetery located at 37 Avenue Samson, in Paris, France. Cemeteries had been banned from Paris since the shutting down of the Cimetière des Innocents in 1786, as they presented health hazards. Several new cemeteries replaced all the Parisian ones, outside the precincts of the capital, in the early 19th century: Montmartre in the north, Père Lachaise Cemetery in the east, Passy Cemetery in the west and Montparnasse Cemetery in the south. Located west of the Butte, near the beginning of Rue Caulaincourt in Place Clichy, the cemetery in the Montmartre quarter of Paris is built below street level in the hollow of an old quarry with its entrance on Avenue Rachel under Rue Caulaincourt. The cemetery epitomizes the artsy, quixotic, gentle, almost whimsical Paris that every romantic visitor secretly cherishes. A popular tourist destination, it is the final resting place of many famous artists who lived and worked in the Montmartre area.

Moulin Rouge, Red Mill, is a cabaret built in 1889 by Joseph Oller, who also owned the Paris Olympia. Close to Montmartre in the Paris red-light district of Pigalle on Boulevard de Clichy in the 18th arrondissement, it is marked by the red windmill on its roof. Today the Moulin Rouge is a tourist destination, offering musical dance entertainment for visitors from around the world. Much of the romance of turn-of-the-century France is still present in the club's decor. The main feature of an evening at the Moulin Rouge is the performance. The venue has become internationally famous as the home of the traditional French can-can, which is still performed there today. The Moulin Rouge lost much of its former reputation as a 'high-class brothel' and it soon became fashionable for French society to visit and see the spectacular cabarets, which have included a can-can ever since.