//
Photo: JordiH, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
This wedding cake-white church rises visibly above the north part of Paris. The striking building, with its towers and white onion dome (83 m high), was built between 1875-1914 on the birthplace of La Commune, officially as an act of penitence for the sins committed during the civil war in which thousands of Communards were executed, as well as for the previous bloodshed of the 1870 Franco-Prussian war. A number of prominent businessmen put up the money, and a dizzying combination of architects worked to put together the mock Romano-Byzantine extravaganza. Consecration followed in 1919. The view over Paris from the dome and from the square before it (200 m above sea level) is unsurpassed, apart from that enjoyed at the Eiffel Tower (50 km on a clear day). For the athletic traveller there are stairs from several directions to the top of the hill; otherwise there is also a funicular which runs every few minutes during the daytime from Place St. Pierre. Follow the signs that say "Funiculaire De Montmartre". Beware that the guards don't like it if they catch you taking pictures inside and will even yell "No photo!" and chase you down if they see you with a camera. Be warned: along the lower steps leading up to church, groups of mostly young African men gather and reach toward you with a small string, offering to loop it round your finger. In case it happens, pull back your hand, brush them off and move on. They might claim that "This is for the church."
In case your feel that things go sideways, raise your voice to get people's attention and ask them call the police.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre, commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica or simply Sacré-Cœur, is a Catholic church and minor basilica in Paris dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Numerous artists paint portraits of tourists and also sell their paintings.
The museum is located in a 17th century house with a garden, and features the history and culture of Montmartre. Several famous artists had lived in the house including Renoir.
A fantastic and undeservedly little-known collection of the great surrealist artist's often overlooked sculptural works. Those travellers seeking a more authentic experience should be warned that the majority of works here are reproductions, and that this "museum" is more appropriately considered as a for-profit, tourist-oriented homage to the artist rather than a carefully curated collection of original work. To find it, head up to Sacré Cœur and stand facing it and take a left. Keep your eye out for small Dali signs.
Montmartre has a small vineyard which can be seen through a chain-linked fence. One of its products (vin Clos Montmartre) can be purchased at the nearby Musée de Montmartre.
The sculpture of a man walking through a store wall like a ghost was inspired by a novel by Marcel Aymé about a civil servant who takes revenge on people who humiliated him after he discovered he could pass through walls.
Le mur des je t'aime
Wall with the words for "I love you" written in many languages.