Montmartre
The Romans called it Mons Mercurii, after erecting a hilltop shrine
to their god of commerce. Medieval folks referred to it as Montmartre,
or "Hill of Martyrs," after legend stated that their patron saint
tucked his decapitated head under his arm and walked from this
hill to a more comfortable resting spot north of Paris. But the
area is probably best known for the many 19th-20th Century painters
who made it home. As rents were affordable, its working-class
streets were full of struggling artists like Picasso, Modigliani,
Renoir, Manet, Toulouse-Lautrec, Utrillo and Van Gogh.
Along with this era came the famous taverns and dance halls -
the Moulin de la Galette immortalized by Renoir's painting, the
Moulin-Rouge, and Le Mirliton where Aritide Bruant hurled insults
at the bourgeousie who came to rub shoulders with the poor. The
police also knew the Montmartre as the resort of gangs of Parisian
toughs distinguished by their wide berets and corduroy trousers.
When Eric Satie played piano in a Montmartre cabaret, he went
armed with a hammer!
Montmartre's colorful past has left an indelible mark on its tiny
streets. The last surviving vineyard in Paris can still be seen
here as well as two of the thirty windmills which ground the wheat
grown on its butte in the 1600's. Many of the cabarets, once alive
with songs and young women dancing the cancan, can still be visited.
Explore this little village with us and see why its sloping streets
are still the obsession of painters and photographers.
Sacré Coeur
The Sacre-Coeur was built at the end of the 19th century at the
top of Montmartre hill in Paris. Its famous white architecture
dominates the city, and offers a wonderful view. The nearby streets
of Montmarte are full of artists and restaurants.
Overlooking Paris on the hill to the north is the Roman-Byzantine
basilica of the Sacred Heart. dominates Paris. The church is on
the site where Saint Denis was beheaded because of his faith in
late IIIrd century. The basilica's construction was financed by
every parish in France. The building's extraordinary whiteness
is a result of the material used in its construction: Chateau-Landon
stone bleaches with age.
The front has two bronze equestrian statues of St. Joan of Arc
and St. Louis by H. Lefebvre, and the climax of the overall design
is the statue of Christ, his hand raised in blessing. Since 1885,
the prayer of perpetual worship has been the most important part
of the life and activities of this worldwide famous sanctuary.
Follow the signs to the west of the Church to Place du Tertre.
This is the artist's square. It is fun to walk around except for
the artists who are constantly trying to get you to let them draw
a portrait of you. When you walk from the subway station to Sacre
Coeur, you will walk through the Montmarte flea markets. This
is alot of fun if you like that kind of stuff.
Spiritual Activity
Since 1885, the prayer of perpetual worship has been the most
important part of the life and activities of this worldwide famous
sanctuary.
The Basilica of the "Sacr‘ Coeur" is a place of pilgrimage where
the chaplains and the Benedictine nuns of the Sacred Heart welcome
pilgrims, faithful worshippers and all those who seek God. Adjacent
to the basilic, the Ephrem Hostel is opened to the pilgrims who
have previously booked their room.
