Montmartre & Northern Paris - Paris - page 291

Discovering the tombs of French royalty at the Basilique de St-Denis .
Treating the kids to a day at the Cité des Sciences .
Explore: Montmartre & Northern Paris
One of the wellsprings of Parisian myth, Montmartre has always stood apart. Bohemians,
revolutionaries, artists, can-can girls and headless martyrs have all played a role in its story,
and while it may belong to Paris today, vestiges of the original village - ivy-clad buildings,
steep, narrow streets - remain. Crowned by the white domes of Sacré-Cœur, dragged back
to earth by red-light Pigalle, it has forever encompassed contrast and conflict.
An ideal place to base yourself, Montmartre is fairly self-contained - it has plenty in the
way of sights, cuisine, shopping and entertainment. Most visitors here spend half a day or
more exploring the side streets that tumble from the summit in all directions, searching vali-
antly for that one perfect vista looking out over the city.
And while it's packed with crowds, there's still plenty of local life to enjoy - whether in
the sizzling culinary hot spot south of Pigalle or the rarely visited streets on the backside of
the Butte (as the hill is known).
Some excellent museums are located to the west, beyond place de Clichy, but for a taste
of a more modern-day bobo (bourgeois bohemian) lifestyle, you'll need to head further east
to the Canal St-Martin. The quays here have undergone an urban renaissance in the past dec-
ade, making it one of the most vibrant neighbourhoods in Paris today: from neobistros to
late-night drinks and casual shopping to leisurely strolls, the canal beckons one and all.
Local Life
Neobistros French foodies love northern Paris: Canal St-Martin and south of Pigalle are
two of the most exciting places to dine in the capital.
Quay Lounging When the weather gets nice, the entire neighbourhood seems to move
outdoors onto the quays. Picnics, bike rides and car-free zones on Sunday make the
canals an excellent spot to mingle, particularly during the Paris Plages beach festival.
Hang-outs The rough-edged cafes and bars near the Canal St-Martin and rue St-Denis
are a favourite with both Parisian hipsters and wine enthusiasts.