“Montmartre in the Spring”
Montmartre, Paris, France. May 2018. (17 photos)
This is Part 3 of my France 2018 photo series, and also Part 5 of my Europe 2018 photo series.
So, after a few days in The Netherlands, I packed myself a small lunch consisting of bread, cheese and stroopwafels for my train trip across Belgium into Paris. Arriving at Gare Nord, I made the slow uphill trek with my luggage over cobblestone roads into Montmartre, in Paris’ 18th arrondissement, then I walked up 5 floors to my apartment bnb. Believe me, travelling light is the way to go but that’s not always easy to do when you also have an additional bag for the camera gear.
I’ve already made a couple of posts about my 2 weeks in Paris, Paris in the Spring (1) and Paris in the Spring (2). Now let’s take a peek at Montmartre.
Sacre Coeur Basilica
“The incredible sinking house of Montmartre”
“Parisian style”
“Paris in the Spring”
“Artist’s impression”
“La vie en rose”
Is Paris any less beautiful in black and white?
Rue de l’Abreuvoir
View over Paris from Sacre Coeur Basilica.
I climbed the 300+ steps to the top of Sacre Coeur for the wonderful views. Had to get the photos.
But of course, I’ll not easily forget the view from my room in Montmartre.
Over Paris from the front window.
Of the Sacre Coeur Basilica from the bathroom window.
“Paris at the speed of light”
…and the night view.
…
This is Part 3 of my France 2018 photo series.
This is Part 5 of my Europe 2018 photo series, including Czechia (The Czech Republic), The Netherlands, France, Italy, Austria, Greece and Germany.
Magnifique!!!
Merci beaucoup.
Beautiful shots. I think the carousel horses are very clever and the Rue de l’abreuvoir delightful.
Thank you very much. Rue de l’abreuvoir has been described as one of the prettiest in Paris, and the lovely curves reveal why.
So beautiful! Your captures are breathtaking! 😀 ❤
Thank you so much, Linda. 🙂
😀
I think you have captured the essence of Montmartre in your marvelously beautiful photos!
Thank you very much. It’s a great area just to wander through. It was a nice introduction to Paris before moving further into the city centre.
Looks like lots of walking, and very lovely views along the way. Had to google stroopwafels . Sounded like such a simple lunch…but a tasty one too 🙂
Walking is definitely the best way to see Paris. So much to experience and find. That’s why I moved from accomodation in the 18th arrondissement to the 7th then to the 3rd. A different base to explore different parts of the city.
Stroopwafels are very nice. The hotel gave me a fresh pack daily. The best way to eat them is to warm the stroopwafel over your cup of tea/coffee so the caramel in the stroopwafel melts and becomes gooey. 🙂 Yum!
Thanks for allowing us to see this remarkable city through your lens. You were so smart to keep on the move by foot. You get to see the small and the larger view of what is there is to experience.
It’s very true. Paris is best appreciated and experienced on foot, with no fixed plan except to go in a general direction. You’ll always encounter something interesting along the way.
Paris is beautifully captured, from different angles and times of the day.
Over Paris from the front window — is so much like the view I saw from the top of the Galleria. 🙂
Thanks, Amy. It’s easy to get lost there. All the buildings are the same colour and height. Even the high views over the roof tops blur into one, but I never get tired of it. 🙂 I went to the Lafayette Galleria as well, right after visiting Opera Garner. Love Paris.
Envy you! 🙂
🙂 🙂 🙂
Well, you must be leaving soon on your holiday. I’ll be envying you.
I so need a vacation after seeing your fabulous photos! 🙂 🙂
🙂 🙂 🙂
The sinking house? 🙂 🙂 I love the high fashion hats that come immediately below it. And so many others! I think I could spend the rest of my life in Montmartre.
Just being a bit playful with that sinking house photo, Jo. 🙂 Montmartre is a lovely area, part of Paris, but somehow separate from it. That’s why I decided to stay there a couple of nights before moving more centrally.
Love it (both the house and the place 🙂 )
Thanks, Jo. 🙂 🙂 🙂
I can’t pass those fountains without itching to take another photo. So glad you gave in too.
They’re so decorative and beautiful. They’re meant to be photographed. 🙂
Magnifique, indeed!
Thank you, Sue.
😊
What enchanting and magnificent pictures!
Thank you. It’s a lovely area of Paris.
I think the carousel horses are very clever too! Love your view on things. Paris is a huge urban sprawl isn’t it? And yet Rue de l’abreuvoir looks so peaceful.
Thanks very much, Jude. Paris seems to love its carousels. Yes, there’s a certain amount of luck required to photograph Rue del’abreuvoir looking quiet without cars parked everywhere, when Montmartre is often overrun with tourists.
But you make your own luck LD by going out when no-one else does!
True. Thanks, Jude.
These photos have captured the spirit and atmosphere of Paris, even in BnW you have captured the feeling of love as that couple share a special moment on the bridge. I smiled at the sinking house. How did you do that? I loved this meander around Montmartre with you. I don’t think I will ever go back to Europe so I am so pleased you are sharing your journey with us.
Thank you very much. I think Paris photographs well in black and white. And Montmartre is quite picturesque.
Don’t you know that’s a real condemned sinking house? LOL It was easy. Just tilted the camera at an angle so the hillside was level in my viewfinder and the building appeared tilted. 🙂
Montmartre well portrayed – fabulous gallery. Your apartment must have had the best location and views!
Thank you very much. It was a small room but that didn’t matter. I was spoiled by that fabulous view.
I can understand that. A room with a view is what most of us want, but, at least I, seldom get.
This was the first time I chose accomodation based on view and the price was right.
Addicted now maybe? Last year I did not live in hostels at all – addicted to more comfortable rooms for my age. With a view if possible.
Comfort and convenience first. Hotel room views can be hit or miss. But they’re great when you get a good one.
Such iconic views and typical little details. You really captured the spirit of Montmartre. And, no, Paris is no less beautiful in black and white.
Thank you, Julie. I’m glad I stayed in Montmartre for a couple of days to experience it and didn’t just visit as a “day trip”. It does have a different spirit to it compared to central Paris.
Do you intend to make me pack my suitcases again and catch the first flight to Paris ?!!!!! Brilliant photo series,loved how you started it with the church of the Sacred Heart and the incredible sinking house of Montmartre.You photo perfectly conveyed the illusion,I can imagine you descending and scrambling the steep grassy declivity for such a compelling photo,Loved your epilogue with Paris at the speed of light,
Well, it is a relatively short flight to Paris, isn’t it? 🙂
Thank you very much. The important tip for the sinking house photo is to make sure there are no people in it. I have so much more from Montmartre – for another time, perhaps.
Indeed it is,oftentimes it takes longer to drive to the centre of Athens from Kifisia,where I live.Yes,you were lucky you found a quiet moment with no people around to capture it.Generally speaking,I love off-kilter shots,they get an extra dimension.
Agreed, it’s a surprise element. Traffic can be such a headache.
It’s really frustrating to lose our precious time stuck in traffic 😦
Very true.
I think Paris is beautiful in black and white.
Yes, some cities have a timelessness that really suits b/w. Paris is one. New York is another.
Oh, what a beautiful series, from top to bottom. Love the mannequin shot. Heck, not a dud in the batch. Did you spot Dalida? Gorgeous. Gorgeous. ~Theadora
Thank you very much, Theadora. I guess most of these views and scenes are well known to you. Yes, I spent some time with Dalida; she is well positioned and a there’s beautiful little garden just near her.
STUNNING images, Mr. Draco. If I didn’t admire and like you so much, I’d be a bit jealous I hadn’t shot these myself. Really! Paris is one of the most photographed places on Earth, but you’ve managed to find fresh views and new perspectives. As the French would say, “chapeau.”
Thank you very much, H. I’m glad I could do photographic justice to this city that I know you love. Now, if only I could find those hidden secrets of this city that you found and showed on your blog.
If you want to see the basketball court, I can probably help you get in the door! Please drop me an email and I will put you in touch with the director of the YMCA. (One caveat: She only speaks French. But I will gladly serve as an email translator too if you need.)
Thanks for the generous offer. I just have to decide when I’ll return next. I speak enough French to order at a patisserie and read menus and order. Very basic conversation, too. I should try to take my French to the next level in the meantime.
No it is just as beautiful in black and white! Stunning images Mr Draco 🙂
I think you’re right, Julie. Thanks so much. 🙂
I had the same question as RestlessJo about the sinking house – you had me fooled except I was thinking ‘Surely, I’d have heard of that!’. The Tower of Pisa would have had nothing on that. The pictures are all wonderfully atmospheric – I love the fairground horses too.
Thank you. The slope in front of the house was so steep, it only took a little lateral thinking to make the sinking house happen. Plus, I’ve seen similar photos online. 🙂
Fantastic images
Thanks so much. 🙂
“Paris at the speed of light” absolutely beautiful. You definitely have the “photographers eye.” These photos were very tasteful. In all of your collections I almost feel like I’m really there seeing the image. Your photos have a way of doing that. Thanks for this gorgeous piece. It wad a great read.
Thank you very much. It’s a beautiful part of Paris, and I’m glad I could capture some of the atmosphere of it.
Love the black and whites in this series!
Thank you.