You haven’t visitted Paris if you haven’t been to Montmartre. People call Paris the “City of Love” but to me, I felt the love vibe the most when I was in this small, charming area.
Think about cobblestone streets, small cafes, fleurs, l’amour, “Moulin Rogue” and “Amelie”.
I was very lucky to be able to see Montmartre with my own eyes. Initially, my tour operator didn’t include this optional trip.
We were supposed to have a walking tour in the Latin Quarter but because it happened on the same day with Bastille Day (another luck for me), there were some changes to the itinerary.
🤩 Bastille Day parade > Latin Quarter walking tour and macaroons sampling. Period! 🤩
So, in the afternoon of the second day, Aaron, Michelle and I went to Montmartre.
Make Love, Not War — The I Love You Wall, Montmartre
On the hillside neighbourhood, you may come across a giant, 40 square meter art installation filled with “I love you” note in different languages.
One day, a man named Frédéric Baron had a romantic idea to collect different ways to say “I love you”. He wandered around Paris with a little notebook, asking people from around the world how to say the phrase in their languages.
Not only that, he even went to some embassies in Paris to verify his findings. What a dedication!
Then, not sure how he got to know this woman named Claire Kito, she was the one who convinced him to bring this passion project to life and shared it with the public.
See some red, broken pieces that are scattered on the wall?
Yes, they represent a broken heart.
From the artist’s point of view, the human race had been divided and torn by the lack of love in this world. When we connect the pieces together, they will form a complete heart ❤️
According to Discover Walks, all 192 nations of the United Nations are represented on the I Love You Wall, Montmartre.
To me, this piece of art has another message. If you’re single or mending a broken heart, let the I Love You Wall be your cheerleader.
No matter what happened, remember that it’s a big world and you’ll find love — maybe at the other side of the world!
You can read more interesting facts about this wall here.
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An Afternoon Walk in Montmartre, the Artists Haven
When I arrived in Montmartre, I felt the same feeling as when I was in Italy. I just love it!
I love this hillside part of Paris more than the city itself. Some of you may not agree and feel that the city center in Paris is unbeatable, so let these photos speak for themselves:
This unique statue of a man walking over the wall is one of the famous attractions in Montmartre.
Jean Marais, a French actor and sculptor, created this statue as a tribute to Marcel Aymé, a famous French novelist, screenwriter and playwright.
The man is a protagonist in Marcel’s novel, named Mr. Dutilleul. He works as a clerk and often humiliated by his superiors and bosses. One day, he finds out that he could walk through walls.
He uses his ability to take revenge and keep abusing it. Until one day, the ability disappear when he’s walking through a wall and half of his body trapped in the stone.
La Maison Rose aka The Pink House is also a popular attraction in Montmartre. Ramon Pichot, Salvador Dali’s mentor, used to own this building.
The beautiful, small cafe in the corner was frequented by famous artists and writers like Picasso, Albert Camus, Suzanne Valadon, and Maurice Utrillo.
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A Lovely French Dinner in Montmartre, Paris
Aaron took us to a small, lovely restaurant for dinner. We had traditional French cuisine like onion soup, escargot, duck confit, and dessert. Yum! 😋
Actually, I don’t eat snails, oysters, any chewy seafood. But since I was already in France, it would be a waste if I didn’t try escargot.
The escargot that I had was cooked in olive oil, pesto sauce, and garlic. It tasted… good! Plus, it had no smell at all.
After the dinner, we went to the city center to see the Bastille Day’s fireworks. When we were about to reach the place, I saw a HUGE crowds and decided to return to the hotel.
It was a shame because it was already around 9:30pm, and the fireworks would start at 11pm. But I felt so tired, walked in mini heels since the morning… And I didn’t have a proper lunch (I had desserts at Angelina Paris).
Luckily, I managed to get a taxi back to the hotel!
Nevertheless, it was a lovely afternoon in this authentic Parisian village. I wish I had more time to explore Montmartre, so I could sit in La Maison Rose and drink a cup of coffee.
So, if you’re planning to travel to Paris for holiday, remember to visit Montmartre. For those who want to watch the cabaret at Moulin Rogue, it’s best to buy the ticket online in advance.
See you next week! 😊
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