Montmartre

I stayed 8 nights in Paris during Spring Break.  Rather than staying in a hotel or hostal, I rented a lovely studio apartment in Montmartre, the neighborhood where basically all of the Impressionist painters lived in the early 1900s.  It is a wonderful place, full of charm and culture and great restaurants.  It was a soul-refreshing place to return to after hours dealing with tourists.

the Montmartre stop (Rue de Abbesses) is one of only 3 Metro stops with the
original Art Deco metal work

Montmartre is full of historic windmills, many of which
are now restaurants or bar, but which were used
for cement grinding through the 1950s 

France was part of the Roman Empire.  As Christianity began to spread throughout the empire, the early Christian leaders were persecuted by the polytheistic Romans (the same people who threw the Christians to the lions).  Father Denis was a leading Christian scholar in the area that would become Paris.  He was discovered by Roman leaders, and ordered for execution. The story tells that he was supposed to be marched to the top of Montmartre hill, where he would be executed.  On the way up, he was harassing his Roman guards, preaching to them and trying to get them to convert.  One guard got frustrated, and chopped off Denis' head.  Denis' body picked up his head, carried it, and continued preaching as he walked the remaining 6 miles uphill.  Now he is St Denis, patron saint of Montmartre.

Saint Denis

Sacre Couer- a very famous and beautiful church on the top of the hill

view from Sacre Couer

It wouldn't be Paris without a high fashion shoot

This restaurant was about 130 feet from my apt.  I ate there almost every day.  It was such great quality French food (steak frites, omelettes, croque Monseiur, even an outstanding hamburger), nice wait staff, great wines, and a wonderful spot for some serious people watching

the view from the bed in my lovely apt