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MONTMARTRE AND THE SACRE COEUR - Paris

Montmartre
Montmartre is 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.
The Sacre 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 "Sacré 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 |
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