Oh, Montmartre! This area of Paris is most visually known for the enormous white Basillica of the Sacré-Cœur. However, there is a small little church directly up the hill that is far more special to the history of Paris. Saint-Pierre de Montmartre is actually one of the oldest churches in all of Paris. Built upon ancient Merovingian grounds, the construction of the standing Romanesque church dates back to 1134. Stepping inside might not seem like much, but keep an eye out for the ancient columns that are built into the church to honor its original foundations. This location is linked to how Montmartre got its name. In 250 AD, Christianity was not legalized and many Christians were killed, or martyred, for their beliefs. Bishop Denis of Paris was one of these martyrs, and he was killed a top of Montmartre. In almost all representations of Saint Denis, he is shown holding his head because his martyrdom was decapitation; Saint Pierre de Montmartre is said to be the spot where this actually happened. 

 

Montmartre is very much tied to the heart and soul of the city of Paris, and many famous artists lived or worked in and around this area, such as: Picasso, Modigliani, Dalí, Pissaro, van Gogh, and Monet. This artistic charm resonates in the street art, artisan markets, and galleries of the area - one of which has Dalí's work on display. This area too, has been featured as the backdrop of many movies, my personal favorite being Amélie (2001). In almost every corner, there is something interesting or brilliantly colored and beautiful - just be prepared for a hell of a lot of steps!