The Museum of Montmartre: the stories behind a legendary district

The Museum of Montmartre: the stories behind a legendary district

No visit to Montmartre is complete without a tour of this superb museum! Standing atop the hill, overlooking the vineyards, the Musée de Montmartre welcomes you in a charming 17th century mansion. Treat yourself to a trip back to the days when Montmartre was a village that danced to the sound of the can-can, swayed to the rhythm of the Moulin Rouge’s sails, sang boisterously in the cabarets and was captured on canvas by the brushstrokes of the great painters. Experience the era of artistic and bohemian Montmartre.

 

The ambience of an artist’s atelier

Established in 1960, the Musée de Montmartre houses an exceptional collection of paintings, posters and drawings. Perhaps the most charming museum in Paris, it traces the history of ‘Old Montmartre’ and the famous Butte, the political life of the period, the festive atmosphere of the iconic cabarets and the artistic effervescence of those heady days in faithfully reconstructed artists’ ateliers.

Located at 12 Rue Cortot, the building was once a rendezvous for many artists who found a nurturing environment in this artistic and bohemian microcosm. The Musée de Montmartre captures the spirit of these artists, particularly that of Renoir, who lived here between 1875 and 1877.

 

The magic of old Montmartre and a walk in the gardens

This museum experience continues with a visit to the adjacent Hôtel Demarne, a superb 18th century residence which, along with regular temporary exhibitions, displays an extensive collection of artefacts and memorabilia dealing with the history of the French Cancan, shadow theatre, and cabarets such as the renowned Lapin Agile and Chat Noir that had their heyday prior to the Moulin Rouge.   To conclude your visit to this fascinating museum and enjoy a real change of scenery in the very heart of the capital, take a stroll in the three Renoir Gardens.

 

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For further information:

- Musée de Montmartre

Crédit photo : Wikipédia


Hotel des Arts Montmartre, a charming and comfortable hotel in Montmartre