It was our first full day in Paris and we were excited to be doing a walking tour of Montmartre with Context Travel. We met our enthusiastic guide Marie at the metro station in Montmartre at 2pm to check out their Palettes & Paintbrushes family tour to learn about this neighborhoods unique and captivating history.
After introductions we started the tour in the park nearby. Marie sat us down and pulled out some pictures of famous artists and a musician, and each child was given the opportunity to pick one of the pictures to learn more about the featured artist. She then explained to us that as we went on the walking tour we would be learning about all of the people in the pictures and then some.
The Entertainment District
We walked down to Pigalle (known as the Red Light District of Paris) and were shown pictures of how it used to look compared to what it looks like today. There were many cabaret shows along the street in the 1880's and we were surprised to see that the street still has many clubs and entertainment stores.
Montmarte is also famous for the first Cabaret called Moulin Rogue. We were excited to walk down the street and see that it is still there in it's original position after all this time. The facade had changed a little but most of it was still the same as when it was founded.
Vincent Van Gogh
Next we started to head up the hill in the heart of Montmartre which has some of the best views over Paris. As we started heading up the hill we came to a nice neighborhood and a house with a big blue door.
Marie told us that this was where Vincent Van Gogh used to live with his brother. She then showed us paintings he did while living in the house and many were of the views from the window. The kids had fun pointing out things in the painting that they could see.
We also learnt that poor Van Gogh only sold 1 painting while he was alive. He went on to take his own life and never knew of the success his paintings would have.
Le Batou-Lavoir
Le Batou-Lavoir was next on our journey. This was the communal house that many famous artists, poets and sculptors lived in while in Montmartre. It was a small shanty house but they loved it as they had freedom to do and live how they wanted.
Pablo Picasso was one of the artists that lived in Le Batou-Lavoir and it was here that African Masks influenced him and Cubism was born. He also painted some of his most important masterpieces while living here too.
At this point of the walking tour Marie pulled out some paper and pencils. She proceeded to show the kids paintings and portraits that Picasso did of people and how his paintings evolved after masks influenced him.
The children were then asked to choose a member of the family and do a portrait of them in mask style. The kids enjoyed having this time to sit in the park and draw and it was great for us parents to have a short break.
Moulin De La Galette
We made it to the top of the hill where we visited the Moulin De La Galette. It is now just a restaurant but back in the 19th century it was a famous cabaret spot. Van Gough and Renoir both have famous paintings of the Moulin De La Galette which established it as yet-another Parisian icon.
The Basilica of Sacre Coeur
The climax of our walking tour was arriving at The Basilica of Sacre Coeur the highest point in Montmartre. The majestic building is the biggest church in Paris and was consecrated after World War 1. When reaching the top of Montmartre we were taken aback as it is quite a sight to behold. Looking out towards the city you also get an amazing view down over Paris.
It was here that we had to say our goodbyes to Marie our guide. We had such a fantastic time and learnt so much in our short 2 hours with her. She was extremely knowledgeable about Montmartre and the history of France. Marie had a special way of capturing the children's attention but also divulging so much information about the history of Montmartre to us adults as well.
