What is Montmartre in Paris like? Is it still artists or is it just more kitschy?

Question

Have you been to Montmartre in the past year or so? I would like first-hand anecdotes especially as to the art scene there. What did you think of it?

Answer 1

To be honest, you are right to suspect it may have turned a little kitschy (see Rillifane's description above). If you go outside the most touristic season though, you can still feel some of the charm of the Montmartre village.

When it is crowded it is pickpocket heaven so be careful. All the stores (often owned by dishonest and unfriendly people) sell junk for tourists and a lot of small so-called museums are tourist traps. In spring and summer the terraces of awful restaurants with menus in 10 languages or so are assailed by hords of tourists.

It is still worth seeing any time of the year you go there, just because it's unique in Paris with its many stairs and winding little cobble-stone paved streets. You also get a great view of Paris since it is on a hill. But if you can go in winter when there are fewer tourists, it is a little more authentic. But definitely not the artist's scene it used to be. Here is an example of today's most prevalent "art" in Montmartre:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Franc...

The best is to read about the history of the village before planning a visit: its vineyards, its cabarets, the artists that used to live there, etc.

Answer 2

The days when Montmartre was an inexpensive place to live and that therefore attracted unknown artists is long, long gone.

Wander around the Place du Tertre and you will see a lot of alleged artists selling their work to tourists. Most if it is hideous junk and if there is a present day equivalent of Picasso or Utrillo amongst them I certainly have never seen it.

If you're looking for young artists then hang in the cafes around the Ecole Nationale Superieure Beaux Arts at 14 rue Bonaparte in the 6th arrondissement on the left Bank.

Answer 3

Every year a wine of the vines of montmartre is produced in paris. Is it a expensive district to live. You can go to the museum of erotism. It's beautiful and alive district with art  but expensive again. Located at the foot of the Montmartre hillock, the cabaret of the CHAT NOIR was great places of meeting of All-Paris and  the art scene.