Sacre Coeur - Paris' prettiest Church, high on the hill at Montmartre

Today Michelle is back with highlights from the Montmartre area of Paris!  One of Paris' most famous neighbourhoods, Montmartre has always been a bohemian artists's haunt... although these days the tourists have well and truly taken over!   It's perhaps best known for the famous Moulin Rouge - and of course Jean Pierre Jeunet's sweet film Amelie was set here too.

Where else could we begin our time in Paris but a few nights in Montmartre! The winding streets, the steep stairs, Sacre Coeur and tiny little cafes, it was truly like we were living in Amelie. Through a tip from friends, our hotel was the Ermitage, run by possibly the world’s tiniest and sweetest woman, Maggie. From her constantly calling Le Boss my 'Papa', to the beautiful breakfasts delivered to my door every morning, the delightful wallpaper and the amazing antique furniture, the mirrored entrance and the 'no suitcase wheels on the carpet' rule, every part of our visit was delightful.

Ermitage hotel in Montmartre - cute and quirky!

Ermitage hotel

Some bits of Montmartre are super touristy, but walk around the back streets and you will be charmed too. Do your sight-seeing early, Sacre Coeur in the early morning is so peaceful, stay away from the con-men drawing portraits in the Place Du Tertre, find a bistro off the main street. And don’t forget to visit the other Galerie Montmartre. I may be a little biased, but I think the Fitzroy version wins hands down.

Spot the tourist!  Michelle consults her map....

The other Galerie Montmartre!

View of Paris from Sacre Coeur

- Merci Beaucoup Michelle!  Tomorrow Michelle will give us her Paris SHOPPING HIGHLIGHTS! (including visits to Colette and the much-hyped new store Merci... !)