One of the more prominent natural features of Paris is the 130 metre high Montmartre and it is the site of one of the more recognisable symbols of the city, Sacre Cœur. These two iconic features of Paris are a must for any visitor to the ‘City of Lights’; they are located on the Right Bank just north of the city in the 18th arrondissement.

Montmartre

Montmartre is also known as a place of artists, cafes, restaurants and of a life more Bohemian; this is thought to have originated as a result of the area being outside the city limits of Paris and therefore free of the city taxes and also due to the fact that the local nuns made wine so the area became a popular eating and drinking area. Many famous artists lived and stayed in the area including Salvador Dalí, Modigliani, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh.

While many associate Montmartre with the white-domed domed Basilique du Sacré-Cœur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart), the other church at Montmartre, is Saint Pierre de Montmartre, is claimed to be the site at which the Jesuit Order of priest was founded.

Opportunities for iconic Paris photography literally present themselves around every corner with beautiful street scenes everywhere within the 18th arrondissement of Paris and easily reach by the Paris Metro. The name is believed to have originated from 'Mons Martis' (Merovingian 5th century) which later became Montmartre (Mountain of the Martyr). The reference to martyrdom is for Saint Denis who was the Bishop of Paris and is the Patron Saint of Paris. (St Denis was decapitated at the site in 250 AD.