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Saturday 8 October 2016

Why you should visit Montmartre

For many who visit Paris, Montmartre means two things – a quick picture outside the Moulin Rouge and a hike up to Sacre Coeur to soak in the view. Once these two tasks are complete, they’re usually followed by jumping back on the metro and zooming off to elsewhere in the city. I recently visited Pairs and I don't know if I would have done much more if my hostel (Village hostel) wasn't based in the area. However, this region of Paris offers much, much more, if you know where to look. So read on and let me convince you that Montmartre is worth more than a flying visit.

For those who enjoy fancy idling away a few hours by strolling around, there is probably no region more rewarding than Montmarte. Between the basilica and the Moulin Rouge lies a region just perfect for an afternoon walk. Walk up and down the hill and you can easily lose yourself in the narrow cobbled streets and you’ll see why this area was such a draw for artists and poets alike. Keep an eye out and you’ll easily spot a moulin or two (other than the Moulin Rouge!) If you’re really paying attention you might stumble across the Clos Montmartre vineyard – a fully working vineyard in the capital! If you ever get lost on your walk, just head uphill and you’ll find yourself at the Basilica du Sacre-Coeur, one of the most impressive monuments in Paris. If it’s a nice evening, make sure to get up there around sunset, find a seat and enjoy the atmosphere as you watch night descend upon Paris - something I discovered on my visit there.

For those who enjoy a museum, the Montmartre region caters for you as well. The region boasts the Museum of Montmartre, which is based in the oldest building in the area. The building has previously served as residence to artists such as Renoir and Valadon, the works of whom comprise part of the permanent museum collection. The museum also plays host to the Renoir Gardens, which offer a perfect spot to rest. If you hadn’t found the Clos Montmartre already, these gardens offer views of it along with the rest of Paris. While at the museum, keep an eye out for the cancan room!

That leads us to Boulevard de Clichy, home of the Moulin Rouge and what many call the ‘street of sex’. Cancan, peep shows and sex shops are the order of the day (and night) along this street. Even if it’s not your cup of tea, it’s definitely worth a walk along to take in the surroundings. At sunset, as the neon lights switch on, it becomes all the more impressive. While here you can find the Elysee Montmartre theatre, which some say is the oldest (or at least one of the oldest) cancan theatres in Paris.

So, the next time you’re in Paris you know why you should head over to Montmartre. There are some pretty great hostels from the HipHop group in the region - so you can easily base yourself in Montmartre and have a great time. Either way, it doesn’t matter how long you’re in the city for, this region is worth it and has a little something for everyone.

The 16-25 Paris Pass

When travelling around in Britain, it’s easy to take our museums for granted – free entry all around! Consequently, when travelling around Europe and a museum is spotted, incredibly often it is followed up by a slightly emptied wallet and a sense of annoyance. So imagine my surprise when in Paris, one of the most expensive cities around, I discovered a deal which can save you a nice sum when visiting museums and attractions. The name of this deal? The 16-25 EU Citizen deal. Not a very catchy name, I know.

Names aside, this deal deserves more attention that it currently receives. Being less than two and a half hours from London, Paris is obviously a destination that is top of the list for many Brits. So I thought I’d shout about this deal a bit. Quite simply, if you’re aged 16-25 and you’re an EU citizen, then you get free entry to a whole cavalcade of destinations – and not low rate ones either! For example, you can get to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for free, where you can get views such as these:

Or you could go and try to understand some modern art at the Centre Pompidou, or perhaps you could just take in the bizarre architecture of the building. Well, a modern building for modern art I guess.

I discovered the deal on a recent short trip to the French capital, when I decided to visit the Musee D’Orsay and see a few of the works of Vincent Van Gogh. I'd been staying at the Village Hostel, up in Montmartre (website here) and after a good night with other guests in the hostel, I was ready to tackle one of Paris' finest museums.So there I was, stood and ready to part with my cash - only to be asked if I was English and under 25. I quietly answered yes, expecting a price increase on the spot – only to be told to go straight through with no charge! This deal saved me about €10 there and then, which was much appreciated. I later found out this deal applies to a whole heap of attractions across the city, including the Musée du Louvre and the Panthéon, making it perfect for culture vultures.


It’s certainly worth knowing about if you’re heading to Paris soon and you’re trying to stick to a tight budget. But then, even if you hadn’t planned on visiting Paris, this might convince you otherwise! So, if you’re coming up to 25, or your country (for some reason) doesn’t want to be part of the EU anymore, get your skates on and get to France! You can see some pretty impressive sights and avoid the cost just by showing your driving license/passport. At the end of the day, it’s really a no-brainer.