Everyone knows that France is still the world’s most popular tourist destination and Paris was always the first stop on the Grand Tour. Montmartre, which is one of the city’s most famous tourist destinations after the Louvre and the Eiffel Tour is the name of an area in the 18th arrondissement at the north of Paris, taking its name from the 130 meter high hill on which sits the famous Basilica of the Sacré Coeur. Whatever your take on churches or the architecture of the Sacré Coeur, its location gives breath-taking views over the city. Getting there up the 222 steps can also be breath taking – but for the less sporty there is the excellent Montmartrobus that will pick you up almost opposite the apartment or the funicular railway.

The list of artists who have lived in Monmartre reads like a who’s who of nineteenth and twentieth century art - Picasso and Modigliani to name but two and the Place du Tertre is full of contemporary artists who’ll whip up your portrait while you wait.
Montmartre is claimed to have initially become a popular drinking area due to the wine production of the local nuns and there are still vines here today, but rather like the artists in the Place du Tertre, they’re unlikely to produce memorable historic vintages. (See Events)

You can’t mention Montmartre without thinking of the Moulin Rouge, the spiritual home of the can-can. Star of no less than six films of the same name, it is still a thriving cabaret and very popular tourist destination. Talking of films, try to watch the 2001 film Amélie – or Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain ("The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain") to give it its full title, which takes place in the streets and bars surrounding the apartment. Still on the subject of the cinema, just round the corner is the famous Studio 28 Cinema, which still has its original light fittings designed by Jean Cocteau. Even if you don’t want to watch a film, you can always pop in for a drink in the delightful bar.

There are also two theatres within walking distance of the apartment – Theatre Les Abbesses at 31 rue Les Abbesses and just a little further on the Théâtre de l'Atélier.