Passing through Montmartre

It's about 5 km (3.1 miles) from the Marché aux Puces flea market back to our hotel and we decide to walk in order to see the back side of Montmartre.  We've been reading that this is a great area to explore and visit, very different from the heavy-touristic area near the Sacré-Cœur Basilica and the Place du Tertre on the top of the hill.

Leaving the market, we find ourselves walking through narrow streets heading up, guiding ourselves by periodic views of the Basilica.

 Streets of Montmartre

 Heading up

And, finally on the top, we find the crowds!  The Place de la Tertres square is full of artists painting, sketching portraits, and selling their creations.  We stop and watch a few portraits in process.

 Place de la Tertres near Sacré-Cœur

 And, around the corner, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, itself.  Sacré-Cœur is located at the highest point in Paris, started in 1875 and completed in 1914, and can be seen from all over the city.

 Views of Sacré-Cœur

Views across Paris from Sacré-Cœur

We head down the steps from the Basilica and start to wind our way back through the city to our hotel, passing the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret on the way, then, later, through Parc Monceau, near our hotel, with everyone out on the beautiful spring day.

 Moulin Rouge

 Spring day in the park

We've had a lot of variety today and look forward to even more tomorrow.