Montmartre

Montmartre is the highest point in Paris and the site of the Basilica Sacré-Cœur.  It's also an area in which many artists lived and worked, including Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Pablo Picasso, and Amedeo Modigliani.  Today, artists abound on Place du Tetre, a vibrant area with cafés and shops.  Residential housing climbs up various sections of Montmartre.  The view of the city is stunning.

 The day we visited was overcast, windy, and rainy.  I was battling an injury to my Achilles tendon,  so didn't experience the ascent on foot to Montmartre and the Basilica, about three hundred steps from the lowest point.  The Basilica Sacré-Cœur is relatively young by French standards, completed in 1914 and consecrated in 1919.  It's an imposing structure and with architecture that's very unique among cathedrals in France.  Photography is prohibited within the Basilica, understandable for a place of worship but regrettable as the interior is very beautiful.

The day presented many challenges for making images.  I was prepared for rain, but having done little photography in the rain, I had much to learn about keeping my camera dry, pointing it at a scene, and making an image that might be interesting to look at or tell a story.  When reflecting on the day, the weather made it feel very monochromatic, so I ended up making most of the images black and white.  There were, however, times when color presented itself vibrantly or in more subtle ways, even now eliciting a smile when I view the images and think of  the things surrounding the scene.  The portrait artists were fascinating to watch and faced many of the same challenges as I.

Even with the wind and rain, there was such energy among the people around Montmartre.  Like so many other places, I look forward to visiting again.

An artist at Place du Tetre drawing a portrait of a visitor.

An artist at Place du Tetre drawing a portrait of a visitor.