Paris Always Walk

Cultural Independent Tours


May 17, 2020

#PARIS #UNLOCKED Day 1-3

🗼Paris Always Walk🗼 Independent Tours  is offering, virtually, to  you a glimpse of the unique #Montmartre #Paris and much more of the #city of #Light,  starting today, May 11, 2020,  the beginning of  the ease  of #confinement.

Come along- when ever will be possible for you to be back in #Paris – to #discover and #explore  not only #Montmartre Village but also the listed tours on website www.parisalwayswalk.com , as the #French #government has allowed #Parisians to move freely, without any ‘ document permit’ that had been required during the #lockdown  of the #Covid19 #pandemic, following the measures of self-protection and protecting the others.

#Paris  #Unlocked  Day 1 -windy

#SacreCoeur basilica and the panorama view of #Paris, in windy  day 1  of #unlocked  #deconfinement Paris .

 

Going downhill #Montmartre, in Place Blanche, #restaurants # bars and #MoulinRouge are still closed, yet the traffic of the #cars and  #scooters can be heard, the sign the #French #economy has been partially #reopened.

 

Pont des Arts, or better known as  #Pont des Amoureux ( #Bridge of #Lovers) – a pedestrian one ( 1801), is one of the favorite passage, for those crossing over Rive Droite a Rive Gauche  ( from right #bank to the left one),  with a marvelous view  upon #TourEiffel, far away. It’s the very same bridge where  the, #remake of #Sabrina #film ( 1995) had the final💖 kiss: the beautiful Sabrina and the wealthy Linus. How #romantic is that!

 

Even though #deconfinement , as #French have it, is still restrictive in 4 departments of #France,   #Paris included, when grand #museums  #Louvre , #MuseeOrsey, for instance,  grand #shopping centers  #Printemps ,  #GalleriesLaFayette , public #parks  #gardens and #schools are still closed,   the 2 main  green #lungs of  #Paris  are open to the public  Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes,  and the banks of #river Seine, as well, which makes the difference for the open-air exercise

 

  #Paris #Unlocked  Day 2 – sunny

#SacreCoeur  basilica ( 1914)  uphill  Butte #Montmartre can be  seen in the aura of a  #Parisian blue #sky  in her full splendor, given by the impressive architecture and the bright white stoned construction, visible from  most heights of #Paris.

 

 Paris Always Walk Independent Tours  has ‘ crossed over the border’ of #Montmartre #Village for the 1st time, in #unlockdown, in 56 days of tough restrictions and has got some captures , #walking along #river #Seine.

Created as ‘ voie express’ ( rapid traffic lane) in 1967, the  right low bank of #river Seine- voie G. Pompidou, has become a promenade one, recently. Closed during #lockdown till May 11, 2020, the lane is now back, animated with bikers, pedestrians, picnics getting people together with more or less taking into account #social #distancing, admiring the #sunset, down the river and  Pont Neuf ( 1607) ( New Bridge), by the west side of Ile-de -la -Cite ( City Isle).

 

The most famous #art #museum in the world,  #Louvre is visited by millions of people, from all corners of the our #planet.  The rich #art #collection,  with more than 35k items exhibited, was started by the kings of #France.

Palais du Louvre,   was the royal residence of  King Charles V ( 1338-1380) interested in #Italian #Renaissance and King Francois I (1494-1547) who enriched the collection by purchasing ‘ Gioconda’ after the death of Leonardo da Vinci , in 1519, among other paintings of the same #artists.

#Roi  Solei ,  Louis XIV , King of France ( 1638-1715) was an art lover and grand collector. He “loved all- in its splendor, magnificence and profusion” as one of the memorialist of his time, Duc de Saint- Simon, described the #King’s taste. During his long role as a monarch of Kingdom of #France, he founded   ‘Academie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture’ ( 1638). “He was a rather great king”( Saint Simon). Many other leaders of #France have contributed to the  Louvre art collection over centuries.

Louvre opened as a  #MuseeLouvre in 1793 – Art #Museum.

 

 #Paris #Unlocked  Day 3– chilly

The northern side of #SacreCoeur basilica ( 1914)  might be less visited than the opposite one, with the main entrance.  Yet, la campanile, the bell-tower (84m)  is an interesting architectural feature, completing the whole ensemble of Roman- Byzantine #architecture, designed by #French #architect Paul Abadie in 1874 and finished by  architect Lucien Magne.   This imposing  belfry holds the largest bell in #France: ‘ La Savoyarde’

(3m in diameter and 1,8 tons), made in Savoie, #France ( 1895).

 

Butte de #Montmartre ‘ s Place de Tertre  is known as #Place des #Artistes, where many #artists hire 1m2 for their #chevalet ( easel), brushes, painting tubes, papers and work. Tourists, happy to have reached  the top of the Montmartre Hill gladly would have their portrait sketched, in no time, by one of the painters, trying to demonstrate her/ his talent. As never seen before, this popular square with petits  #restaurants and #cafes, seems deserted since the beginning of the #confinement.

 

At dusk, walking along #river Seine, even though the leisure boats full of tourists are not seen, temporarily, during the #confinement, the #romantic #city has not lost its #magic. In the  dimmed light,  on admire both the beautiful Pont Alexandre III ( 1900). The first stone was laid down by the #Emperor of #Russia  Nicholai  II,  ( 1896) in the presence of  #French  #President Faure, as a symbol of French- Russian alliance. The bridge Alexandre III was part of the #Universal #Exhibition in Paris.

 

and  #sunset over the #city of #Paris…

 

For the same Universal Exhibition in #Paris , another wonderful work in metal was created ( 1889) by the #French engineer  G. Eiffel. The well-known La Tour Eiffel   #EiffelTower, has to become, after being rescued from demolition by the end of the exhibition, the symbol of #Paris. The capture is taken from Pont d’Alma ( 1854).

 

 See more of🗼 Paris Always Walk🗼 photos and videos taken during the #lockdown and #unlocked  #Paris, visit its  Instagram / Twitter / Face Book.

 

Join in   Paris Always Walk Independent Tours, in small groups of max 10 visitors/ travelers,  taking into account
#social #distancing and  your wearing  #masks.
 #staysafe
                                                                                      Text& captures by  Jillian. E Andrei – Founder/ Independent Local Guide
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May 11, 2020

#PARIS #COUNTDOWN #LOCKDOWN: last weekend

” After clouds, sunshine”
🗼Paris Always Walk🗼 Independent Tours  is offering, virtually, to  you a glimpse of the unique #Montmartre #Paris  in  #lockdown
 Countdown, starting today, May 1, 2020, till the ease of #confinement on May 11, 2020 .

Come along- when ever will be possible for you- to #discover and #explore this bohemian quarter of #city of #love : Montmartre Village.

The last weekend  #lockdown  #countdown day 2 and day1 till day  #deconfinement , it has been ,for many #Parisians, full of mixed  feelings  between so- much -desired – needed – freedom of movement without ‘a honor- declaration paper’ to be presented to the  police and the fear or anxiety of the still present  #covid19 #virus- throughout #Paris area, the  #French #capital included.

Easing #lockdown  on forthcoming Monday is going to be ” After clouds, sunshine” for  some small and middle size shops, among them the most awaited #coiffeur ones. At least, the hair -do could be admired, if the color of the lipstick won’t, due to a compulsory  masks in public transport in #Paris.

This weekend, the last in the row of 6 restricted ones,  has been rather animated in the streets of #Montmartre , people doing  essential  shopping  with the vital #French baquette  to be seen in the hands of all those who are by birth of have become #Montmartrois.

🗼 Paris Always Walk🗼Independent Tours is offering you  #Paris in #lockdown view from #SacreCoeur,  never seen before, since the existence of this most visited  uphill  spot of the #city of Paris.
 For the first time, in years,  a splendid group of  coquelicot  rouge ( red poppy) that #French language is, metaphorically associated with  a coque crest- the Gallic symbol.
#Montmartre Village ‘s tiny rue Norvins, named after the Baron de Montbreton de Norvins ( 1769-1854), a historian of #Napoleon I, is the main touristic route to Place  des Artistes ( Place de Tertre). with the former rural houses used as sweet shops or small art galleries or #creperies where you can still listen to a classical piano or petits restaurants, where young #artists tried out  their talents, #painters # musicians #poets.  The charismatic #Belgian Jacques Brel used to sing in one of these places,  when he first came to #Paris, later to become a much admired #singer in #France.
 Before #lockdown, rue Norvins was populated with visitors and travelers heading to #SacreCoeur, to become an empty, quiet one during the #confinement.

 

‘La Maison Rose’ has kept his charm since its beginning , in the 18th C. Placed at the corner of two village routes, used to be visited by artists of the village who lived not far, uphill in a house, that is at the present  #Musee de #Montmartre.  The  #French painter Maurice Utrillo ( 1883-1955) an admirer of his birth village,  #Montmartre , painted ‘ La Petite Maison Rose’ ( 1900) and ‘Le Carrefour de la rue des Saules et rue Cortot a Montmartre’ (1938).

At the end of the 19thC, a countryside  19years old woman came to #Montmartre to start a new life. Her beauty , quickly was remarked by the eyes of the painters, whom they were happy to have as a model for their work.  After changing the surname  into Suzanne to  better fit  her time,  she became herself a painter, under the  precious guidance of her masters, namely Renoir et Degas. Suzanne Valadon (1865-1938) the ‘  #French -woman- painter’ in the world of art dominated by men,  lived with her natural son, Maurice Utrillo in Montmartre , rue Cortot. They both rest in peace in the cemetery, St. Vincent,  not far from ‘La Maison Rose’, in #Montmartre.
The #French #Impressionist #painter, Auguste  Renoir (1841-1919) made ‘Le Portrait de Suzanne Valadon’ ( 1886).
#Coronavirus #pandemic has hit France as well. Since March 17, 2020, the country has been in #lockdown, with rather harsh restrictions , both for the protection of the population and for helping the medical staff to deal with the pretty high number of  hospitalized people.👍
 Not only doctors and nurses have been  front- line fighters, but all the workers, on back stage:  medical researchers & scientists, IT specialists, police force, electricians,  rubbish collectors,  boulangers,  firefighters,  military, pilots, bus drivers, post- office staff, farmers, and many more  food suppliers and transporters.🙌
 For

See more of🗼 Paris Always Walk🗼  photos and videos taken during the #lockdown  #Paris, visit its  Instagram / Twitter / Face Book.
Join in   Paris Always Walk Independent Tours #countdown  #lockdown.
 #staysafe
  See you soon in Paris!
  Text& captures by  Jillian. E Andrei – Founder/ Independent Local Guide
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all these brave🌷 people, every day, at 8pm -applause, expressing gratitude,  all over the Montmartre  Village / Paris.🌷

jill andrei

6:41 PM (1 hour ago)
to me

 

May 09, 2020

#PARIS #COUNTDOWN #LOCKDOWN: 4 DAYS to GO

🗼Paris Always Walk🗼 Independent Tours  is offering, virtually, to  you a glimpse of the unique #Montmartre #Paris  in  #lockdown
 Countdown, starting today, May 1, 2020, till the ease of #confinement on May 11, 2020 .
 Come along- when ever will be possible for you- to #discover and #explore this bohemian quarter of #city of #love : Montmartre Village.
#Paris in #confinement means freedom for the birds and small insects  you can see and listen to, peacefully , all over #Montmartre Village and uphill  Butte #Montmartre.  They do not fear humans so much any more, as traffic  has been reduced to  almost zero, since the #lockdown #city.

 

One of the most visited streets in #Montmartre #Village is rue Lepic, starting at Place Blanche , going uphill till  the #RDV with rue Norvin.
 The first part, downhill is more #commercial, as the upper side is residential with  petits #restaurants and #art galleries,  closed at the present..
#French #culture means wine as well.  Paris Always Walk  Independent Tours underlines this important aspect of  #France:  it is rather usual to see a person carrying a bottle of wine, especially  in the evening hours  to join  le #dinner, without anyone  starring at, especially when a woman, as it can happen in other  cultures.
Usually, glass waste is  collected into special containers and get recycled.
 During #stayhome ( almost 2 months) on #lockdown #Paris, with all  #bistros #bars #restaurants  closed, #Parisians have been  #takeaway a glass or a bottle of #wine and a #bite.
One of the most popular #cabaret on the northern slope of   #Montmartre was  ‘Lapin Agile’  ( 1860). Many  young artists , singers , dancers were invited to demonstrate their talents  on the stage, singing  #French #chansons at the delight of the  travelers  or writers or  painters.
The young painter Picasso, who arrived at the age of 19 in #Montmartre in  rue Gabrielle,  penniless, used to go to ‘Lapin Agile’ ( Rapid Bunny) and have a meal payed  to the proprietor,  rather often, with his own drawings.
 In his #selfportrait,  Picasso is to be seen in the #cabaret  #LapinAgile  in the character of an  #arlechin  ( clown), circus life being a favorite theme of that period in the creation of  #Picasso, mingled with the crowd of the place, having a glass of wine with  Frede, a friend of the painter.   ‘ Self Portrait’  ( 1905)  Picasso  was 24 years old.
See more of🗼 Paris Always Walk🗼 photos and videos taken during the #lockdown  #Paris, visit its  Instagram / Twitter / Face Book.
Join in   Paris Always Walk Independent Tours #countdown  #lockdown.
 #staysafe
                                                                                      Text& captures by  Jillian. E Andrei – Founder/ Independent Local Guide
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May 08, 2020

#PARIS #COUNTDOWN #LOCKDOWN: 5 DAYS to GO

🗼Paris Always Walk🗼 Independent Tours  is offering, virtually, to  you a glimpse of the unique #Montmartre #Paris  in  #lockdown
 Countdown, starting today, May 1, 2020, till the ease of #confinement on May 11, 2020 .
 Come along- when ever will be possible for you- to #discover and #explore this bohemian quarter of #city of #love : Montmartre Village.

Today, May 7, 2020  🗼 Paris Always Walk🗼Independent Tours is offering you  #Paris in #lockdown view from #SacreCoeur,  never seen before, since the existence of this most visited  uphill  spot of the #city of Paris.

#Paris  in #confinement   brings out the best of  artists in #Montmartre:  #dancer  changed her private studio with an open- air one on  Butte Montmartre ( the top of the hill ), with a marvelous panorama view of the #city of #Paris.

#Montmartre is a real treat for everyone who  like  traveling, exploring and safying an artistic and cultural curiosity.
Once upon the time, there was a village with windmills and vineyards and green patches in #Montmartre Village . The spirit of the village is still be seen  in the shapes of  last two windmills  on Butte known  under one name: Le Moulin de la Galette ( 1622)
 Both windmills have become not only a photography collection, but an infinite  inspiration source for the #artists of #Impressionism  and later, of the painters of the 20th C.
When Vincent  #VanGogh came to Paris to join his beloved brother, Theo van Gogh, in  rue Lepic #Montmartre, he was enchanted by the open spaces of the village, the vegetable gardens , the getting together at his  #artist pal, Toulouse- Lautrec, the coffee time at Cafe ‘Le Consulat’ or  playing billard a ‘ La Bonne Francquette’ and painting, painting, painting in the #French  bright light of the sky of Montmartre’s  artistic  spirit.
    Both #MoulindelaGalette’  bring the  breeze of the #Dutch  ‘ molen’ ( mills) to  Vincent, who will paint them with human silhouette  or as a singular character of the  rural landscape.
One of the first paintings with #MoulindelaGalette was made in  the year of Vincent’s arrival in #Montmartre #Paris.
 ‘ Moulin de la Galette  vu de la rue Girardon’ , in 1886,  almost monochromatic, as most of his previous paintings made in his native country – #Netherlands / #Holland.
 Paris Always Walk Independent Tours offers you  ‘ Moulin de la Galette’  view with rue Girardon,  after 134 years, the very same windmill of  the #heritage of #Montmartre, on May7,  2020, in #lockdown  #Paris.
 See more of🗼 Paris Always Walk🗼 photos and videos taken during the #lockdown  #Paris, visit its  Instagram / Twitter / Face Book.
Join in   Paris Always Walk Independent Tours #countdown  #lockdown.
 #staysafe
                                                                                      Text& captures by  Jillian. E Andrei – Founder/ Independent Local Guide
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May 07, 2020

#PARIS #COUNTDOWN #LOCKDOWN: 6 DAYS to GO

🗼Paris Always Walk🗼 Independent Tours  is offering, virtually, to  you a glimpse of the unique #Montmartre #Paris  in  #lockdown
 Countdown, starting today, May 1, 2020, till the ease of #confinement on May 11, 2020 .
 Come along- when ever will be possible for you- to #discover and #explore this bohemian quarter of #city of #love : Montmartre Village.
 Today, May 6, 2020  🗼 Paris Always Walk🗼  Independent Tours is offering you  #Paris in #lockdown view from #SacreCoeur,  never seen before, since the existence of this most visited   uphill  spot of the #city of Paris.

and La Tour Eiffel , in the back ground, unique image from  Butte Montmartre.
‘ My village Montmartre’  has tiny, charming back streets to be discovered.
  In the  WW1, #French #military  participated in the  #Balkan area, in Eastern Europe together with their allies. This street , named till 1987 ‘ Rue de  L’Orient’  when it was changed- to render homage to the soldiers of the battles – into ‘Rue de l’Armee de L’Orient’,  with a small theater belonging to a  long-life- successful- famous – theater – film  -French #actor, Michel Galabru ( 1922-2016) – ‘Theatre Galabru’.
At the end of the 19thC,  #Montmartre Village attracted artists, writers, poets from all over Europe.  One of the residents of the village, a young  with a high sense of humor  French #poet and painter,  Max  Jacob (1876-1944)  has a funny idea to ‘ baptize’ a residence where artists had their ‘ petits ateliers  (studios) with the only sink, in  a long corridor,  ‘ Bateau Lavoir’ ( ship with a sink).   ” Bateau Lavoir’ hosted evenings where music, philosophy , poetry, and art works where accompanied by a glass or more of red wine,  a more ‘ intellectual’ spirit than couple of streets downhill at  #MoulinRouge, the famous #cabaret.

‘Bateau Lavoir’ the temple of artists, partially destroyed by a cruel blaze in 1970, can be easily seen from the richly green in chestnut trees, old  old green benches and green ‘ Fontaine Wallace’ ( 1871) in the painting of the #French -Montmartrois #artist  Maurice Utrillo ( 1883-1955) in his work ‘ Place Ravignan’ (1911)

 

 See more of🗼 Paris Always Walk🗼 photos and videos taken during the #lockdown  #Paris, visit its  Instagram / Twitter / Face Book.
Join in   Paris Always Walk Independent Tours #countdown  #lockdown.
 #staysafe
                                                                                      Text& captures by  Jillian. E Andrei – Founder/ Independent Local Guide
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May 06, 2020

#PARIS #COUNTDOWN #LOCKDOWN: 7 DAYS to GO

🗼Paris Always Walk🗼 Independent Tours  is offering, virtually, to  you a glimpse of the unique #Montmartre #Paris  in  #lockdown
 Countdown, starting today, May 1, 2020, till the ease of #confinement on May 11, 2020 .
 Come along- when ever will be possible for you- to #discover and #explore this bohemian quarter of #city of #love : Montmartre Village.
 Today, May 5, 2020  🗼 Paris Always Walk🗼  Independent Tours is offering you  #Paris in #lockdown view from #SacreCoeur,  never seen before, since the existence of this most visited   uphill  spot of the #city of Paris.
#Coronavirus pandemic has hit France as well. Since March 17, 2020, the country has been in #lockdown, with rather harsh restrictions , both for the protection of the population and for helping the medical staff to deal with the pretty high number of  hospitalized people.👍
 Not only doctors and nurses have been  front- line fighters, but all the workers, on back stage:  medical researchers & scientists, IT specialists, police force, electricians,  rubbish collectors,  boulangers,  firefighters,  military, pilots, bus drivers, post- office staff, farmers, and many more  food suppliers and transporters.🙌
 For all these brave🌷 people, every day, at 8pm -applauses , expressing gratitude,  all over the Montmartre  Village / Paris.🌷

 

#Confinement means restrictions.  #Parisians can go jogging or walking or working out, between 7pm and 10 am, in  #Paris. ( under ‘ La Mairie de Paris’ local rules).
It also means that the traffic has been reduced to almost zero, except  public transport and essential needs transportation. The impact on nature is highly positive. The air pollution has decreased significantly.  The air is more pure than ever, mainly on ‘ Butte Montmartre’.
In Montmartre Village on discover steadily more charming spots with typical  #Parisian lanterns and red climbing roses:
or with  double- flowered white lily (lilac), described for the first time by the #Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1778. Symbol of  #Love in many countries, even  a state flower ( #NewJersery – #USA),   in  Eastern  #European countries such as  #Greece, #Cyprus or #Lebanon is  associated with Easter celebration  and called ‘paschalia’, from  ‘ Pascha’ in #Greek language.
 At the end of the 19th century, after the Second Empire of #Napoleon III ( 1871), the booming economy gave the people of #Paris more hope for a peaceful time, with no wars: it’s the beginning of a ‘ new era’ known in the history of #Paris as ‘ La Belle Epoque’  (the Beautiful Time).
 It’s the beginning of the preparation for the ‘ Universal #Exhibition’ and of remarkable  achievements in #architecture , fashion,  artistic life, literature,  food and entertainment, today the rich cultural  #heritage of  #city of #light – 🗼
In  #Montmartre Village it is  #MoulinRouge  ( the Red Windmill) the famous #cabaret.  Considered a place of  #decadence  at the beginning (1889) ,  #MoulinRouge turned, very soon,  into an attractive- getting -together place, where song, dance, wine, music and food where making- the Parisians- flooding in.  Among them, the young, promising artist.
 Did  Moulin Rouge become one of the most well-known #cabaret , not only in #Montmartre Village  #Paris, but in the world,  thanks to  an artist, or the artist became  famous due to   Moulin Rouge?  That’s the question!🤔
Indeed, the #French  #artist   Henri de Toulouse- Lautrec ( 1864-1901), the rich -poor soul, a wealthy painter in a bohemian  Montmartre #Village, was one of the ‘ habituel de la maison’ a friend of  the dancers and singers-  on and back- stage- whom he diligently portrayed,  painted, illustrated with sincere admiration.
 
 Toulouse- Lautrec ‘s popularity was large among both Montmartrois ( people of Montmartre) and his artist fellows.
The #French post- #Impressionist  painter,  Eduard Vuillard  ( 1868-1940)  painted his friend in  ‘Toulouse- Lautrec a Villeneuve-sur- Yonne’  (1898).
One year after the opening of Moulin Rouge,  Toulouse- Lautrec painted ‘ La Dance a Moulin Rouge’  ( 1890) a vivid scene of  #French #CanCan  dance and the fashion trend of the end of the 19thC in #Paris of ‘ Belle Epoque’.
See more of 🗼Paris Always Walk🗼 photos and videos taken during the #lockdown  #Paris, visit its  Instagram / Twitter / Face Book.
Join in virtually, at the time being, 🗼Paris Always Walk🗼 Independent Tours #countdown  #lockdown.
 #staysafe
  Text& captures by  Jillian. E Andrei – Founder/ Independent Local Guide
🗼  Paris Always Walk 🗼 Independent Tours
May 05, 2020

#PARIS #COUNTDOWN #LOCKDOWN: 8 DAYS to GO

MAY 4, 2020

Paris Always Walk Independent Tours  is offering, virtually, to  you a glimpse of the unique #Montmartre #Paris  in  #lockdown
 Countdown, starting today, May 1, 2020, till the ease of #confinement on May 11, 2020 .
 Come along- when ever will be possible for you- to #discover and #explore this bohemian quarter of #city of #love : Montmartre Village.
 Today, May 4, 2020,Paris Always WalkIndependent Tours is offering you  #Paris in #lockdown view from #SacreCoeur,  never seen before, since the existence of this most visited   uphill  spot of the #city of Paris.

Infinitely beautiful! Panorama view from ‘Butte de #Montmartre’  Sacre-Coeur   of the #city of #Paris is splendid at any moment of the day, from dawn to dusk, from evening to night.

On the east side of ‘ Butte de Montmartre’ the slope is rather steep. The tiny street ‘Chevalier de la Barre’ with its stair ways and typical constructions  ‘Montmartrois’  makes you think, with sympathy,  of this knight de la Barre, who died in 1766, at the age of 19, the victim of religious dogmatism of that time.

 

 

On the very same ‘Butte de Montmartre’ there is a much smaller  Catholic church ‘Saint- Pierre de Montmartre’  – St.Peter’s, one of the oldest in #Paris. With its Gothic architecture, ‘ Saint Pierre de Montmartre’ spirit brings you 870 years back. Being the only visitor of this magnificent church, built on the grounds of the Roman temple dedicated to Mercury, one can  explore it in every detail. The light coming through the open huge central door is overwhelming.

Going uphill to Sacre-Coeur you will be enchanted by the romantic fountain and garden, built in 1860, during the Second Empire, where art exhibitions are frequently organized under the patronage of ‘ Commanderie  du Clos Montmartre’, who also mange the last vineyard of the village, on the north side of ‘ Butte de Montmartre’.

 

 See more of Paris Always Walk photos and videos taken during the #lockdown  #Paris, visit its  Instagram / Twitter / Face Book.
Join in   Paris Always Walk Independent Tours #countdown  #lockdown.
 #staysafe
  Text& captures by  Jillian. E Andrei – Founder/ Independent Local Guide
  Paris Always Walk Independent Tours

 

May 04, 2020

#PARIS #COUNTDOWN #LOCKDOWN: 9 DAYS to GO

 MAY 3, 2020

Paris Always Walk Independent Tours  is offering, virtually, to  you a glimpse of the unique #Montmartre #Paris  in  #lockdown
 Countdown, starting today, till the ease of #confinement on May 11, 2020 .
 Come along- when ever will be possible for you- to #discover and #explore this bohemian quarter of #city of #love : Montmartre Village.
 Today, May 3, 2020, Paris Always Walk Independent Tours is offering you  #Paris in #lockdown view from #SacreCoeur,  never seen before, since the existence of this most visited   uphill  spot of the #city of Paris.
Wandering in the empty streets of #Montmartre during the #confinement makes you feel the like an explorer of unknown territory.  The stair ways- beautiful and solid constructions of the 19th century, flanked by old street lanterns and  families of  trees blossom- acacia, at this time, the joy of the bees and their season honey. Acacia, believed or not was, for the first time named by a #Swedish botanist in 1773, just by curiosity.
 #Montmartre is  rich in small squares and #secret #gardens- a delight for kids and their families. Closed at this time, the birds have taken the stage.

The 19th and the beginning of the 20th century,  #Montmartre Village was the ‘nest’ of the great artistic creations. Maurice Utrillo ( 1883-1955)  was the ‘kid ‘of Montmartre , where he was born, where he lived, where he painted, where he  rests in peace in the small cemetery St. Vincent.
He is the painter of the streets of Montmartre, in their simplicity and beauty.
His painting  from 1910 ,  sends  you back  in this hidden ‘ Impasse Cottin’
Paris Always Walk  Independent Tours  is offering it to you  110 years later , on May 3, 2020 -photo.
 See more of Paris Always Walk photos and videos taken during the #lockdown  #Paris, visit its  Instagram / Twitter / Face Book.
Join in   Paris Always Walk Independent Tours #countdown  #lockdown.
 #staysafe
  Text& captures by  Jillian. E Andrei – Founder/ Independent Local Guide
  Paris Always Walk Independent Tours
May 02, 2020

#PARIS COUNTDOWN #LOCKDOWN : 10 DAYS to GO

MAY 2, 2020

   Paris Always Walk Independent Tours  is offering, virtually, to  you a glimpse of the unique #Montmartre #Paris  in  #lockdown
    Countdown, starting today, till the ease of #confinement on May 11, 2020 .
    Come along- when ever will be possible for you- to #discover and #explore this bohemian quarter of #city of #love : Montmartre Village.
   Today, May 2nd, 2020 , Paris Always Walk  Independent Tours  is offering you a unique image of #SacreCoeur Basilica both from downhill and uphill.
  #SacreCoeur Basilica  is on the top of ‘Butte de Montmartre’  ( #Montmartre Hill) , the highest  of #Paris.
   After  Romans’ temple dedicated to Mars ,  Christians have built worship places on this hill over centuries, till late 19th century when Cardinal Guibert approved the construction of  a basilica ,dedicated to the ‘Heart of God’ / Sacred  Heart.
The history of the place, the position of the hill on the north side of  #Paris and the 360 degree visibility from afar  were enough reasons for the construction of one of the most visited, both by Christian pilgrims and by tourists,  basilica in the world: Sacre-Coeur in #Montmartre  #Paris  – visited in 2019 by 8million travelers/ visitors/tourists.
What is not written in the rather short history of Sacre-Coeur- most of the visitors think it’s an old one, in fact it was  finished in 1914- is  its positive magnetism.  Not only its white-proud- impressive- iconic silhouette is calling you to  it, but also all the romantic stair ways all around it, leading upwards the top, making this hill so admired ,in all seasons.
When you think about Montmartre of the 19th and the 20th century,  your thoughts go back to the ‘ Impressionists’   or to Picasso and Dali, just to mention some.  ‘La Republique de Montmartre’ till 1860, when Baron Haussmann attached it to the  #city of #Paris, under the Second Empire of Napoleon III,  has become an infinite source of inspiration for artists, less known or famous.
 In every episode of this blog you will  read and see the work of the artists in Montmartre /Paris/
 One of the painters who was inspired by the basilica  uphill Montmartre, was  The French Naive Art  painter Camille Bombois ( 1883-1970) , of the ‘School of  Sacred Heart’
  Here is his painting ‘Sacre-Coeur’ – 1932
#Coronavirus pandemic has hit France as well. Since March 17, 2020, the country has been in #lockdown, with rather harsh restrictions  both for the protection of the population and for  helping the medical staff to deal with the pretty high number of  hospitalized people.
 Not only doctors and nurses have been  front- line fighters but all the workers on back stage: police force, electricians,  rubbish collectors,  boulangers,  firefighters,  military, pilots, bus drivers, post- office staff,  and many more  food suppliers and transporters.
 For all these brave people, every day, at 8pm -applauses  , expressing gratitude,  all over the Montmartre  Village / Paris.
If you want to see more of Paris Always Walk photos and videos taken during the #lockdown  #Paris, visit its  Instagram / Twitter / Face Book.
Join in   Paris Always Walk Independent Tours #countdown  #lockdown.
 #staysafe
  Text& captures by  Jillian. E Andrei – Founder/ Independent Local Guide
  Paris Always Walk Independent Tours
May 02, 2020

#PARIS COUNTDOWN #LOCKDOWN : 11 DAYS to GO MAY 1st, 2020 – LABOR DAY!

 

   Paris Always Walk Independent Tours  is offering, virtually, to  you a glimpse of the unique #Montmartre #Paris  in  #lockdown
    Countdown, starting today, till the ease of #confinement on May 11, 2020 .
    Come along- when ever will be possible for you- to #discover and #explore this bohemian quarter of #city of #love : Montmartre Village.
    Today, May 1, 2020, the French tradition is to offer to your dear ones  ‘Muguet’  /  Lily of the Valley.
    Lily of the Valley’s   history  goes back in the  16th century, when  Charles IX, King of France, received a  bouquet de muguet on the 1st of May.
    Ever since, this delicate flower has become a symbol of beginning of the spring, of good time, with ‘ return to happiness’ /’ retour de bonheur’
   Paris Always Walk Independent Tours is offering you a virtual  ‘bouquet de muguet’ with best wishes of health and  happy.
One of the most  rewarding moment, after  going uphill on ‘ Butte de Montmartre’  reaching #SacreCoeur  Basilica, closed since the #lockdown, on March 17, 2020, is the outstanding  panorama view of #Paris.
#Paris is on the 49th day of #confinement with empty streets and famous spots  such as   Place de Tertre , known as ‘ Place des Artistes’
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Going downhill , towards the north of ‘ Butte de Montmartre’  tiny streets  and  secret gardens will  send you back in the history.
During  #lockdown, with no traffic, the birds  are performing for you their joy of being undisturbed.
 Once, an animated square, ‘ Place des Abbesses’ deserted at the present,  seems more like a painting of an unknown yet artist.
If you want to see more of Paris Always Walk photos and videos taken during the #lockdown  #Paris, visit its  Instagram / Twitter / Face Book.
Join in   Paris Always Walk Independent Tours #countdown  #lockdown.
 #STAYSAFE
  Text& captures by  Jillian. E Andrei – Founder/ Independent Local Guide
  Paris Always Walk Independent Tours