We will be in Paris for 4-5 days. We will be visiting in late November. A friend said that the Montmartre area is beautiful and artsy. I was wondering what it would be like in the winter months. Still worth the visit?
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10208 posts
Of course. Here are some views from 100 years ago, but many were painted on cloudy days:
http://www.rosings.com/cover.html
You can see original Utrillo paintings in the Orangerie and Orsay Museums.
Posted by
Paris
2466 posts
Since Montmartre is built on a high bluff, it is always windy and much colder up there. It usually rains a lot in November, but won't freeze.
If you can handle the terrain - it's mostly steep slopes or tons of stairs, all cobblestones - and have no mobility issues, it can be a nice place to stay or visit.
The artists and architecture will all still be there, rain or shine. Not much in the way of good restaurants, but you'll survive.
Posted by
Paris
2466 posts
If you really want to see a current day view of Montmartre, use Google Street View and take a tour of the neighborhood. Start at Square Louise Michel, then "walk" the streets up to Sacre Coeur and beyond.
Posted by
53 posts
Montmartre, especially in November will be very nice, in that there won't be too many tourists.
I just love walking aimlessly there. You will get a decent, or better, meal most anywhere there.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4051 posts
Another thing to keep in mind is that the sun sets quite early during winter months so afternoon is over by about 4 or 4:30 p.m.
Posted by
Chicago
8069 posts
Montmartre especially the area around Lamarck Caulaincourt is lovely but 'artsy' -- not so much. There are the faux artists who bug tourists in Place du Tertre but I think real artists have long since left the area.