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To really get a taste of a place, you need to go local. Checking out the tourist traps does not give you much of an authentic experience. In Paris, this means checking out the various little enclaves throughout the city.

As an amazing contrast to the area beneath it, the white Sacre Coeur Basilica sits atop Montmartre as a cherry sits upon a sinfully delicious dessert. Home to everything that has stereotyped Paris over the years, this section of the city is not to be skipped over.

While most tourists can do without seeing the Eiffel Tower (and paying to visit each level) missing Montmartre would be a lot like missing the Coliseum when visiting Rome. One last windmill left upon the infamous hill seems to tell of a time long past while hinting at the beginnings of a new future.

Montmartre watches over the (once scandalous) Moulin Rouge; the dark streets of Pigalle (Pig Alley to many war veterans); and the Paris scene that was once the subject of many great works of art. While it’s true that this area is a weird mix of souvenir stands and suspicious street clowns, it is worth a saunter.

As you head towards Montmartre, try not to get caught up in all the touristic charm of the place. The streets are littered with a patchwork of stands trying to pedal nostalgia, but if you can look past all this you can see the area that many great minds loved to hate centuries ago.

To get a better feel for the authentic Montmartre, I suggest you stay high up on the hill near the Basilica. Wondering the side streets will give you a taste of times past when the area was rough and ready with nary a tourist in sight.

Monet. Picasso. van Gogh. When you walk the streets of Montmartre, you are walking through hallowed ground. Do not let the riff raff distract you from that fact. Get off the main paths and consider what is really around you.

There are certain places in the world where the entire area is the attraction instead of specific buildings. Montmartre is one such place. Yes, you can check out the Moulin Rouge, but stroll the area to get a much bigger experience.

Life is unfortunately often about routines and the same old thing day in and day out. Montmartre is anything but this. The place is dirty, over the top and so full of culture and characters, you will just be smiling and shaking your head. Welcome to Paris!

Tags: Travel Tips

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