MONTMARTRE: A Pilgrim’s, Artist’s, and Sacred Feminine Seeker’s Guide
“There are always two kinds of travelers: those who want to see the world and those who want to change their lives.” - Phil Cousineau, The Art of Pilgrimage
Montmartre is both a hill and a threshold, a place where seekers, artists, and mystics have wandered for centuries. Once a rural village, it became the heartbeat of Parisian bohemia, home to poets, painters, and dreamers who saw the world differently. But Montmartre is also older than its cafés and cabarets. Beneath its cobblestones lie the ruins of ancient temples, silent wells, and the whispers of something sacred.
Whether you come as a pilgrim, an artist, or a sacred feminine seeker, Montmartre offers more than a view—it offers an invitation.
Stop 1: Place des Abbesses – The Threshold Moment
Where past and present meet.
The Story: Named after the powerful abbesses who once ruled Montmartre’s ancient Benedictine abbey, this square is a hidden starting point: less tourist-heavy, more intimate. Here, you’ll find the Mur des Je T’aime (“I Love You Wall”), a modern monument to devotion, as well as a quiet entrance into the winding streets of Montmartre.
For the Pilgrim: Pause before you begin. What intention do you want to carry on this walk? Let this be your pilgrimage, whether for inspiration, healing, or connection.
For the Artist: Observe the energy of the square. How do people move through it? Sketch or write about the atmosphere, capturing its mix of history and daily life.
For the Sacred Feminine Seeker: Reflect on the abbesses who once held spiritual authority here. How does their presence still linger? Stand at the Je T’aime Wall and consider—how does love shape the sacred?
Stop 2: Saint-Pierre de Montmartre – The Oldest Church on the Hill
A sacred space hidden in plain sight.
The Story: While most visitors rush to Sacré-Cœur, few stop at this small, quiet church nearby. One of the oldest in Paris, Saint-Pierre was built over a Roman temple to Mars. It is a place where different spiritual traditions have converged: pagan, Christian, and mystical.
For the Pilgrim: Step inside, light a candle. Notice the worn stone pillars, the silence. This is a place of layers, of prayers left behind by generations. What prayer do you leave here?
For the Artist: Study the play of light inside the church. How does it shape the space? How does architecture tell a story of time? Capture it in words or sketches.
For the Sacred Feminine Seeker: Close your eyes and feel into the space. The divine feminine often exists in places of quiet resistance, held in stone, whispered in history. What does this space whisper to you?
Stop 3: Sacré-Cœur – The Basilica of Eternal Adoration
A beacon of devotion, above the city.
The Story: Built as an offering of repentance and devotion after times of war, Sacré-Cœur is more than an architectural marvel; it is a site of continuous prayer. Day and night, someone is always in adoration here, keeping a sacred vigil over Paris.
For the Pilgrim: Walk up the steps slowly, breathing deeply. With each step, imagine letting go of distraction, arriving fully in the present.
For the Artist: Sit at the top of the hill and draw or write what you feel, not just what you see. How does the view of Paris change when you are above it, apart from it?
For the Sacred Feminine Seeker: Step inside and look up at the golden mosaic of Christ with open arms. Does this space hold both masculine and feminine divine energy? Where do you feel balance here?
Sacred Pause: If possible, stay for the night adoration (Sacred Paris hosts “A Night of Adoration” experience every month live in Paris. Invitations for joining can be found in the Experiences in Paris section for subscribers here.) - this is a moment of profound stillness as the city sleeps below.
Stop 4: Musée de Montmartre & Renoir Gardens – The Spirit of Art in Montmartre
A hidden sanctuary of artistic history and creative inspiration.
The Story: Nestled on a quiet street, the Musée de Montmartre is one of the neighborhood’s best-kept secrets. Housed in a 17th-century building, this museum was once home to legendary artists like Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Suzanne Valadon, and Maurice Utrillo. It captures the bohemian soul of Montmartre, and its gardens offer a peaceful retreat where Renoir once painted some of his most famous works.
For the Pilgrim: Walk through the museum as if visiting the ghosts of artists past. What wisdom lingers in these rooms? Pause in the gardens: how does stillness enhance your journey?
For the Artist: Stand in the gardens and sketch or write: what did Renoir see here? How does place inspire creation? Reflect on how Montmartre has shaped artistic expression for centuries.
For the Sacred Feminine Seeker: Suzanne Valadon, once a muse, became one of the first female painters to break into the male-dominated art world. What does her story awaken in you? What spaces in your own life are calling for reclamation?
Stop 5: The Vineyard of Montmartre – A Living Relic
A place of cycles, growth, and hidden time.
The Story: A rare secret; Montmartre has its own vineyard, one of the last in Paris. Once, this hill was covered in vines, tended by monks and nuns. Today, Clos Montmartre remains a symbol of resilience and tradition.
For the Pilgrim: Wine has long been a symbol of transformation. What in your life is fermenting, deepening, waiting to be revealed?
For the Artist: If your creativity were a vineyard, what stage would it be in: planting, tending, or harvesting? Write or sketch what comes to mind.
For the Sacred Feminine Seeker: Vineyards are deeply tied to the rhythms of nature, to the feminine cycles of creation and renewal. How does this space remind you of your own inner cycles?
Final Reflection: Le Consulat Café – A Place to Integrate
A moment to pause, reflect, and absorb the journey.
The Story: Le Consulat has been a gathering place for artists and wanderers for decades. Picasso, Van Gogh, and countless others once sat here, watching Montmartre unfold.
For the Pilgrim: Write a reflection: what sacred moment surprised you on this walk?
For the Artist: Sketch or jot down one fleeting moment of inspiration from today.
For the Sacred Feminine Seeker: Offer gratitude to the unseen forces that guided your journey today.
Walking Away with Something More
Montmartre is not just a place; it is a conversation, a canvas, a prayer. Whether you came as a pilgrim, an artist, or a seeker of the feminine, this journey has been a threshold.
Which moment resonated most with you? Share your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear how you experienced Montmartre.
Introducing Contributor, Patricia Russo
Immerse yourself in all of Patricia’s articles on her Contributor page.
I used to avoid Montmartre but my daughter, who lives in Paris, has introduced me to some of its quieter spots. We went together to Saint-Pierre de Montmartre, and to me it was well worth ten visits to Sacré Cœur.
I thought I knew Montmartre well but I didn’t know about le Mur des Je t’aime. Definitely somewhere to visit.