Le Bateau-Lavoir

Welcome to the heart of Montmartre's artistic soul, the Place Émile-Goudeau. Before you stands a building that looks like a simple, somewhat rustic facade, but this is the hallowed ground of the Bateau-Lavoir. …

The square where you are standing, Place Émile-Goudeau, serves as the stage for the Bateau-Lavoir’s humble exterior. Notice the Wallace Fountain nearby, one of the many public drinking fountains donated by Sir Richard Wallace to…

As we walk slightly down Rue Ravignan, feel the incline of the hill. This street was the lifeline for the artists, connecting them to the rest of Montmartre. …

Standing on the northern side of the building, we can reflect on the internal layout that made the Bateau-Lavoir so unique. It was a 'vertical village' of sorts. …

Just a short walk from the Bateau-Lavoir takes us toward the remaining vestiges of rural Montmartre, such as the Clos Montmartre vineyard. In the 12th century, these vines were everywhere, and the wine was famously considered…

Montmartre itself is a place of deep legend, which permeated the consciousness of the artists at the Bateau-Lavoir. The name 'Montmartre' is often linked to the 'Mount of Martyrs'. …

As we descend toward the Abbesses metro station, we encounter a more contemporary tribute to the spirit of connection that the Bateau-Lavoir once fostered: The Wall of Love (Le Mur des Je t'aime). While built in 2000, it stands…

As our tour of the Bateau-Lavoir and its surroundings concludes, take one last look at the quiet facade. It is hard to believe that within these walls, the very definition of modern vision was forged. …