18th arrondissement of Paris, Administrative district in northern Paris, France
The 18th arrondissement includes four neighborhoods – Grandes-Carrières, Clignancourt, La Goutte-d'Or, and La Chapelle – that stretch across the northern part of Paris. The Montmartre hill rises in the west and the streets slope down toward the flatter eastern sections where markets and apartment blocks fill the lanes.
This district became part of Paris on January 17, 1860, when the city expanded its borders and absorbed surrounding communes. Montmartre remained a separate village with vineyards and windmills on its slopes until the annexation.
The name Montmartre derives from "hill of martyrs" and today the hillside hosts painters who set up easels in small squares where visitors watch them work. Artists continue to sell portraits and sketches along the sloping streets that wind between cafes and shops.
Several metro lines cross the district and connect its neighborhoods to the center, with stations near intersections and shopping streets. The steep slopes of Montmartre require comfortable shoes, while the eastern sections are flat and easier to explore on foot.
A small vineyard still survives on the Montmartre hill and produces a limited amount of wine each year. The autumn harvest is celebrated with a local festival where residents and visitors can walk through the vines.
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