Down Rue du Calvaire in Montmartre...

Rue du Calvaire is one of those Montmartre streets that is really a staircase. From the upper slopes of the hill, the steps descend towards Rue Gabrielle, linking the area around the Sacré-Cœur and Place du Calvaire with the streets below. The route is short, only about 54 metres but the change in atmosphere is considerable.

The street dates from the old commune of Montmartre and was incorporated into Paris's road network in 1863. Its name comes from a calvary erected near the top of the butte in 1805.

Today, the staircase makes a useful shortcut off the main tourist route, leading down towards the quieter, more village-like streets around Rue Gabrielle and Rue des Abbesses. It is also a reminder that Montmartre is a hill before it is a tourist attraction and some of its most interesting streets are those that simply go up or down it.

“The streets of Paris are best explored without hurry — they reveal themselves only to the unhurried.”

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Part of the “Streets of Paris” Series

Each Saturday, we wander through the streets of Paris — tracing light, texture, and the quiet poetry of daily life.

Browse the full series

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