Place du Tertre (Tetre Square), Paris
Tertre Square is more than just a square but a living museum of Montmartre's artistic soul. Perched at an altitude of 130 meters, close to the iconic Sacred Heart Basilica and the ancient Church of Saint-Pierre de Montmartre, it marks the historic center of Paris.
Famed worldwide, the square is a hub for artists who, much like their illustrious predecessors 鈥� Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh, Modigliani, and Picasso, drawn by the affordable rent and tax-free wine in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, 鈥� set up their easels here daily to capture the essence of Montmartre for the throngs of tourists. Today, the artistic spirit continues to thrive, and visitors flock to the square to purchase local art and have their portraits painted.
The square itself houses significant sites such as the original town hall of Montmartre, established in 1790, and the restaurant 脌 la M猫re Catherine, dating back to 1793, adding layers to its rich historical narrative.
Its French name 'du Tertre,' sometimes translated as "Grave Hill", or more accurately as "square on a mound", is derived either from its high geographical position or ties to the Dutertre family, dating back to 1503. The area's history is marked by significant events, such as a conflict over cannons stored in the square during the Paris Commune in 1871. Another landmark event associated with the square is when Louis Renault's petroleum-powered car reached it on December 24, 1898, thus heralding the birth of the French automobile industry.
Competition for space in Tertre Square is intense, with artists enduring a ten-year wait for a tiny shared spot. Restrictions limit creations to specific forms of art, namely: paintings, portraits, silhouettes, and caricatures only. Since the 1990s, Tertre Square has also been a battleground for artists' rights amid escalated conflicts with restaurant terraces encroaching on their space.
As a cornerstone of Montmartre's cultural and historical identity, the square features notable buildings and commemorations, including the former town hall, the pioneering restaurant 脌 la M猫re Catherine, and commemorative plaques. A popular legend claims that the term "bistro" was coined in this square in 1814, courtesy of the Russian troops stationed here. Soldiers would shout "bystro," which means "quickly" in Russian, urging their comrades to finish their drinks and return to their duties.
Famed worldwide, the square is a hub for artists who, much like their illustrious predecessors 鈥� Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh, Modigliani, and Picasso, drawn by the affordable rent and tax-free wine in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, 鈥� set up their easels here daily to capture the essence of Montmartre for the throngs of tourists. Today, the artistic spirit continues to thrive, and visitors flock to the square to purchase local art and have their portraits painted.
The square itself houses significant sites such as the original town hall of Montmartre, established in 1790, and the restaurant 脌 la M猫re Catherine, dating back to 1793, adding layers to its rich historical narrative.
Its French name 'du Tertre,' sometimes translated as "Grave Hill", or more accurately as "square on a mound", is derived either from its high geographical position or ties to the Dutertre family, dating back to 1503. The area's history is marked by significant events, such as a conflict over cannons stored in the square during the Paris Commune in 1871. Another landmark event associated with the square is when Louis Renault's petroleum-powered car reached it on December 24, 1898, thus heralding the birth of the French automobile industry.
Competition for space in Tertre Square is intense, with artists enduring a ten-year wait for a tiny shared spot. Restrictions limit creations to specific forms of art, namely: paintings, portraits, silhouettes, and caricatures only. Since the 1990s, Tertre Square has also been a battleground for artists' rights amid escalated conflicts with restaurant terraces encroaching on their space.
As a cornerstone of Montmartre's cultural and historical identity, the square features notable buildings and commemorations, including the former town hall, the pioneering restaurant 脌 la M猫re Catherine, and commemorative plaques. A popular legend claims that the term "bistro" was coined in this square in 1814, courtesy of the Russian troops stationed here. Soldiers would shout "bystro," which means "quickly" in Russian, urging their comrades to finish their drinks and return to their duties.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Paris. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Place du Tertre (Tetre Square) on Map
Sight Name: Place du Tertre (Tetre Square)
Sight Location: Paris, France (See walking tours in Paris)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Paris, France (See walking tours in Paris)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Paris, France
Create Your Own Walk in Paris
Creating your own self-guided walk in Paris is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
St-Germain-des-Pres Walking Tour
This self-guided walk takes you to explore the 6th arrondissement, covering the quarter of St-Germain-des-Pr茅s, the riverside districts and the areas nearby the Luxembourg Garden. It is one of the most expensive districts of Paris, home to posh boutiques, eateries and iconic cafes once favored by philosophers and legendary writers, the likes of Hemingway and Camus. The area is likewise renowned... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Eiffel Tower Walking Tour
The 7th administrative district of Paris, a beacon of affluence and prestige, hosts an elite residential community and numerous national institutions of France, government offices, and diplomatic missions. This historical neighborhood is famed for its quintessentially Parisian architecture, vibrant caf茅s, restaurants, and gourmet shops that attract food enthusiasts from around the world.
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Champs-Elysees Walking Tour
On this self-guided walk you will witness the grandeur of the 8th arrondissement of the French capital 鈥� one of its busiest and chic neighborhoods, thanks to the presence of Avenue des Champs-Elys茅es, Arc de Triomphe, and Place de la Concorde.
Your best plan would be to start with the Triumphal Arch and walk up to its viewing area for great sights down the Champs-脡lys茅es 鈥� a lovely... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Your best plan would be to start with the Triumphal Arch and walk up to its viewing area for great sights down the Champs-脡lys茅es 鈥� a lovely... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
The French Revolution Landmarks Walking Tour
The French Revolution had a huge impact on France's history as it gave rise to a radical democratic republic and resulted in quite a bit of violence during the infamous "Reign of Terror". Even though many of Paris鈥� buildings were damaged in the course of the bloody conflicts, the sites they occupied 鈥� which you can find on this self-guided tour 鈥� are of a great historical... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 7.3 Km or 4.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 7.3 Km or 4.5 Miles
Montmartre Walking Tour
Originally known as "Mons Martis" or the "Mount of Mars," Montmartre is a renowned Parisian neighborhood, celebrated for its historical and cultural significance. This picturesque district is a canvas of landmarks, each narrating a unique story.
Apart from its iconic sites, the area's charm lies in the atmosphere that embodies the Parisian spirit. Historically,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Apart from its iconic sites, the area's charm lies in the atmosphere that embodies the Parisian spirit. Historically,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Latin Quarter Walking Tour
The Latin Quarter of Paris, nestled on the Left Bank of the Seine, is a district steeped in academic history and artistic fervor, resonating with the echoes of scholarly discourse and bohemian lifestyle. This venerable area derives its name from the early use of Latin as the lingua franca in the universities, a tradition spearheaded by the Sorbonne University. This institution has shaped... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
8 Best Food Markets in Paris for Authentic French Produce
The image of Parisians that you may have in your head as strolling through a colourful market with a basket on their arm, chatting to vendors and picking up fresh produce, is quite accurate. Most Parisians do visit local markets at least once a week to stock up on the freshest fruit, vegetables,...
Paris Souvenirs: 19 Distinctively French Products to Bring Home from Paris
You can hardly have enough money and luggage space to get all the takes your fancy in Paris. Luckily, with a little bit of tasteful advice and experience, you can save yourself some time and effort and pick up just about the right amount of things worth taking home. Listed here are some of the hints...
9 Must Try Cafes in Paris
Discovering the best coffee and cafes in Paris can be difficult. The city is filled to the brim with brasseries and cafes, but very few offer the Anglophone standard of a good cup of coffee. This is a guide to inform tourists and Parisians alike of the new and somewhat established cafes in Paris...
Top 16 Vegetarian Restaurants in Paris
The French have great respect for the fresh, organic produce yet France isn鈥檛 famous for its vegetarian cooking. Hence it鈥檚 a good idea for vegetarian visitors to Paris to come prepared in advance. This guide shows you places around the city which serve vegetarian food, complete with the...
10 Unusual Things to Do in Paris, France
If you've visited Paris, you've probably seen the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and Versailles. You probably whizzed through some world-class art, ate delicious food in restaurants with English menus, and bought crepes from a street cart. However, Paris has a lot of things to do that...
15 Places for Tasting Best French Desserts in Paris
If you have a sweet tooth and it wishes to "eat your way" through Paris, this guide will show you how! Featured here are some of the most famous and prominent dessert spots in the French capital, where you can grab something sweet to enjoy. With 20 listed recommendations, you should be...