Most visits to Paris include a stop in Montmartre in the city’s 18th arrondissement. Montmartre is a hill with the beautiful, white-domed Basilica of the Sacre Coeur. Tracing the city’s glorified history from the end of the 19th century and into the 20th, artists flocked to Montmartre, making it their own. The rents were low, with incredible views over Paris. Most importantly, the artist community was most welcoming.
Montmartre became the cultural center for Monet, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, Picasso, Renoir, Modigliani, Degas, Picasso and Pissarro to name a few. Artists have come to Montmartre for the French spirit of creation and art for decades. Chanteuse Edith Piaf lived not far from the famed “Moulin Rouge.”
Located on one of Montmartre’s oldest streets and in the center of Montmartre village, this historic 3,000-square-foot home is currently listed at (about US $4.44 million). There are five bedrooms on four levels with a private elevator, each with a private garden or view of Sacre Coeur. Not often found in Paris and the heart of Montmartre is a private swimming pool. A rooftop terrace with panoramic views completes the appeal of this home.
Montmartre’s artist connection is tied directly to the home, with the current owner being an art dealer. There is even a portion of the property available for commercial use. An art gallery, perhaps.
Anna Sherbinina, a broker with France’s Groupe Mercure, says the buyer for the home may be, “someone who truly loves Paris and will enjoy living an authentic French lifestyle in the best area.” The surrounding neighborhood is a wonderland of cultural delights with numerous restaurants, bistros, cafés, and art galleries. Then there is the panoramic view of the Sacré Coeur and Paris.
If a Paris apartment is on your wish list, several around the City of Light. On the market for about US $3.11 million are two apartments totaling 1,507 square feet at the apex of the Champs Elysée rotary and the Faubourg Saint-Honoré street. Both can be combined to create an elegant three-bedroom apartment.
A two-bedroom penthouse apartment near the Point de l’ Alma in the 7th is on the market for US $2.65 million. It boasts terraces, views, and parking. The building has a caretaker, security surveillance, and French gardens.
Owning property in France is allowed for Americans as there are no restrictions on foreigners purchasing homes. Do consider there is quite a paper maze to navigate to complete a transaction there. The amount of time you can spend at your Paris pied-à-terre is dependent on your Visa status.
Groupe Mercure is an exclusive member of Forbes Global Properties, a consumer marketplace and membership network of elite brokerages selling the world’s most luxurious homes.