And maybe in person on your next visit to Paris… !
The Sacré Coeur of Montmartre
I am a native who loves her city. I’d be delighted to welcome you in person and share my Montmartre with you, off the beaten track, discovering all the best spots of the village often missed by visitors and the most famous spots of the village too (Place du Tertre and the Sacré Coeur)
Book you private visit, for you only !
Please, keep an eye on this page :The next videos filmed in Montmartre at night will be added to this page (except the Iphone live videos because of their lower quality)
Dalida was a famous singer from the 60s to the 80s and an icon. Still now. Her success was huge and Dalida has had and still has great great fans in France (and also abroad). One of the main squares in Montmartre has been named after her. For many, Dalida is a myth, a legend, a diva. She received more than 70 gold records. She sold more than 170 million albums worldwide. However her private life has often been tragic.
“I know what my life is. My husband it’s my public. The songs are my children”
MAJOR EXHIBITION at GALLIERA :April 27 to August 13 2017
Galliera Palace devotes amajor exhibition to Dalida to mark the 30th anniversary of her death. Her wardrobe is exposed at the Palais from April 27 to August 13 2017. Dalida loved fashion from Christain Dior, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Lacroix, Azzaro and many more. She was sophisticated, glamourous.
Palais Galliera 10 avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie – Paris 16 – from April to August 13th 2017. For more details about the Palais Galliera, please read my article too : Galliera, fashion and elegance
MY VIDEO OF DALIDA EXHIBITION AT GALLIERA : Please watch this video of the exhibition in Galliera (a video by Ann Jeanne in Paris) :
Dalida has been living for 25 years in Montmartre, 11 bis rue d’Orchampt – from 1962 to 1987.She bought a townhouse in the 1900 style in Montmartre at the beginning of the 80s, nearby the Sacré Coeur. It has always be a quiet refuge for Dalida for the rest of her life.
One of the main squares in Montmartre has been named after her“Place Dalida” with a bronze statue of her bust (sculptor Alain Alsan)
Dalida in Montmartre, nearby her home
Dalida rests near her home in the upper part ofthe cemetery of Montmartre with the trees she loved.
A few WORDS about DALIDA’s STORY
EGYPT
Dalida was born Yolanda Gigliotti on the 17th of January 1933 in Cairo suburbs in a bourgeois emigrant family. Her italian grand- parents had emigrated to Egypt in the beginning of the 20th century.
She had 2 brothers, Orlando (her elder brother) and Bruno and she grew up in a musical environment : her father was first violonist for the Cairo Opera. Dalida’s mother tongue was Italian. But she learned Egyptian Arabic and French in Cairo. She had a happy childhood, though serious eye problems affected her from an early age and had to undergo several operations.
She was destined by her family for a career as a secretary, but Dalida dreamed of becoming and actress. She was fascinated by Hollywood world . In 1951 she secretly entered a local beauty contest. In 1954, Yolanda entered another beauty contest, “Miss Egypt contest” and she was crowned Miss Egypt at the age of 19. Then, she started working as a model, then as an actress in Cairo. Then she began to dream of launching a career in Paris.
PARIS :
With Lucien Morisse, her first husband
In 1954, she started a new life in Paris where she became Dalida. She started taking singing lessons with a music teacher and after a few months her teacher sent her off to audition for a cabaret on the Champs Elysées where she worked during several months.
She then was invited by the owner of Olympia (one of the most famous Parisian music-Hall) onto a show. Her performance impressed two influential men in the French record industry, Lucien Morisse and Eddy Barclay. Lucien Morisse became Dalida ‘s manager, then her husband (A difficult relationship : Lucien Morisse was married but finally divorced . They got married in Paris in 1961).
Dalida and Lucien Morisse, her first husband and her manager
BAMBINO’s YEARS
Her second single, “Bambino” really launched Dalida to fame. Bambino was played practically non-stop on one of the most renown French radio (Europe 1) and reached the top of the French charts. She then performed at the Olympia beside Charles Aznavour. In 1957, she received her first gold disc. Bambino had sold over 300 000 copies
Her second very successful hit was “Gondolier” (in 1957). She then started a great tour. In 1959, she went on another tour in Italy. Her fame soon spread throughout the rest of Europe. In 1961, she performed for an entire month at the prestigious Olympia music-hall attracting over 2000 music fans each night. She then carried out with a tour which took her to Hong Kong and Vietnam (where she was already a huge star)
Her younger brother, Bruno (known as Orlando) became her manager. And her cousin Rosy became her secretary.
Dalida and Luigi Tenco
LUIGI TENCO
In 1966, she was introduced to a young talented songwriter. They fell passionately in love. They soon got married. Dalida decided that Luigi should appear with her on stage in Italy during a song contest and that they would each perform their own version of the song “Ciao Amore Ciao”. Dalida was already a huge star in Italy while Luigi Tenco was not known yet. Neither Dalida nor Luigi were awarded a prize. Luigi Tenco then retired to his hotel room and committed suicide in his room. Dalida was devastated at Luigi’s death and a few months later she attempted to end her life.
Below : Dalida singing with Luigi Tenco in 1967 at San Remo (Italy)
AFTER LUIGI
In the late 60’s, after Luigi Tenco’s death, Dalida reinvented herself : she started to read a lot : philosophy, psychology and started to practice yoga and meditation. She often went to India then went into analysis. But she also carried on singing and went on a serie of concerts in France, in Italy, then all over the world
In 1970, her huge hit was “Darla dirladada”. Then with the song “Avec le temps”, she totally changed her repertoire with very meaningful poetic lyrics. She performed at the Olympia for 3 weeks where she was greeted very successfully
In September 1970, her former husband, Lucien Morisse committed suicide.
Duet with ALAIN DELON
In 1972, she recorded “Paroles Paroles” with her old friend Alain Delon It reached the top of the French charts and was n°1 in Japan.
Alain Delon et Dalida recording the song ‘Paroles, Paroles’ en 1973 . (Photo by Jean-Pierre BONNOTTE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Dalida and Alain Delon, rue d’Orchampt where Dalida used to live
HER LOVE STORY WITH RICHARD CHANFRAY
Dallied and Richard Chanfray
Her encounter with Richard Chanfray in 1972 (who wanted to be known as the Count of Saint Germain) changed her life. And she appeared to be a glamourous star. It has been her longest love story (9 years)
In 1973, she sang “Il venait d’avoir 18 ans”. This song reached immediately the top of the charts in 9 countries. 3.5 million copies sold in Germany.My favorite song of Dalida is definitely, without any doubt : “Il venait d’avoir 18 ans”
In 1974 : “Gigi L’Amoroso” which became among the most famous hit of Dalida, n°1 in 12 countries. Then she went on tours in Japan, Quebec, then Germany . In 1975, she was awarded the prestigious Prix de l’Académie du Disque français”. Then another huge success “J’attendrai”. She was performing very frequently on French TV and she returned several times to Egypt.
She recorded the traditional Egyptian song Salma Ya Salamawhich was released in France and the Middle East. She recorded this song in 7 languages. It was a phenomenal success.
The 80’s
She recorded “Generation 78”, a medley very influenced by the 70’s disco wave. She has been adapting her musical style to the latest trends. In 1979, She recorded “Monday Tuesday”
Dalida performing at the “Palais des Sports” (Paris)
Dalida transformed her appearance. She danced sourrounded by dancers. In 1980, he performed a spectacular Broadway-style show in Paris at the Palais des Sportswith Lester Wilson as her choreographer, (L. Wilson was the choreographer of John Travolta in Saturday night fever)r. She sold out at the Palais des Sports for 18 gigantic shows with 30 musicians and 12 dancers. She was the first woman to perform in front of 5000 people in Paris. She then went on a national tour which lasted 10 months.
Dalida at the Palais des Sports in 1980
In 1981 she split from Richard Chanfray.
On her premiere at the Olympia where she performed in 1981, she received a diamond disc for having sold over 80 million albums over her career.Below : “Monday, tuesday”, a great hit
She then set off on another world tour for 12 months. When back to France, she recorded “Mourir sur scène”. Her popularity was as great as ever. In 1983, two years after they split up, she learnt that the former lover Richard Chanfray had committed suicide. Devastated … In 1984, she set off on tour again, The following years, she was force to interrupt her career to undergo 2 major eye operations. In 1986, She play a leading role in the film “Le Sixième jour”(director : Youssef Chahine)In 1987, she decided to put an end to her life and let a message : “Forgive me life has become unbearable for me…”
Get a real connection with Paris “Ann Jeanne in Paris” tours are different from traditional guided tours. They are private walking tours with you only,or you and the person you choose. No lectures : it’s an encounter, a meeting, a cross-cultural experience. The tours are friendly, welcoming and we walk at your pace. I give you all my attention, I accompany you, I discuss with you and share my Paris with you.
On of the most visited Paris neighborhood – One of the city’s most famous landmarks.
Montmartre is a hill. On its summit : the Sacré Coeur (=Holy Heart). For some Parisians, its nickname is “Paris’ beauty spot“
Sacre Coeur – Édouard Leon Cortès (1882–1969)
A village until 1860 and the feeling still nowadays that you’re not totally in Paris.
Cobblestones narrow and winding streets, quaint houses, vineyards (yes : still nowadays ! A Harvest Festival every 1st weekend of October), 2 windmills, romantic alleyways and long stairways, restaurants and cafés that could be located in Provence, quiet squares. The feeling that you’re far from a big city…
And from the Sacré Coeur terrace : a beautiful view over Paris.
Montmartre : the highlight of artistic life
Matisse
Le Sacré Coeur by Matisse
Camille Pissaro
Le Moulin de la Galette by C. Pissaro
From the end of the 19th century , Montmartre is the center of artistic life in Paris, the model of a free , bohemian existence. Composers, writers, painters, poets are gathering, lived and worked in Montmartre
I’m a bit sad to see visitors going straight up to the top of Montmartre hill, stay for a while near the Sacré Coeur and Place du Tertre, then get back to the Metro stop Abbesses or Anvers. Yes, they’re missing a lot of what makes Montmartre a charming and quiet place, a village with its narrow cobblestone streets, its quaint houses…etc They’re probably missing the most important.
Visit Montmartre in the morning so to avoid too much crowd and if possible, plan to stay at least 3 or 4 hours in the neighborhood, the best would be the day with a break in a nice and quite restaurant or café not too close from the most touristic spots.
Why not start your walk from the Metro Stop Lamarck Caulaincourt (north of the Sacré Coeur) or from the Metro Blanche ? (see the Metro Map – Menu : Useful informations) – Metro Pigalle or Anvers possible too
How to get to Montmartre ?
Lamarck Caulaincourt or Abbesses (line 12)
Blanche, Anvers (line 2)
Buses : 30, 54, 67 or Montmartrobus.
Some addresses :
Le tracteur rouge – 41 rue Caulaincourt – Paris 18 : for a lovely lunch, brunch, or dinner in a charming and very welcoming place. Metro Lamark Caulaincourt (at the bottom of Montmartre hill)
L’Hôtel Particulier – Charming hotel in the middle of Montmartre
L’été en Pente douce – a nice colored tarrace – a quiet village atmosphere – a very pleasant place for a lunch, a drink, a break
Le café des 2 moulins (the café of Amelie (movie)) – 15 rue Lepic – Paris 18 – Rue Lepic : where much of the movie Amelie was shot)
Grenat et Taffetas – Beautiful vintage jewels – 25 rue Houdon – Paris 18 nearby the Place des Abbesses – Metro Stop : Abesses
75018Paris – 0142592249 – Tuesday to Saturday : 11 am to 7 pm, Sunday : 12 am to 6 pm
Bakery Boris Lumé – 48 rue Caulaincourt – Paris 18
Here is a video shot a rainy winter day in Montmartre
Visit Montmartre, with “Ann Jeanne in Paris”, native Parisian :
This weekend, I have attended the opening of a wonderful photography exhibition in Montmartreneighborhood. “PARIS IN DETAIL”
(A SLIDESHOW BELOW)
Joe W. Estes-White
Everything was there, for a perfect evening : wonderful Black and White phototographies of Paris by Joe W. Estes-White, an American artist photographer who lives now in Paris, a warm and friendly welcoming in a Bistrot/bar called “Le Tracteur Rouge” and located in one of the most charming Paris neighborhood. a great atmostphere with guests from United States, Canada, Australia, Finland … and France. With mostly the beautiful music of the English language. (Thank you Gail !)
Below : a slideshowof the Opening of the exhibition – on Saturday 9th of January 2016
Joe W. Estes-White, Artist photographer; southern Californian-born photographer, and now a Paris resident
“PARIS in details” – An intimate vision of the city – 09.01 – 09.03 2016
“I started coming to Paris in 1999. I fell in love with the city, in all its architectural glory, the people, the culture, the way of life and the atmosphere. I love the lifestyle instantly and I’ve been recording my love affaire with the city through my photography ever since ” Joe W. Estes-White
Wonderful photos, wonderful B&W
Le Tracteur Rouge – 41 rue Caulaincourt
Le Tracteur Rouge : a great location A very friendly place at the bottom of Montmartre hill. I had a lovely glass of white wine. I have the feeling that I’ll come soon again, for a brunch, a meal or a drink.
41 rue Caulaincourt – Paris 18 – Metro stop : Lamark Caulaincourt)
Bistrot/wine bar – Tuesday to Sunday – 10am to 10pm
Amelie decide to change the lives or those around her for the better. The movie was filmed mainly in Paris. The Café des 2 Moulins where Amélie works is a real place, as the Greengrocer store, the video store…etc
Stylistic, inventive, humoristic and charming movie :
It’s a romantic comedy which was nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Foreign Film, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Art Direction and Best Original Screenplay. Though the film failed to take home any awards, the film is still very popular in France as much as abroad. It’s stylistic, inventive, charming, humoristic…
Amélie
Amélie in the Café des 2 Moulins
Amélie in the Gare du Nord
Amélie in the Café des 2 Moulins
Nino
Amélie in the street
Amélie writing the Menu
Amelie
Nino
Amélie
Photomatons
A great love story : Amélie and Nino
Amélie falls in love with Nino Quincampoix, a dreamy young man who works in a sex shop and in his spare time collects pictures from railway stations’ photo booths. Since Amélie is so introverted, a great part of the movie’s fun lies in watching the imaginative strategies she invents to seduce Nino.
The café and the Greengrocer :
Amélie isa waitress at the café des 2 Moulins in Montmartre, which is staffed and frequented by a collection of eccentrics.
“Amelie” : some of the movie’s locations :
rue Saint Vincent – Paris 18 (Montmartre)
rue des Saules – ” “
Sacré Coeur Church
Amelie’s appartment : 56, rue des Trois frères – Montmartre
The greengrocer store (“Au marché de la butte”) : at the corner of Rue des Trois Frères and rue Androuet (map below)
Café des 2 Moulins : (the art deco café where Amelie works) 15 rue Lepic (map above)
Metro Lamark-Caulaincourt with the double staircase
When you visit Montmartre, take a break at the cafe of Amélie; It’s really like in the movie. It’s a nice and quaint cafe…. but often crowded (everybody wants to visit the Amelie’s cafe…). So maybe choose a weekday and avoid the rush hours (midday and teatime…)
The nearest metro stop to the cafe is “Blanche”.
To feel the atmosphere of the movie, walk the little streets between Lamark Caulaincourt (the metro stop) and the Sacré Coeur.
Amelie (In French : “Le fabuleux destin d’Amelie Poulain“) – 2001 – Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet with Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz – Soundtrack by Yann Tiersen
Le Printemps : not only a shopping area but an historic monument and a panoramic view over Paris
“Le Printemps” : one of the 4 largest department stores in Paris (Le Printemps, Les Galeries Lafayette, Le BHV Marais and Le Bon Marché).
The department store “le Printemps” by itself is worth a visit. Its stained glass art deco dome is beautiful. You can see it from the restaurant at the 8th floor of “le Printemps”.
On the top floor, another restaurant and a panoramic terrace from which you have a stunning view all over Paris. You’ll see the Eiffel Tower, the Sacre Coeur basilica which is also called “Paris beauty spot”, and others buildings (Opera, la gare Saint Lazare, Saint Augustin church…)
Some History and more information :
Created in 1865 and listed as a historical monument. 3 buildings, 44 000 m2 with luxury goods, fashion, beauty, homeware, a food hall…etc. 7 eating areas with a wide choice of cuisine.
Practical details :
Le Printemps – 64 boulevard Haussmann – 75009 Paris – Metro stop : Havre Caumartin (nearby) or Opéra (10 minutes walk) – RER : Auber
Monday-Saturday – 9.35am to 8pm. Late-night opening on Thursday until 8.45pm
The terrace is a must-go for its stunning view all over Paris and a pleasant (though very simple) place to have a break and maybe a snack or a drink.
And after your visit to La Printemps, why not going to the Jacquemart André Museum and have a meal in their café, an really exquisite place (and the museum Jacquemart André is wonderful too).
DALIDA , A DIVA and A FASHION ICON (1933 – 1987)
Below : “Monday, tuesday”, a great hit
r a perfect evening : wonderful Black and White phototographies of Paris by Joe W. Estes-White, an American artist photographer who lives now in Paris, a warm and friendly welcoming in a Bistrot/bar called 
