“Climb if you dare.” Rue Foyatier, or the Escalier de la butte Montmartre, isn’t just a street. It’s a challenge. Have you got what it takes to conquer it?
Welcome to Rue Foyatier. It is one of the most visited spots in Paris. It’s not your typical street. It’s a giant staircase. It leads up Montmartre. Montmartre is the big hill in the 18th arrondissement.
Opened in 1867, Rue Foyatier got its name from sculptor Denis Foyatier. He lived from 1793 to 1863. Images of this staircase are iconic. Famous photographers like Brassaï captured its essence.
Rue Foyatier stretches 100 meters long and 12 meters wide. It begins at Rue André Barsacq. It ends near the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur at Rue Saint-Éluthère.
Looking up Rue Foyatier from the bottom can feel daunting. Brave souls face 222 stone steps. They climb 36 meters to the top.
But there is an easier way. A funicular railway offers an alternative route. The funicular opened in 1900. It was rebuilt in 1935 and again in 1991. Around two million people use it yearly. A ride takes under two minutes. It costs the same as a Métro ticket.
Imagine the sounds here. People struggle up the steps. Others stroll down relaxed. Funicular cars rise and fall. Crowds murmur from the terraced garden. These sounds create a unique tapestry.
Listen closely. You might hear snippets of life unfolding. A woman announces her sock fell down. A young man wants to race up the steps. An American lady asks if her friends are winded. Each step has a story.
Photographer Brassaï captured the atmosphere. Sound recordists let the sounds tell the story. Close your eyes. Let your imagination create the scene.
Those who conquer Rue Foyatier find their reward at the top. A magnificent view of the Paris skyline awaits. Each step is worth it.
So next time you are in Paris make sure to visit Rue Foyatier. Experience the climb and the reward. It is a memorable part of Montmartre’s charm.