Imagine strolling down Voie des Saules a charming street in Montmartre. This isn’t just any Parisian lane. It’s steeped in history. Voie des Saules once bordered with willows its name a testament to a now-vanished landscape. Picture this: The 16th century. The entire hill of Montmartre was covered in vineyards. The wine they produced was a light and slightly sour beverage called piquette. Even King Henry IV enjoyed it.
Fast forward to the 18th century. Montmartre flowed with piquette. This simple wine was a staple in the local taverns. It quenched the thirst of Montmartre’s hardworking people. In 1929 however plans for modern housing threatened the area. Local residents led by the painter Poulbot rallied. They fought to preserve a piece of their heritage. Their efforts succeeded. A small vineyard a Clos de Montmartre was established. It stands as a living reminder of Montmartre’s winemaking tradition.
Every year on the first Saturday of October the Montmartrois celebrate the harvest festival. The grapes are crushed. The juice is transformed into wine in the basement of the 18th arrondissement’s town hall. Nearly 700 bottles of this unique wine are sold annually. Proceeds fund the district’s celebrations. Voie des Saules a quiet street winds its way past this tiny vineyard. It leads you down the hill alongside the Saint-Vincent Cemetery.
Voie des Saules is more than just a street. It’s an artistic artery. Famous painters frequented it in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their paintings capture the essence of the time: a blend of bohemian life and everyday Parisian scenes. You can almost see the water carriers balancing their heavy burdens on their shoulders.
The street has witnessed darker times. During World War II Allied bombers targeted the nearby La Chapelle rail depot. The area was hit hard. A witness described flames lighting up the sky. The area around Voie des Saules was not spared. In 1910 an asylum opened on Voie des Saules providing shelter for Jewish immigrants. A plaque commemorates the tragic roundup of Jewish children during the war a sobering reminder of the street’s complex past. Voie des Saules isn’t just a street. It’s a living tapestry of Montmartre’s history. It whispers tales of wine artists and war. It is a journey worth taking.