Another day and another arrondissement wander, this time around arrondissement 18, or Montmartre.

Traditionally this is an area full of struggling artists, although not too many of them can afford Montmartre prices these days.

The area has now been taken over by what the media term ‘BoBos’, meaning Bohemian Bourgeois.  Google define a BoBo as “ a person having both the values of the counterculture of the 1960s and the materialism of the 1980s”  

Jenifer Saunders as Edina Monsoon. Pic: Wikipedia

BoBos, apparently are identified by their colourful ‘hippie’ clothes.  Often born in the 60s or 70s, they display the values of the bohemian/hippie culture, such as anti-consumerism, whilst simultaneously earning (or having earned) a high income.

Think Edina Monsoon in AbFab, for example. (I say this with a bit of concern that I may actually be a bit of a BoBo myself, although I do seem to have forgotten to do the high-earning bit).

Anyway, it can be an entertaining game to sit in one of the many cafes and see how many BoBos you can count going past (I counted 18 in 40 minutes).

Apart from BoBos, the obvious thing to see in Montmartre is the Sacre Coeur.  It sits on top of a hill and towers above the city, offering some breathtaking views and photo opportunities.  Be prepared to fight for a space though, as the area is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris now.

Sacre Coeur

From the Sacre Coeur you can wander along the narrow streets of Montmartre, although many are lined with tourist shops.

More touristy side of Montmartre

Montmartre is also home to The Moulin Rouge, known for the can-can dance.  The one time infamous bordello has effectively become a tourist trap now; the story has been ‘Americanized’ in order to appeal to tourists more and most of the dancers are not French (for some bizarre reason, a high number of the dancers are Australian).

Moulin Rouge

Prices are high too.

I’m told a more authentic show is offered at the nearby Lapin Agile, but I don’t know because I didn’t go.   Lapin Agile once famously turned down Picasso’s offer to paint in return for free drinks, because they hadn’t heard of him.  After he became well-known he returned and was welcomed into the bar, where he did a  painting but refused to sign it, effectively making it worthless.

I love that story.

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If you think you, or someone you know, may be a Bobo, the Guardian offer these guidelines