Place des Abbesses Square in Paris
The Place des Abbesses is located within the Montmartre area of Paris where it is home to an original art nouveau metro entrance, plus the Square Jehan-Rictus with the I Love You wall and the Paroisse Saint Jean church that was constructed in a revolutionary style at the time.
About the Place des Abbesses
There was once a Benedictine convent in this area of Paris that was built on the site of the martyrdom of Saint Denis, which was a popular place for pilgrimages until it was destroyed during the French Revolution, and this is where the Place des Abbesses gets in name from.
The Place des Abbesses is a typical square that has a traditional feel, yet is now a popular place for shopping with some old shops and chic boutiques close by, along with numerous restaurants for that all important experience of eating out in Paris. Alternatively, you could just enjoy a coffee at one of the many cafes in Paris that are also situated around this square.
Yet if you happen to be on holiday in Paris at the right time of year, you could even discover the Christmas market rich with the tempting smells of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine, or one of the many festivals and fairs that are held in the square throughout the year.
And even though Montmartre is a popular area for tourists, this square in Paris is far less busy than the Place du Tertre that is located nearby, but there is still more to discover at the Place des Abbesses.
The Metro Station entrance
To start with, you have the Metro station, which is aptly named the Abbesses stop due to its location, and this is one of the only two remaining Art Nouveau entrances still in existence in Paris.
The station originally opened back in 1912 and then became a Metro station in the 1930s, but it is the actual station entrance, which was designed by Hector Guimard, that is the main attraction with its wrought iron work and glass canopy. And in fact, as mentioned earlier, it is one of only two original Art Nouveau Guimard entrances called Edicules, that are still in existence in Paris, and the other is located at the Port Dauphine, however, there is a copy one at the Place Sainte-Opportune.
Square Jehan-Rictus and the Mur des Je t’Aime
At the Place des Abbesses you can also discover the small romantic garden of the Square Jehan-Rictus with its lovely plants and trees, which is ideal for a stroll or to sit and relax on one of the benches.
But since the year 2000, this square in Paris has become a rendezvous for lovers and people on honeymoon that want to declare their love to each other, due to the Mur des Je t’Aime or I Love You Wall. This is where you can discover over 300 different languages and dialects on this large 40 metre squared monument in Paris stating those all important and romantic words of I Love You.
The Eglise Saint-Jean de Montmartre Church
Also located right by the Place des Abbesses you have the Catholic church called the Eglise Saint-Jean de Montmartre that was also constructed in an Art Nouveau style. But when finished in 1904, it was one of the first churches in Paris to have ever been constructed using concrete faced with red brick on the outside, and is an unusual monument in Paris that also has an unusual history to be discovered.
Access to the Place des Abbesses
As we have mentioned before, the Place des Abbesses is located in the Montmartre area of Paris, which is the 18th Arrondissement, and of course, the nearest Metro station is the Abbesses stop serving line 12.
Yet this square can also be reached via the Montmartrobus, which are the smaller public transport buses that run in this area due to the steep and often winding narrow streets. However, for those of you that are fit enough, you can climb the numerous stepped streets and hills to get here as well.
And do not forget that it is also situated close to the impressive Sacre Coeur Basilica and the famous Place du Tertre where you can discover artists selling their works of art or those that will do your portrait for you.
