Paris by Plaque - Montmartre Vol 1 (The Complete Guide to the Historic Plaques of Paris)
What a great idea, I can't believe no-one's done this before. There's enough background info to put each area in context and give you a feel for what was happening there at the time. I have a Maurice Utrillo print at home and reading about his life and his pink house (Plaque 12) made me look at it again with slightly different eyes. The more you read, the more you realise just how colourful Montmartre's history has been. The walking maps are well designed and a quick and easy way of planning a route that you know your legs will be able to manage. As my command of the French language only extends to ordering coffee and croissants, having the translations at hand is fantastic and saves a lot of time and misunderstanding! I love the vintage photographs too. --Hythloday, UK Amazon ReviewerThis really is a super book on Montmartre. Part guide book, part history it brings the area of Montmartre completely to life through the talented translations and prose. If you're planning a trip to Paris, then don't leave home without it, the proposed walks will show you a part of Paris you may not have been aware of. --Jo, UK Amazon ReviewerThis delightful book made me itch to get on Eurostar and head back to Paris. It's full of intriguing photos of Montmartre in times gone by, such as the host of the famous cabaret Le Lapin Agile (still running), with his donkey that created works of art with a brush attached to his tail! Flicking through, you get drawn into all sorts of stories, political, artistic and romantic - Anna Meakin brings the history behind the translated blue plaques to life with her beautifully crafted, engaging prose. It's practical too, with useful maps for the suggested walks. Even the seasoned traveller will find something new to discover about this fascinating area of Paris. --Rebecca, UK Amazon Reviewer