Paris - Montmartre

There are two common explanations for the name Montmartre. One is that is comes from Mons Mercurii (Mercury's Mount), after a temple of Mercury which is said to have stood here. The other is that the name is a corruption of Mont des Martyrs, since legend has it that St Dionysius (Denis), first bishop of Paris, was executed here along with his companions Rusticus and Eleutherius.

Nowadays there are three Montmartres: the Butte Montmartre, the hill (129m/423ft) on which are the Sacré-Coeur, the Place du Tertre and various little theaters and revues like Michou's crazy drag show in Rue des Martyrs; the residential quarter of Montmartre; and the entertainment quarter on the Boulevard de Clichy with its numerous erotic establishments,