Montmartre, Paris

As I headed for the northeast arrondissements, I found the most delightful green corridor called Coulée Verte René-Dumont. This 2.8mi (4.5km) long park was created on a former railway viaduct that was used by freight trains. It is the longest and only elevated park in Europe. It is a wonderful pathway dotted with benches bordered by small trees, shrubs, and plants, including roses, lavender, and wisteria.

Descending from the pathway into a large public park, I continued to Place de la Nation. This small park was infamous for the most active guillotines during the French Revolution. Today, it is often used as a starting point for demonstrations. The centre of it is dominated by a large bronze sculpture called 'Triomphe de la République' and is surrounded by flower beds.

I had a lovely stroll through La Campagne à Paris, a housing development founded in 1907 for working-class families. Built on a quarry site, it consists of 92 townhouses with front and rear gardens, a luxury back in those days. It is a pretty location that feels like the countryside, peaceful and serene.

The highlight of this walk is Montmartre, a large hill in the 18th arrondissement. The landmark Sacré-Cœur Basilica sits proudly atop Butte Hill. Accessible via a funicular or on foot, it is visible from many parts of the city. It is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and is an important place of worship.

Prominent landmarks are magnificent and full of history, but it's the small places that intrigue me, such as the Clos Montmartre, the last extant vineyard in Paris. Founded in the 12th century, it is owned by the city and today has 30 different types of vines. The annual harvest is celebrated each October with a festival. The wine is then auctioned off, and the proceeds are donated to Montmartre Association.

Winding through the narrow streets, I came across Le Passe, a sculpture of a man stuck in a wall. It is apparently based on a French novel where the character with 'walking through walls' abilities loses his power mid-pass and is eternally frozen in the wall.

Inside a nearby garden square is Les Mus de Je T'aime (the Wall of Love). It comprises 612 tiles with the phrase I Love You written in 250 languages.

Enjoying my strolls through residential streets, I sought out another gorgeous place, Vla Leandre. Inspired by English art-deco architecture, the leafy cobblestone street is lined with townhouses. Before its development, the area was filled with vineyards, rolling hills, and windmills.

Talking about windmills, of the dozen or so that dotted the hill, two survive today, with Moulin de la Galette operating as a restaurant. Of course, many would be familiar with the artificial windmill atop the legendary Moulin Rouge cabaret theatre that is described as "the temple of the French cancan". A not to be missed show, this looks like a fun place to stop and take in the entertainment.