Definition of montmartre Montmartre

/mɑˌnmæˈɹtɹʌ/ - [manmatrtru] - Mont•mar•tre

We found 3 definitions of montmartre from 3 different sources.

What does montmartre mean?

Noun
montmartre - the highest point in Paris; famous for its associations with many artists

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montmartre
A village of France immediately to the north of Paris, and standing within the new line of fortifications; it was the scene of some sharp fighting in March, 1814.

Montmartre is a hill 130 metres high and is also the name of the district which surrounds the hill. It is situated in the north of Paris and primarily known as a nightclub and Red-light district.

Many artists had studios or worked around the community of Montmartre such as Salvador Dalí, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh.

Name origin.

Montmartre means 'mountain of the martyr'; it owes its name to the martyrdom of Saint Denis, who was decapitated on the hill around 250 AD. Saint Denis was the Bishop of Paris and is the patron saint of France.

The hill's religious symbolism is thought to be even older, as it has been suggested as a likely druidic holy place because it is the highest point in the area.