Why did this small hill on the edge of Paris become home to artists, poets, performers, musicians, revolutionaries, and dreamers? Why here—and why at this particular moment in history?
During this 2.5-hour creative walking atelier, we'll uncover how geography, history, affordable living, community, and a fierce spirit of creative freedom transformed an ordinary village into one of the world's most influential artistic neighborhoods. But we won't simply hear the story.
We'll creatively experience it.
As we wander from Place Blanche through the winding streets of Montmartre, you'll work in a custom-designed Montmartre pocket creative journal, sketching, observing, collecting colors and words, and responding to creative prompts inspired by the places we encounter.
We'll discover traces of the old village, follow the arrival of artists such as Van Gogh and Picasso, explore the world of cabarets and bohemian life, and uncover how this hill became a laboratory for new ideas about art—and life itself.
At the end, we'll bring our discoveries together in a Sense of Place Story Collage, transforming your sketches, observations, colors, words, and inspiration into your own visual interpretation of Montmartre.
By the time we finish, Montmartre won't simply be somewhere you've visited.
It will be a story you've experienced.
Find traces of the rural village that existed before the artists arrived.
Discover why artists, poets, performers, and unconventional thinkers were drawn to the hill.
Explore the stories surrounding the Bateau-Lavoir, Lapin Agile, cabarets, dance halls, and creative community.
Capture windmills, streets, colors, words, signs, architecture, and details inside your pocket journal.
Look for the authentic neighborhood still hiding among one of Paris's most visited destinations.
Transform what you've discovered into your own Sense of Place Story Collage.
You'll leave with:
Your custom Montmartre creative journal
Sketches, observations, words, colors, and collected inspiration
Your Sense of Place Story Collage
A deeper understanding of why Montmartre became Montmartre
A new appreciation for the relationship between place and creativity
And a personal creative souvenir of Paris that no gift shop could sell you
Date/Time: September 18 • 10h-12h30 (Paris Time Zone)
Duration: 2.5 hours
Meeting Point: Place Blanche
Nearest Métro: Blanche · Line 2
Ends: Place d'Anvers
Nearest Métro: Anvers · Line 2
Walking Distance: Approximately 1.6 miles / 2.5 km
Creative Level: All levels welcome
Materials: Included
Places are limited to keep the experience personal and interactive.
Bonjour, I'm Betsy.
I'm an artist, author, educator, and creative guide living between Paris and San Francisco.
For more than 35 years, creativity has shaped the way I work—and the way I experience the world. My Wanderlust Designer ateliers combine art, storytelling, history, culture, and exploration to help you notice the places you visit in an entirely different way.
You don't have to be an artist to explore creatively.
You simply need curiosity, a willingness to slow down, and permission to notice.
I'll bring the stories, prompts, journal, materials, and encouragement.
Montmartre will provide the inspiration.
Come wander the streets where creative outsiders gathered, ideas collided, conventions were challenged, and modern art was transformed. We'll explore, notice and create... and you'll leave with your own story of Montmartre.
September 18 • 10h-12h30 (Paris Time Zone) • 2.5 Hours
Small group · All creative levels welcome · Materials included • Explore Your World with Creativity™