As you know, Paris has always inspired artists: writers, painters, poets, singers… they’ve all found inspiration here, turning our capital into a muse. One of the city’s artistic hotspots is Montmartre, which has always been a haven for many talents. Tucked away in the heart of the hilltop, a city of artists has secretly contributed to the influence of Montmartre, but also of the capital. This is the Cité des Fusains. A place that may not mean much to you, but was nonetheless the HQ of Renoir, Dalí and Magritte…
A little-known artists’ quarter in the heart of Montmartre
Tucked away at the end of a winding alley lined with vegetation, the Cité des Fusains is a magical place. Built between 1900 and 1920, it begins on rue Steinlen and extends to 22-rue Tourlaque. Built in part from materials salvaged from the 1889 Universal Exhibition, the Cité soon became a favorite haunt of avant-gardists and leading surrealist artists. From the beginning of the XXᵉ century, some of them even began to settle here to create all kinds of works.
This was the case for Pierre Bonnard, who kept his studio until his death, and Renoir, who stayed for several years. In the 1920s, when the estate began to expand, ending up on rue Tourlaque, other great artists moved in, including Joan Miró, Magritte, Paul Eluard and Dalí . It was also at this time that artistic exchanges between Bateau Lavoir and the cité became very frequent.
After falling into disrepair in the 1950s, the building was restored and classified as a historic monument in 1966.
Although artists still occupy the premises today, most of the studios have become private residences, and access to them is largely restricted. With its own history and cachet, each apartment is rented or sold at insane prices: the average price per square meter is 14,239 euros… A far cry from the original bohemian, low-cost spirit of the area…
La Cité des Fusains is an absolutely magnificent historic district of Paris, where a wonderful bucolic atmosphere still reigns.