The square is the heart of the former 'Commune libre de Montmartre', which functioned as an independent artistic enclave.
Artists working in the square must be licensed by the Mairie de Paris and rotate their designated working spots every few years.
The famous La Mère Catherine restaurant located on the square claims to have originated the word 'bistro' during the Russian occupation of Paris in 1814.
The square serves as a focal point for the annual Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre, celebrating the district's surviving vineyard.
It remains one of the few places in Paris where professional portraiture is performed in a public space as a legacy of 19th-century bohemian life.
Place du Tertre is a historic square in the Montmartre district of Paris, serving as a hub for open-air portraitists and silhouette artists. It occupies the site of the former village square of Montmartre, maintaining the original layout of the hilltop commune before its annexation by Paris in 1860. The square is densely packed with outdoor seating for numerous surrounding cafes and restaurants. Designated artists hold official permits to work from assigned 1-square-meter spaces on the plaza. The site historically served as a meeting point for prominent artists including Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani, and Maurice Utrillo during the early 20th century. It sits at an elevation of approximately 130 meters, overlooking the city of Paris from the slopes of the Butte Montmartre.
From the corner near the entrance of the Saint-Pierre de Montmartre church, looking back toward the center of the square.
Walk through the quieter side streets directly behind the square to find less crowded views of the hilltop architecture.
Confirm if an artist is a member of the official 'Association des Peintres et Sculpteurs de la Place du Tertre' before commissioning work.
Avoid dining at the cafes directly on the square, as they are widely considered high-priced tourist traps with low-quality food.
Purchasing pre-made paintings from souvenir stalls, as these are mass-produced rather than original works by the resident artists.
The square is public and accessible at all times, though artist activity significantly decreases during heavy rainfall or winter months.
Respect the artists' personal space while observing them work; do not photograph them or their portfolios without asking for permission.
