Château des Brouillards Montmartre and Birthplace of Jean Renoir

Renoir’s house opposite the Château des Brouillards (Misty Castle)

An OpenStreetMap detail of the signed route map from point 4 moulin de la galette rue Lepic Paris 75018 to point 5 chateau des brouillards Alee des brouillards Paris 75018 by Rue Girardon.
The route leading from point 4 Moulin de la Galette to point 5 the Chateau des Brouillards.  The Pink House is also seen at point 6. © OpenStreetMap contributors, the Open Database Licence (ODbL).

Cross over Rue Lepic to the Moulin de la Galette side and now take the rising Rue Girardon. Continue straight on past a small park to your left. The route begins to gently descend. On a sweeping right hand bend you will see a small bronze statue of Dalida, behind it is the Château des Brouillards.

The Chateau des Brouillards Montmartre Allée des Bouillards Paris 75018. A large 18th century classical town house set in a small garden with trees. The scene is in winter with some snow.
Point 5 the Chateau des Brouillards (Misty Castle)

 

The metalic information panel put up by the Mayor of Paris outside the Chateau des Brouillards in Montmartre. The text is in French and is translated in the body of the page text.
The Mayor of Paris’ information panel (in French) about the Chateau bes Brouillards.

The information panel put up by the Mayor of Paris reads:

Misty castle

‘In spite of the legend, the country house built here in 1772 was not for the writer Lefrane de Pompignan, but for a lawyer from the Paris Parliament. The source of the poetically inspired mists has its origin, no doubt, in the water vapour from the nearby springs which, when it came into contact with the cool air of Montmartre, became mist.

In 1854 Gerard de Nerval, writing in his work “Illustration”, dreamt of a perfect oasis of peace: “What captivated me in this little space shaded by tall trees, was, first of all, what remained of the vineyard. The vineyard reminded me of St Denis…Then there was the proximity of the drinking pool, which, in the evening, came to life with the sight of horses and dogs being washed in it…wonderful place of retreat, perfectly quiet when the mood took it…”

Dilapidated and under the threat of demolition the Château des Brouillards was restored from 1922 to 1926.’

Jean Renoir’s birthplace

To the right of the footpath, directly opposite the garden of Misty Castle, at number 6, was Renoir’s residence from 1890-97.  It was here in 1894 that the future film director Jean, his son, was born. The painting Gabrielle Renard and Infant Son Jean (1895-96) was probably painted here and can be seen in the Orangerie Museum near Place Concorde in Paris.

Dalida shows us the way

Dalida’s gaze towards the dome of the Sacré Coeur indicates the next stage of the walk up Rue de l’Abreuvoir. Follow the bend of Rue Girardon which now becomes Rue de l’Abreuvoir and starts to rise gently.

The bronze bust of French singer Dalida looks towards the Sacre Coeur Montmartre. The view is from behind her head. In the distance we see the dome of the Sacré Coeur Paris.
The bust of Dalida indicates the next stage of the walk up Rue de l’ Abreuvoir

Rue de l’Abrevoir, which means the street of the drinking trough or pool, is so named because the farmers would drive livestock down it in order get to the spring which used to rise on the western side of the Château des Brouillards.

Number 12 Rue de l’Abreuvoir was one of Camille Pissarro’s residences. This central figure of the Impressionist movement is more associated with his main home in Pontoise a little to the north-west of Paris. Pissarro was an important influence on Cezanne encouraging him personally and helping him develop his colour range.

For wheelchair users, please return to wheelchair route Place Dalida and point 7.

Following the artists footsteps we now head for the area around Montmartre’s last vineyard.

Map of Montmartre for the self-guided walk which guides you to artists’ studios, paintings and canteens. The walk is around the upper Montmartre area including the hill of Montmartre.
Walk 1, map of upper Montmartre; route and points of interest of the Montmartre walking tour Montmartre Artists’ Studios © OpenStreetMap contributors, the Open Database Licence (ODbL).