Montparnasse - a district in the south of Paris, a former city outskirts. Glory brought him writers, painters, sculptors, 20-ies.

Actually Boulevard Montparnasse was built in the XVIII century. During the French Revolution, the quarter did not differ politicized - here there was a lot of cabaret and dance halls. Montparnasse believe that the cancan and polka were born here.

By the end of the XIX century in the quarter reached intellectuals of the Old and New World, attracted by the cheapness of life here. Artists were so many that one of their most well-known sanctuaries became known as the Beehive (la Ruche). Over the decades, in Montparnasse we lived and created by Picasso, Matisse, Modigliani, Chagall, Apollinaire, Hemingway, Faulkner, Fitzgerald Scott. Hospitality quarter enjoyed not only the creators - he went to bridge immigrants Lenin, Trotsky, Petlura. Twice people came here Mayakovsky.

Artists hosts local cafes allowed to sit at the tables as much as necessary. If there was no money to pay, in return for taking pictures. So there are very good collection.

A heavy blow to the area caused the Second World - artists and writers partly fled from the occupation, were partially destroyed by the Nazis. After the war, Montparnasse has failed to restore its former glory.

Now, here - the business quarter. The most famous building is without a doubt the Montparnasse office center height of 210 meters - the tallest building in Paris. Until the middle of the XX century there was a small station, in 1972 it was demolished. Instead, they built a building that Parisians immediately dubbed the ugliest. It was recognized urban planning mistake, the municipality banned the skyscrapers in the heart of Paris. Until now held demonstrations demanding the demolition of the building. Nevertheless, an observation deck at the top of the tower is considered one of the best.

Montparnasse cemetery - one of the most famous in Paris. Here lie the Baudelaire, Sartre, Ionesco, mathematician Poincare lexicographer Larousse, populist Lavrov. Nearby a large area occupied by the famous Catholic College Stanislas.