To retain the Artists on the Butte The transformations of the Butte Montmartre have gradually driven out the artists who once inhabited this delicious corner of Paris in large numbers. To stop this exodus, the City of Paris, at the request of MM. Pierre Godin and Jean Varenne, have just sold a large plot of land on which they intend to build pavilions with artists' studios.

Or, said Mr. Pierre Godin, should prevent artists from deserting Montmartre. But this danger is threatening. It certainly does not call into question the security of the country and will not disturb the nights of our statesmen. But it will have its little drawback, nagging for many fine natures: it will deprive Paris of one of its oldest and prettiest glories. For a long time, the Butte has belonged to artists like Paris to France. It is there, in free, laborious, effervescent groups, that talents are affirmed, personalities are brought to life, theories or principles are developed even better than the disinterested, passionate convictions, from which strong temperaments emerge. La Butte appears from afar, to those seeking vocations, like the avenue des Champs-Élysées of art. Artists need discreet shelters. The housing crisis is gradually driving them out of this Montmartre region that the memory of their passage and the abundance of legends, daughters of fame, have made famous in both worlds. This is why we wanted to ensure that a tradition from which the City of Paris draws so much glory would not disappear. The artists of Montmartre are, in their way, wards that France has entrusted to its capital. It would betray itself and the Nation if it abandoned them.