On the gypsum hill which stands up to the north of Paris were temples consecrated to the gods of Mars and Mercury. From these few capitals ont été preserved. Etymologically "Montmartre" pourrait être dérivé de leurs deux noms.. The other explanation "Mont des martyrs" might stem from St Denis, the first christian apostle of the future capital city of France, who is supposed avoir vécu dans des carrières de plâtre with his disciples. It has always been believed that he was beheaded. The Abbey maintained his cult, particularily after the discovery in the XVII century of une grotte marked with his name.The last abbess was guillotined during the French Revolution.
    The most famous figures of the religious history of France passed through Montmartre: St Germain , St Clotilde, St Cloud , St Germain from Auxerre, St Hughes, St Bernard and St Peter the Venerable,assistants of the Pope Eugene III who consecrated the church and the altar of the Abbey, St Thomas Aquinas while professor at the Sorbonne, St Joan of Arch, during the siege of Paris, St Ignatius of Loyola who founded the Jesuits there with St Franciscus Xavier, St Franciscus of Sales, Berulle, Olier, the blessed Mary of the Incarnation, St Vincent de Paul, St Louise of Marillac, St John Eudes who arranged for the first service in honour of the Sacred Heart to be celebrated there.