Montmartre is one of the most historical and characteristic neighbourhoods in Paris. Nestled on the right bank of the Seine, Montmartre awaits you with its charm-packed nooks, stunning monuments such as the Sacré Coeur Basilica, the best cabarets in town and an artsy, bohemian, and colourful flair that will fascinate you.
Montmartre can be reached either from downtown Paris or also from other areas in town by means of metro lines 2, 4, and 12. You just need to hop off at the Abbesses, Anvers, or Château Rouge stations and kick your adventure off!
What to see and do in Montmartre:
Iconic landmarks:
Montmartre features emblematic monuments and landmarks you cannot miss out on under any circumstances. Here are the best spots in this quarter!
Sacré-Coeur Basilica
The Sacré-Coeur Basilica, of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre, or of the National Vow, rises upon ancient temples erected by druids, Romans, and Early Christians. It was there, during the 600s, above the crypt of martyr Saint Denis, that the church of Saint Pierre of Montmartre was built, which would bear witness to the birth of the Jesuit Order in the 1500s.
The construction of the modern basilica got under way in 1875 as proposed by the bishop of Nantes, who thought that the French defeat in the war against Prussia was owed to the faithlessness of French people. The temple was devised by architect Paul Abadie in an elegant Neo-Romanesque and Neo-Byzantine style. Even though it was finished in 1914, it could not be consecrated until the end of World War I.
Whether you climb up by foot or by means of its cable car, the views of Paris from the basilica are spellbinding, so you cannot miss out on a visit if you go to Montmartre!
Place du Tertre
The Place du Tertre can be found in the core of what once was Montmartre’s grand Medieval abbey, very close to the Sacré-Coeur basilica. It was a veritable hub for Paris’ bohemian scene. It was here that Belle Époque painters, poets, and authors met everyday, and some artists, such as Modigliani or Picasso, even lived there.
Nowadays, this artistic atmosphere can still be felt, since a great number of painters still set up their easels there for the travellers visiting Paris. Do not miss out on its colourful cafés, either!
Moulin de la Galette
The Moulin de la Galette was one more of the many mills that there used to be in Montmartre. However, it became hugely popular during the 1800s for crafting galettes, a crepe of sorts which is made with buckwheat and can be filled with both savoury or sweet ingredients. Besides this, the mill was renowned for featuring a most remarkable guinguette or tavern which was frequented by all of Paris’ bohemian scene in order to dance and taste its wine and galettes.
If you want to feel like you are Renoir or Pissarro, you can drop by the Moulin de la Galette and sample some delicious French cuisine in its restaurant!
Mur de Je t’aime
Another spot you cannot miss out on in the Montmartre quarter is the Mur de Je t’aime, or Wall of Love, in the Jehan Rictus square. It was created in 2000 by artists Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito, containing the sentence “je t’aime” (I love you) in two hundred and fifty languages on enamelled lava tiles. It is free to visit!
Montmartre Cemetery
The Montmartre cemetery, or Northern cemetery, is part of an ensemble of graveyards built in Paris during the early 1800s in order to clean up its downtown area. It was erected upon an old quarry which served as a mass grave during the French Revolution, and it opened its gates in 1825.
The Montmartre cemetery is the place of wakeless rest of personalities such as Pierre Cardin, Edgar Degas, Léon Foucault, Stendhal, Émile Zola, Madame Récamier, Hector Berlioz, Alexandre Dumas (junior), France Gall and Vaslav Nijinsky, among many others.
Museums and galleries:
Musée de Montmartre
Should you feel up to discovering the history of the Montmartre neighbourhood through its objects and art pieces, this museum is a must-visit. It is nestled in an ensemble of buildings which once lodged artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Suzanne Valadon. Its collection features paintings, photographs, posters, and historical manuscripts. Do not miss out on its grounds!
Musée de la Vie Romantique
This literary museum in Montmartre showcases what everyday life was like during Romanticism in the 1800s, when artists and authors such as George Sand and his partner, Chopin, or Eugène Delacroix, Ingres, or Franz Liszt visited this location. The collection includes plenty of pieces linked with George Sand, as well as paintings and sculptures from that time.
Activities:
- Visit the ateliers of the artists– Montmartre has not ceased to inspire artists from all over the world, just as it did during the Belle Époque. Do not miss out on a visit to the ateliers and exhibitions scattered across the Place du Tertre and its surroundings!
- Join a free tour – Join our free tour in English across Montmartre and discover all of its secrets, its best stories and the most beautiful corners in the quarter at first hand!
- Enjoy a cabaret show– You are in the epicenter of what used to be the old Belle Époque cabarets where artists from all over Europe met every night. You cannot leave without enjoying a show at Le Moulin Rouge, it is an unforgettable experience!
- Walk across the Montmartre vineyards – Back in the day, Montmartre was a rural milieu dotted with vineyards, mills, and natural beauty. You can still revive that spirit nowadays by taking a walk across its gardens and vineyards, such as those in Clos Montmartre!
- Sample local cuisine– In Montmartre, you will find dozens of restaurants, cafés, and bistros in which you will be able to taste the best French cuisine. Find where to eat in the neighbourhood below!
Useful tips:
When to visit:
The best time to enjoy Montmartre is possibly during spring, when it is not yet overrun with tourists and the quarter starts to blossom across all of its natural nooks. It is also bustling and lovely during summertime!
Where to stay:
Should you be on the lookout for affordable and romantic accommodation in Montmartre, take a look at Mom’Art Hotel beside the Sacré Coeur cable car, and also Yuna Montmartre Aparthotel, as well as the Hotel Le Montmartre Saint Pierre. For a more luxurious and unique experience, make a booking at Maison Souquet Hotel & Spa or at Hotel des Arts Montmartre.
Where to eat:
Some of the best restaurants and bistros in Montmartre are Le Poulbot (3 Rue Poulbot), Sacrée Fleur Montmartre (50 Rue de Clignancourt) and Le Bouclard (1 Rue Cavallotti). The best crepes and raclettes can be found at La Creperie Mon Amie (7 Rue Joseph de Maistre) and at Grenouilles (55 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre)!
Transportation:
Montmartre can be reached by means of metro lines 2, 4 and 12, alighting at the stations of Abbesses, Anvers, or Château Rouge. You can also take the cable car to climb up to Sacré-Coeur.
Suggested Itineraries:
One day in Montmartre: if you only have one day to get to know the Montmartre quarter, here is a super complete itinerary so as to not miss out on anything.
Montmartre is genuinely one of the most interesting and beautiful quarters in Paris! With its fascinating history, its bohemian past, and its artistic present filled with colour and hustle, it is the ideal place to spend one of your days in Paris.
For a day in Montmartre to be truly unforgettable, do not miss out on a climb up to the Sacré-Coeur basilica in order to admire the views, join a free tour with us in order to unravel all of the secrets in the neighbourhood, treat yourself to lunch in a typical bistro, snoop around the art at the Place du Tertre and, as a finishing touch, enjoy a cabaret show at Le Moulin Rouge.
Montmartre and Paris await you!
