Montmartre

Montmartre is included in many city sightseeing tours alongside other top attractions, which are great options for time-pressed travelers in Paris. For a more in-depth look at Montmartre, select an experience tailored to your interests, such as a Montmartre food tour or an art-themed walking tour. For nighttime fun, head to a cabaret show at the Moulin Rouge, located down the hill in Pigalle. Of course, Montmartre can also be visited independently.

• Montmartre is a popular part of Paris, so be prepared for crowds in the busy summer season.

• The neighborhood is a must-see for art history buffs and those looking for postcard views.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes for the many stairs and cobblestones of Montmartre.

• Montmartre is not easily accessible for wheelchair users, thanks to raised curbs and cobblestone sidewalks.

Montmartre can be easily reached from across Paris. Climb the hill on foot, ride the funicular to the base of Sacré-Coeur, or opt for the photo-friendly staircases. By public transit, the Abbesses metro station deposits you a few blocks from Place du Tertre, and the Anvers metro station puts you just below Sacré-Coeur. Any taxi driver will know how to get to Montmartre.

Just like the rest of Paris, Montmartre will charm you at any time of year. If you’re there in summer, go in the morning to beat the masses and enjoy the neighborhood’s architecture and atmosphere in relative tranquility.

Less of a secret than it used to be but still an interesting hidden gem, Le Clos Montmartre is the only working vineyard in Paris. Set on the slopes of the hill, north of Place du Tertre, the vines were originally planted to defend the area from property development and are owned by the city. Catching a glimpse of the vineyard offers a nice respite from Montmartre’s crowds and while it’s not open to the general public, you can book a tour.

The top attractions to visit in Montmartre in Paris include the domed Basilique du Sacré-Coeur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart), Montmartre’s standout landmark and a sacred site, and the Moulin Rouge, the famous cabaret hall that’s home to the Doriss girls and their carefully choreographed cancans.

Yes, there’s a range of guided tours available in Montmartre. The classic is a walking tour of the neighborhood that includes admission to the Sacré-Coeur, but there are also food tours and quirkier options that showcase Montmartre’s hidden gems. Many day-long Paris tours pass by Montmartre, too.

The Montmartre neighborhood is north of central Paris; it takes around 30 minutes to get there by metro. By public transit, ride the metro to the Anvers stop close to the Sacré-Coeur. Otherwise, hop off at the Abbesses stop, a short walk from Montmartre’s Place du Tertre.

Montmartre Hill and the Sacré-Coeur are the best viewpoints in Montmartre for panoramic views of Paris. If you’ve paid for Sacré-Coeur admission, climb the spiral staircase up the dome to gaze at the Eiffel Tower. If not, soak up views from the steps in front of the basilica.

Moulin Rouge shows take place in the evening, so you can’t catch a performance if you’re only in Paris for a day. However, many guided tours of Paris or Montmartre stop outside the Moulin Rouge; they typically explain its history and give you time to take photos.

Yes, Montmartre was the place to be during the Belle Epoque era. During these creative years, famous artists such as Pablo Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec, Salvador Dalí, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir were drawn to the neighborhood. Many Montmartre tours focus on art history and the artists who made this Parisian hill their home.