In a nutshell
- Montmartre has it all: narrow alleyways, street artists, cozy restaurants and cafés, and the iconic Basilica of Sacré-Cœur with a stunning view over Paris. In short: Montmartre is incredibly diverse.
- We think this neighborhood is absolutely fantastic — and we’ll walk you through the best highlights and insider tips in this artists’ quarter so you don’t miss a thing.
- We’ll also share a 45-minute self-guided walk through Montmartre, put together from our own experience on the ground.
- Planning to explore Montmartre in the evening? We’ve got you covered with the best cabaret shows and the coolest bars.
What Do You Need to Know About the Montmartre Neighborhood?
First and foremost, Montmartre is a hill in Paris. And on this hill sits the neighborhood of the same name, Montmartre. A wonderfully beautiful artists’ quarter.
The Montmartre neighborhood embodies everything Paris stands for. Art, music, wine, cafés, great food, charming houses on narrow lanes, and a carefree, romantic atmosphere. For us, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world.
We’d even go so far as to say that Montmartre Paris is in a class of its own. Truly. Camden in London? No. Trastevere in Rome? Close. But still not quite there.
The thing about Montmartre is this: here you can feel the heart of Paris beating. The authentic and the touristy sides are perfectly balanced.
You can meet Parisian artists in galleries, try French specialties by lamplight, catch cabaret shows, admire street art, and enjoy an unforgettable view of Paris from the hilltop.
No wonder painters like Van Gogh, Renoir, and Picasso kept finding inspiration here.
Where Is Montmartre Located in Paris?
The Montmartre neighborhood is located in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, north of the historic city center.
The easiest way to get to Montmartre is by Metro. There are several stops in the neighborhood:
- Anvers
- Abbesses
- Blanche
- Lamarck Caulaincourt (behind the hill)
- Pigalle
Montmartre Attractions
Basilica of Sacré-Cœur with a View
The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur is probably the most famous attraction in Montmartre.
It sits right at the top of the Montmartre hill and is easily visible from virtually all other Paris attractions.
You can walk up on foot, or ride the Funiculaire de Montmartre cable car for about 2 euros.
Either way, don’t skip the Sacré-Cœur. The church is not only absolutely stunning to look at, but also delivers an unforgettable panorama of Paris from the forecourt!
Moulin Rouge Variety Show
The Moulin Rouge is by far the most famous cabaret in Paris and is located right in Montmartre.
Here you can watch traditional cabaret shows full of dancing, glamour, and acrobatics. Tickets sell out well in advance, though, so plan ahead if this is on your list.
Alternatively, it’s worth checking out another cabaret show — which can even be cheaper — and simply seeing the Moulin Rouge from the outside.
We go into more detail about cabaret in Montmartre further below.
Staircases of Montmartre
Countless staircases wind their way over the Montmartre hill. The most photographed is the Escaliers du Calvaire, right next to the Place du Tertre.
Because of its fame, it gets seriously crowded here. You’ll usually only get good photos early in the morning, when other tourists are still at breakfast.
But don’t worry — the seemingly 100 other staircases in Montmartre are just as beautiful and far less crowded.
Place du Tertre
The Place du Tertre sits at the heart of Montmartre and is the ultimate hotspot for street artists.
You can watch painters at work, buy art, and even have your own portrait done.
Some say the authentic artistic scene has given way to tourism, but we still think it’s super cool.
Colorful, lively, and full of variety. And right in the middle of all the artistic bustle, there are also some great cafés.
Musée de Montmartre
The Musée de Montmartre is a real standout among the museums in Paris.
Here, in a 17th-century building — where Renoir himself once lived — you can dive into the history of Montmartre.
You get a wonderfully authentic look at how the creative minds of Paris lived and worked, and for a little while you can daydream your way back to the Paris of the past.
Book Musée de Montmartre & Gardens Ticket Online
Montmartre Cemetery
The Montmartre Cemetery is located in the western part of the neighborhood and feels like a smaller version of the grand Parisian cemetery Père Lachaise.
Well, smaller is relative — Montmartre Cemetery is actually the third-largest cemetery in Paris.
So if you don’t make it to Père Lachaise, this is a great alternative.
You’ll find impressive old graves and mausoleums here — and celebrities like Dalida and Gustave Moreau are buried here too.
Le mur des je t'aime
What would the City of Love be without romantic spots? One of them is the Le mur des je t’aime in Montmartre.
The wall consists of 612 enamel tiles on which “I love you” is written 311 times in 250 languages. And there’s even more to it than that — the architects gave the wall a deeper meaning.
The red patches represent the broken heart of a divided humanity, which is meant to be reunited through the wall.
Ah, the French are wonderfully sentimental. We love it.
Really cool for movie fans: Montmartre was the filming location for many scenes in “Amélie.”
As you walk through the neighborhood, you can spot several locations from the film — for example, the Café des Deux Moulins, where Amélie works as a waitress, and the grocery store Maison Collignon.
Walking Tour of Montmartre
Every path in Montmartre leads you somewhere beautiful. But to make sure you really see all the highlights without losing your bearings, we’ve put together a 45-minute route through the artists’ quarter.
We’ve walked it ourselves and absolutely loved it! Of course, you can tailor the stops to your own preferences — you don’t have to see everything.
We’ve also mapped out the route further below.
- Start: Blanche station
- Moulin Rouge
- Amélie’s Café (Café des Deux Moulins)
- Place des Abbesses
- Le mur des je t’aime
- Amélie’s Apartment
- Place Emile Goudeau
- Rue de l’Abreuvoir
- Escaliers du Calvaire (The Famous Staircase)
- Place du Tertre
- Sacré-Cœur & Viewpoint (Stairs or Cable Car)
- Musée de Montmartre
- Montmartre Cemetery
- End: Blanche station
By the way: Around the squares in Montmartre you’ll find water fountains where you can refill your water bottles. Super handy.
Paris Montmartre Map with Walking Route
For easier navigation, we’ve marked the route through Montmartre on the map below.
Guided Tours of Montmartre
If you’d rather not explore Montmartre entirely on your own, you can also have someone show you around this charming neighborhood:
By Le Petit Train
Le Petit Train is a small, white train that putters through the lanes of Montmartre daily from 10 AM to 6 PM.
The starting and ending point is at Place Blanche. The route takes you past the Moulin Rouge, the Sacré-Cœur, the Place du Tertre, and the Musée de Montmartre, among other highlights.
Everything is commented on live and in English.
The ride lasts 40 minutes and costs 10 euros for adults and 5 euros for children ages three to 12.
We especially recommend the train for families with kids or if you have trouble getting around on foot. Check out our article Tips for Paris with Kids for more on visiting the Montmartre neighborhood with children.
You can buy your ticket directly from the conductor on the day, or book in advance online for a specific date.
With a Local Guide
With a local guide, you’ll pick up fascinating facts about Montmartre that you’d easily miss on your own.
So if you have the time and want to explore Montmartre in more depth with a small group, we’d recommend the 2.5-hour Montmartre Highlights walking tour.
Book the Montmartre Highlights Walking Tour Online
4 Cool Montmartre Insider Tips
Restaurant Le Potager
Le Potager is a fantastic local favorite for really delicious dining in Montmartre.
It has a wonderfully cozy atmosphere and serves up diverse French cuisine at very reasonable prices. And when the weather’s nice, you can sit outside too.
The restaurant is quite small, though, so it’s worth reserving a table online ahead of time.
Moulin de la Galette
The Moulin de la Galette is a charming, little windmill right in the middle of Montmartre.
It has stood on this spot since 1622 and has been an inspiration to many artists, including Renoir, Van Gogh, and Picasso.
Today, the Moulin de la Galette is privately owned and unfortunately not open to the public. You can, however, get a great view of it from the Rue Lepic and take some lovely photos.
Parc de la Turlure
The Parc de la Turlure — also known as Parc Marcel Bleustein Blanchet — is a lovely green space with several terraces and walking paths right next to the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur.
The various terraces feature different plantings, plenty of benches, and even playgrounds with climbing walls. Picnicking is welcome here too.
Galerie Butte Montmartre
Right in the heart of Montmartre, on the Rue des Saules, you’ll find the Galerie Butte.
This is the place to pick up the coolest Paris souvenirs: paintings, vintage advertising posters, and really lovely postcards at very reasonable prices.
Montmartre Paris in the Evening
Montmartre isn’t just beautiful during the day. You can also have a great night out here — catch shows, grab a drink, and experience Paris at night. Here are our tips:
Cabaret Shows in Montmartre
First, a quick heads-up: a cabaret show is a variety-style performing arts show. There are comedy sketches, acrobats, women dancing on tables in elaborate costumes, and feathers and glitter galore.
The shows are in French. Some basic knowledge can be helpful, but it’s not strictly necessary — it’s really all about what you see with your eyes.
In most cases, there are two ticket options: either the show only, or the show combined with dinner on-site.
The most famous cabaret show in Paris is the one at the Moulin Rouge. Performances here are often sold out weeks in advance.
So if you have your heart set on the most iconic cabaret in the city, book early.
Moulin Rouge Ticket Show + Dinner
Find out more about Parisian cabaret here:
The Best Bars in Montmartre
#1 Le Tagada Bar: Known for great cocktails and perfect for sitting outside.
View on Google Maps
#2 Chez Camille: Cool bar with a certain something. Live music often plays here too.
View on Google Maps
#3 Marlusse et lapin: Cozy, creative bar with affordable drinks.
Our Montmartre Hotel Recommendations
Want to stay right in Montmartre? Here are three cool hotel picks for you:
Find more great hotels here:
Frequently Asked Questions About Montmartre Paris
What makes Montmartre special?
Montmartre is a neighborhood full of charm and a quintessentially French vibe. Art, music, restaurants, cafés, and windmills.
It’s exactly this mix that makes the neighborhood so special and authentic.
On top of that, you won’t find rows of hotels lining every street — instead, you’ll see genuinely beautiful, sometimes colorful, ivy-covered residential buildings. Absolutely lovely.
How many steps does Montmartre have?
Some of Montmartre’s staircases have a whoooole lot of steps. The longest one leads you directly to the Sacré-Cœur — it has 222 steps.
Which artists lived in Montmartre?
Among the best-known artists who lived in Montmartre Paris are Renoir, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Picasso.
What does Montmartre mean?
Montmartre translates as “Martyr’s Hill“. The exact origin of the name isn’t known.
What does the Funiculaire Montmartre cost?
A ticket for the Funiculaire cable car in Montmartre costs around 2 euros and can easily be purchased on-site at the ticket machine.
Can you see the Eiffel Tower from Montmartre?
Yes! You can see the Eiffel Tower from the forecourt of Sacré-Cœur. From there, you get an absolutely stunning panorama of Paris anyway — and it’s completely free.
What does a portrait cost in Montmartre?
For a portrait by a street artist in Montmartre, expect to pay between 15 and 60 euros.
It all depends on which artist you choose and where you are.
The highest prices tend to be at the Place du Tertre.
Is Montmartre safe?
Montmartre is not one of the dangerous neighborhoods in Paris. Those are located more on the outskirts and are generally not visited by tourists.
That said, keep a close eye on your valuables in Montmartre. Pickpockets are active here, especially on the forecourt of Sacré-Cœur.
