Montmartre

The basics

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, select an experience tailored to your interests, such as a Montmartre food tour or an art-themed walking tour led by a local guide. For nighttime fun, head to a cabaret show at Lapin Agile or the Moulin Rouge, located down the hill in Pigalle. Of course, you can also visit on your own.

Things to know before you go

• 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 cobbled streets.

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

• If you’re interested in art or gardens, allow for time to visit the Musée de Montmartre.

• Watch out for pickpockets, and don’t let the people walking around and selling things illegally distract you.

How to get there

Montmartre can be easily reached from across Paris. Climb the hill on foot if your calves allow. Ride the funicular to the base of Sacré-Coeur, or opt for the photo-friendly staircases where locals and tourists alike have picnics and watch the sunset over the city.

By public transit, the Abbesses metro station deposits you a few blocks from Place du Tertre while the Anvers metro station puts you just below Sacré-Coeur. Traveling by car? Any taxi or rideshare driver will know how to get here. Street parking is limited, so if you’re driving a rental, consider parking in the garage on Rue Dancourt.

When to get there

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. If you visit in the winter, make sure to check out the Montmartre Christmas Market which usually runs from late November through early January.

Visit Paris’ only working vineyard

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. It’s not open to the general public. However, you can book a tour such as the Montmartre Hill French Gourmet Food and Wine Tasting Walking Tour. While the wine produced here won’t win any awards for taste, it’s a fun novelty, and most tours include stops at wine bars with better-tasting vintages.

Ways to explore

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, select an experience tailored to your interests, such as a Montmartre food tour or an art-themed walking tour led by a local guide. After dark, head to a cabaret show at Lapin Agile or the Moulin Rouge, located down the hill in Pigalle.

Accessibility

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

Age limits

Walking tours are ideal for all ages, but most cabaret shows have age restrictions for children.

What to pack

Camera, battery pack, water bottle, cash for Place du Tertre art market

What to wear

Comfortable shoes, clothing covering shoulders and knees to enter the Sacré-Coeur Basilica

Not allowed

Paris is a famously chic city, and the bohemian Montmartre quarter is no exception. Skip the flip-flops, shorts, and sweatshirts.

Amenities

Public restrooms, parks, eateries, shops

Address

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 where locals and tourists alike picnic and watch the sunset over the city.

Driving

Montmartre has narrow, winding streets and large pedestrian areas, so driving is a hassle and is best left to locals. Instead, reach this atmospheric quarter on foot or with public transportation.

Public transportation

Take the metro line 12 to the Abbesses station, near Place du Tertre, or line 2 to the Anvers station below Sacré-Coeur. Once there, take the funicular to the Montmartre hill’s summit, where the landmark basilica is perched.

Best times to visit

Arrive in late afternoon to catch the sunset from Montmartre’s panoramic hilltop. Afterward, grab a drink in a neighborhood bar or catch a cabaret show.

Best days to visit

This popular tourist area is overrun on the weekends, so visit from Monday to Friday to avoid the gridlock around Place du Tertre and Sacré-Coeur.

Best months to visit

Paris is at its busiest from spring through fall, so the quietest months to explore its arrondissements are between November and March.

Special events

Montmartre hosts several festivals each year, including the Grape Harvest Festival (Fête des Vendanges) in October and the Les Arènes Lyriques classical music festival each summer.