With its cobblestone streets, artistic history, and centuries-old houses, there’s a reason why Montmartre is a must-see neighborhood when visiting Paris. Keep reading for the Complete Walking Guide to Montmartre neighborhood of Paris!
MONTMARTRE HISTORY
Montmartre, or ‘mountain of the martyr’; gets its name from a dark, yet captivating history.
Around 250AD, the first bishop of Paris, Saint Denis, came to Paris as a missionary to spread Christianity to the city of Paris. However, the local pagan priests felt threatened by Saint Denis and ordered that he be sentenced to death. His decapitation took place in the heart of the Montmartre neighborhood we see today.
But the story doesn’t end there. According to legend, Saint Denis then stood up, picked up his severed head, and walked almost 4 miles north – all while preaching a sermon the whole way! Montmartre gets its name from the martyr Saint Denis, who now has an entire town and church named after him at the spot where he collapsed and died.
Thankfully, Montmartre has a lighter side of more recent history. Around the 19th Century, Montmartre became famous for its lively cafés, cabarets, and public dancing squares. Entertainment venues such as Le Moulin Rouge drew in top talent and became a popular spot with Parisians.
Many famous artists like Picasso, Van Gogh, and Monet lived and worked in this lively neighborhood – attracted to the area’s affordable cost of living and lively atmosphere.
Picasso even painted one of his most famous paintings, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. while living in Montmartre, proving that this neighborhood is full of inspiration!
HOW TO GET TO MONTMARTRE
You can reach Montmartre easily by the Paris metro. Line 12 (Abbesses) and Line 2 (Anvers and Blanche) are the closest metro stations. Montmartre is located north of the city center of Paris and usually takes around 30-40 minutes to arrive via the metro.
TIP: When exiting the Abbesses metro stop, be sure to follow the crowd and take the elevator exit. This metro stop is located over 100 feet below ground, so unless you need a quick workout, I suggest avoiding the stairs.
THIS WALKING GUIDE
The neighborhood of Montmartre is on every Paris guide, but what does that exactly mean? Where should you go? What are the best ‘things to do’?
This walking guide is meant to be an answer to all those questions.
You can use the map below to navigate your way through the winding cobblestone streets of Paris’s best neighborhood.
The total walking time of this route is 45 minutes, but I recommend allowing at least 2-3 hours for this tour.
Le Mur Des Je T’Aime/”I love you” wall
Paris is the city of love, so let’s begin this walking tour by checking out a mural that is all about just that. Created in 2000 by calligraphist Fédéric Baron and mural artist Claire Kito, Le Mur Des Je T’Aime features the phrase ‘I love you’ written 311 times in 250 languages!
Located just outside the Abbesses metro station in the romantic garden of the Square Jehan Rictus, this mural is the width of almost the whole park (430 sq ft). Try to find these words in your local language, which may take you a minute considering this wall is so huge.
Sacré-Cœur Basilica
Perched on a hill high above Paris, this wedding cake-white church is one of the most iconic monuments in Paris. With over 11 million visitors each year, the Sacré-Cœur is France’s second most visited church after Notre Dame. Sacré-Cœur, meaning ‘Sacred Heart’ gets its name from the sacred heart of Jesus. Entry to the church is free, though no photos are allowed inside.
TIP: The area around Sacré-Cœur can get VERY crowded. Watch your belongings and don’t participate in any street vendor games – they’re most likely just there to scam unknowing tourists.
View of Paris
Sacré-Cœur Basilica may have the attention of you and your camera, but be sure to turn around to see one of the best city views of Paris. You can sit on the many steps leading up to the basilica to take in the views. Try to spot some of Paris’ most famous sights like the Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, and even the Eiffel Tower (way over to the right).
Sinking House
The next stop on this walking tour is something a bit different, but hey, Montmartre is all about creativity, so why not bring out your modern-day Picasso?
When you’re on the stairs overlooking the city, go to the last set of steps looking at Sacré-Cœur and look to your right. You’ll see a pink house peeking above the hill. Simply tilt your camera and capture this fun optical illusion.
Square Marcel Bleustein Blanchet
This hidden square is one of my favorite places in Montmartre – mostly because it’s still yet to be discovered by most tourists. Tucked away in an unassuming location, this green space is the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle of Montmartre with even more amazing views of Sacré-Cœur Basilica.
Place du Tertre
Only a few streets away fromthe Sacré-Cœur Basilica lies the true heart of Montmartre – Place du Tertre. This public square, once frequented by many of Paris’s greatest artists, is where amateur artists showcase their artistic talents to eager tourists.
Here you’ll find artists painting everything from Paris skylines to the Eiffel Tower to even portraits and caricature. This is a fun place to get a special souvenir – though it can get quite expensive.
The competition is fierce to become an artist on the Place du Tertre, with some saying the waitlist is up to 10 years long! With its many artists propping up their easel every day, Place du Tertre is a reminder of the time when Montmartre was the center of modern art.
TIP: Unless you just want to sip a café au lait while people watching, I recommend avoiding the food at most of the restaurants, brasseries, and bars that line this square. They serve overpriced and pretty mediocre food.
Le Consulat Cafe
Possibly the most photographed cafe in Paris, Le Consulat is a must-see when strolling through the streets of Montmartre. Located on Rue Norvins, you’ll find Le Consulat Cafénestled between 2 cobblestone streets.
Here, you can really walk in the footsteps of the greats like Picasso, Sisley, Monet, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Van Gogh, who were regulars at this cafe. Today, Le Consulat is a somewhat touristy cafe local French cuisine, but its charm is what makes it so unique.
Clos Montmartre
France may be known for its Bordeaux and Burgundy wines, but you can actually see a vineyard right here in the city center of Paris! Tucked away quietly behind the Sacré-Cœur lies Paris’ only remaining vineyard. Since 1930, this unassuming vineyard has been producing wine in the heart of the city.
Each year, the grapes are harvested and then fermented in the basem*nt of the local town hall. The 800 to 1,000 bottles of wine are then sold at an annual festival called Fête des Vendanges. The wine is notoriously bad, so purchasing it is more of a collector’s item or a fun gift – plus all the proceeds go to charity! This is a fun and unique stop on your walking tour through Montmartre.
La Maison Rose
For one of the cutest coffee shops in the city, head over to La Maison Rose. While it may look like it was built just for Instagram with its beautiful pastel pink façade, this cafe has actually been in operation for well over a century, serving artists like Picasso during his day. In the warmer months, you’ll be able to eat outside on green picnic chairs, while the inside is the perfect spot to warm up with some coffee in the colder months.
Rue de l’Abreuvoir
If there’s one place in Montmartre that I can never resist coming back to, it’s Rue de l’Abreuvoir. This small street, with its half-timber houses and ivy-covered walls, will make you think you’ve stumbled into a small village in the South of France. Beginning at La Maison Rose, this cobblestone street is home to another famous landmark in Montmartre – Place Dalida. Place Dalida is dedicated to the French music icon Dalida, who loved and lived in Montmartre. Be sure to walk to the intersection of Rue Girardon and Ruede l’Abreuvoir to see one of the best street views in Montmartre (pictured right).
Le Passe-Muraille
Mounted on a stone wall and looking as if caught mid-stride walking through a wall, this bronze statue is a tribute to the work of the French writer, Marcel Aymé. In his story, a man named Dutilleul finds out he has the ability to pass through walls. He uses this unique talent to become a robber. One night, he loses his power and ends up stuck in the middle of the wall, where he remains to this day.
His outstretched hand is bright and smooth from the many tourists and visitors who have tried to help and pull him on through the wall. See if you can give him a big tug and get him out!
Le Moulin de la Galette
Constructed in 1622, this windmill was once one of 30 windmills in Montmartre used to grind flour and press grapes harvested from the local vineyard. Now, only a handful of theseParisian windmillsremain to tell their history, all of which are located in Montmartre.
In the 19th century, Le Moulin de la Galette was the place to go for entertainment, a glass of wine, and bread made from flour ground by the windmill. Frequented by artists such as Renoir, Picasso, and van Gogh, this windmill inspired some of their most famous works. In 1876, Renior completed one of impressionism’s most celebrated masterpieces, Le Bal du Moulin de la Galette, which depicts a festive Sunday afternoon at Le Moulin de la Galette. This famous painting can now be found at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
Today, this windmill is turned into a chic brasserie restaurant to be enjoyed by all.
Moulin Rouge
No trip to Montmartre is complete without stopping by the Moulin Rouge. Best known as the birthplace of the modern form of thecan-can dance, the Moulin Rouge evolved into a form of entertainment of its own and led to the introduction ofcabaretsacross Europe.
Today, the Moulin Rouge is a toptourist attraction in Paris, offering entertainment for visitors from around the world.
Pigalle Basketball
In an unassuming location sandwiched between two apartment buildings lies the Pigalle Basketball Court – where 3-pointers and alley-oops meet contemporary art. This court is a fun, off-the-beaten-path pit stop as you’re finishing up your Montmartre walking guide.
Musée de la Vie Romantique
Located in the 1830s home of painter Ary Scheffer, this town-house, with its paved courtyard and romantic garden has kept its 19th-century charm.
For decades, Scheffer hosted Friday-evening salons, entertaining the artistic elite of the time: Delacroix, Rossini, Chopin, and even Charles Dickens. The history of this mansion creates the perfect setting for this museum.
Musée de la Vie Romantique is free to the public for its permanent collections. These include portraits, furniture, and jewelry from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as Ary Scheffer’s paintings, and contemporary works. An admission fee is charged for temporary exhibitions.
In the museum’s garden, the tearoom keeps the romantic vibe of the museum and is the perfect place for a coffee.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING MONTMARTRE
Montmartre is on every tourists’ bucket list, so it can get very crowded on this hilltop neighborhood. I recommend visiting either on weekdays or early in the morning to enjoy this neighborhood without too many people.
Montmartre is also a very hilly place. You’ll need to climb several flights of stairs in order to reach the top. I recommend wearing sturdy walking shoes and come prepared to walk!
WHERE TO EAT IN MONTMARTRE
GRENOUILLES – for a quick bite to eat for lunch, I highly recommend this little sandwich shop. Located in the heart of Montmartre, this shop serves my favorite sandwich in the city: the ham and raclette baguette. They melt the raclette cheese right in front of you and serve it up hot – it’s so delicious. TIP: head over to Square Nadar park with your sandwich for the best picnic spot overlooking the city.
Tifinagh – looking for a delicious, non-touristy French meal? Just a short distance from the Moulin Rouge is a French restaurant that the locals frequent often. Tifnagh offers truly delicious food with the freshest ingredients and superb wine choices at great prices. I recommend ordering the fish — it’s some of the best I’ve ever had!
Sacree Fleur – For a delicious steak dinner, head over to this traditional French restaurant that specializes in meat dishes. Located just 5 minutes from the Sacre Coeur, Sacree Fleur offers quality meat and fresh ingredients. The côte de boeuf for two is amazing, along with the homemade sauces that come with it.
I hope you found this Complete Walking Guide to Montmartre helpful. Know of any other neat places in Montmartre? Let me know in the comments!
Want more info about Paris? Check out my other Paris blog posts:
- Complete Walking Guide to the Latin Quarter
- 10 Things To Know Before Visiting Paris
- 12 Best Views of the Eiffel Tower
- 10 Places You Must Eat In Paris
DID YOU LIKE THIS POST? PIN IT FOR LATER!
