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Is Montmartre Worth Visiting?
Yes, a day trip to Montmartre Paris France is worth it! Montmartre is known for its cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture, pretty street cafes, yummy pastries, artists drawing caricatures, vineyards, cabarets, carousel, the famous Sacré-Cœur, and having one of the best views of Paris. Spend the perfect day in Montmartre with this self-guided walking tour to 25 of the best things to do and see in the bohemian community.
Montmartre was once a rural area with orchards and vineyards. Artists began moving into the area in the late 1800s due to low rent and the area filled with cafés and cabarets. Today people flock to Montmartre to visit Sacre-Couer, enjoy the overlook of the city, and walk the cobbled streets of Renoir, Picasso, Dali, and Van Gogh. Be sure to watch Amélie and Paris, and J’taime before your visit. Also, download a playlist of Dalida, a famous French singer who lived in Montmartre, on Spotify to listen to as you explore the area.
READ Complete France Travel Guide, What You Need to Know
READ 100 Things to Do in Paris, a Bucket List City
How to Get to Montmartre
Montmartre is a quick 5-minute Metro ride from Paris. Montmartre is located in Paris’ 18e Arrondissement, atop a large hill. Begin by taking the metro line 7 to Lamarck-Caulaincourt, and be sure to stop to admire the façade. This is the highest point in the area accessed by metro allowing you to descend as you explore, for the most part. Alternatively, you can take an Uber, hop-on-off bus tour, or the mini train from Moulin Rouge to the top and make your way down from Sacré-Cœur.
Important to Know Before You Go
- Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, there is no way to avoid stairs and uphill walks on cobblestone.
- Try to avoid visiting on Monday, as many smaller shops & restaurants are closed.
- The best time to visit Montmartre is in the morning before the crowds arrive.
- Bring a fillable water bottle, there are free fountains for refills.
- Be aware of pickpockets and scams; keep belongings close to you, do not stretch your hands out to anyone or agree to sign anything.
Day Trip to Montmartre Paris France
Top Things to Do in Montmartre
Lamarck-Caulaincourt Metro sign, Saint-Vincent Cemetery, Cabaret Au Lapin Agile, Vigne du Clos Montmartre, La Maison Rose, Rue de l’Abreuvoir, Buste de Dalida, Le Moulin de la Galette, The Passe-Muraille, Le Consulat Restaurant, Dali Paris, Place du Tertre, Chateau d’eau Montmartre, Musée de Montmartre, Rue du Mont Cenis Stairs, Square Marcel Bleustein Blanchet, rue du Chevalier-de-La-Barre stairs, Sacré-Cœur, overlook of Paris, sinking house, Funiculaire Gare Basse, Square Louise-Michel and carousel, Wall of Love, Moulin Rouge, Terass Hotel rooftop terrace.
Self-Guided Walking Tour of Montmartre, Step-by-Step Itinerary
Begin at the Lamarck-Caulaincourt Metro. Begin walking up and pass the Saint-Vincent Cemetery on the way to Cabaret Au Lapin Agile, the oldest bar-cabaret in Paris.
Continue on Rue des Saules to Vigne du Clos Montmartre, the last working vineyard in Paris. Have lunch at Instagram’s famous La Maison Rose.
Walk down Rue de l’Abreuvoir and stop at Buste de Dalida and rub her breast to be lucky in love. Note: you can also visit her tomb at the Saint-Vincent Cemetery if you are a fan.
Turn left on Rue Girardon and continue to the landmark Le Moulin de la Galette, one of the two remaining windmills in Montmartre. Now, backtrack to Pl. Marcel Aymé and turn right to see “The Passe-Muraille” (The Man Who Walked Through Walls) sculpture.
Continue on to the pretty Rue Norvins and Le Consulat Restaurant. To visit the Dali Museum, turn right on Rue Poulbot. Otherwise, follow Rue Norvins to Place du Tertre. Spend some time in this square admiring the artist’s paintings and have your caricature done.
Keep going and turn left at Rue du Mont-Cenis. Pass the Chateau d’eau Montmartre (water tower). Turn left on Rue Cortot to visit the Musée de Montmartre, or, continue on to the Rue du Mont Cenis Stairs.
You can now go down the stairs and come back up around the corner, or, backtrack to Rue du Chevalier de la Barre and wind around to Square Marcel Bleustein Blanchet. Either way, stop for photos looking back at Sacré-Cœur and relax in the park before continuing on.
Check out the Rue du Chevalier-de-La-Barre stairs before continuing around the base of Sacré-Cœur and entering the famous church. If you have the energy, climb another 300 stairs to the top of the dome for incredible city views.
Exit the church and stop at the overlook of Paris for photos. Continue down the stairs and turn back for photos of Sacré-Cœur. Now, head left for a view of the Eiffel Tower and right to get that photo of the sinking house you have seen on Instagram.
Ride the Funiculaire Gare Basse (fare is equal to Metro fare and included in Metro pass) or continue walking down to the Square Louise-Michel and ride the famous carousel.
Make your way from Square Louise-Michel to the Wall of Love made of 612 tiles that say ‘I love you’ in 250 different languages. You are now at the Abbesses Metro stop and can make your way back to the hotel.
Want to stay for the evening? Purchase Moulin Rouge tickets for the 7PM dinner and 9PM show. Or, stop at Terass Hotel and enjoy a cocktail with views of the Eiffel Tower and Sacré-Cœur from the rooftop terrace.
Check the Montmartre Office of Tourism website for additional information.
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