By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 26th May 2018 | Updated: 13th December 2024
Montmartre is an architects, artists and adventurer’s heaven. Cobbled streets, historic buildings and artist hide-outs fill the narrow roads with beauty and interest that can only be found in Paris. So, if you are ever in the area, or wondering if ‘is Montmartre worth visiting’, then here are some things you must see and do in our Montmartre guide:
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Is Montmartre Worth Visiting?
Yes, 100% yes! If you are visiting Paris, then Montmartre should be high on your list of places to visit. The arrondissements across Paris, (districts of the city), all vary greatly, but Montmartre is definitely worth visiting.
With numerous artists over the years calling it home, Montmartre is different to the rest of Paris so expect bustling streets full of artists and cafes on every corner. It is also full to the brim with tiny squares and monuments, so it is not just the rather well-known Sacré-Cœur.
Montmartre Map
Is Montmartre Worth Visiting? Things to See and Do in Montmartre
1. Walk along Rue Norvins
If you want to find the quaintest cobbled streets in all of Paris, alive with the hustle and bustle of people, Rue Norvins is the place to go. Tourists searching out the best cafes and souvenirs, locals selling their wears and playing instruments, hidden art at every street corner, all in the backdrop of the Sacre Coeur peaking out between the buildings.
2. Eat at Restaurant Le Basilic
If you’re after typically French food a warm friendly atmosphere and all within an easy walking distance of the Moulin Rouge, (more on that below!), then make sure you visit Restaurant Le Basilic. The food is incredible, the place is full to the brim every night and the locals love it, so it must be good! (There’s also a really cute macaroon shop just across the road!)
3. Stop by Le mur des Je t’aime
The ‘I Love You Wall’ in a garden square is a wall in Montmartre dedicated to love around the world. Written in 250 different languages over 311 times it is a place every couple should visit in Paris. You can even try and find ‘I love you’ in your language! (If someone finds it in English let me know!).
4. Find Le Moulin Blute-Fin & Moulin de la Galette
Two of the twelve windmills that once stood in Montmartre in the 18th century, this windmill originally used to grind flour now sits above a restaurant on rue Lepic for the most wandering of Parisian explorers to find. We didn’t know it was there until we saw it from the bottom of a street! There are actually four windmills left in Montmartre, so why not try and find them all? One of them is rather famous…
5. Explore Sacré-Cœur
Not only is the Sacré-Cœur an architectural marvel that is worth a visit itself, but the view over the city from outside it is incredible. You can walk up through the gardens to the top, take the vernacular railway up or do as we did and wander through the cobbled side streets until you come across the views.
6. View the Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge, famous for its cabaret and red windmill, (it is French for the red mill!) is surprisingly easy to find in Montmartre. Just a short walk away from the Metro the bright red lights of Moulin Rouge shine throughout the night making it easy to spot from a distance.
7. Drink at Terrass Rooftop Restaurant
Terrass Restaurant with its rooftop bar is most definitely somewhere in Montmartre waiting to be discovered. With perfect views over the city and delicious food who wouldn’t want to go for a drink or two?
8. Wander up the Rue de l’Abreuvoir
This quaint lane is an extremely picturesque perfect place to get a sense of pure Paris, even more so with its famous pink café at the top.
9. Stop at Place Emile-Goudeau
This small square with a Wallace fountain is the perfect place to stop for a croissant and admire the Bateau-Lavoir a building famous for the many artists who once lived there including Renoir and Picasso.
10. Find the Sinking house of Montmartre
It is found near the Sacré-Cœur towards the top of the steps on the right where a grassy bank is…
Where to stay in Montmartre
We would highly recommend staying on the western edge of Montmartre for close proximity to the Metro network as well as lots of options for dining out and accommodation. Check out Booking.com or the map below for the best options for your trip.
Is Montmartre Worth Visiting? FAQs
How to get to Montmartre
The easiest way to get to Montmartre is via the Metro, on line 12 to Abbesses station or line 2 to Anvers and Blanche. It will take around half an hour to get there from the main sights along the river, (Musee de Louvre, Jardin des Tuileries, etc), in central Paris.
How to get around Montmartre
On foot. There is no other sensible way to get around Montmartre, if you were to cycle it will be near on impossible to pass the crowds, and if you were to hop on and off the Metro you will simply miss some of the best bits of the area.
When to visit Montmartre / Best time to visit Montmartre
If you have plenty of time in Paris, then try to visit Montmartre on a weekday rather than the weekend, and early in the morning into early afternoon rather than in the evening as it can get quite busy with tourists outside of these times.
Visiting Paris? Well then check out our How to Spend 3 Days in Paris itinerary for all your Paris trip needs!
You should also check out the Paris Pass from Go City, for discounted rates for tickets to attractions throughout the city, (some up to 50%!).
Where is Montmartre in Paris?
Montmartre is located in the northern 18th district in Paris, approximately 30 minutes via Metro to the Musee Louvre, 35 minutes via Metro to the Arc de Triomphe, and 45 minutes via Metro and bus to the Eiffel Tower.
How long do I need at Montmartre?
You should spend at least half a day or 4 to 5 hours, exploring Montmartre. There are lots of quaint cafes and bars you will inevitably stop in to watch the world go by, as well as beautiful art galleries to visit and the typical sights to see, so you do not want to feel rushed by only spending a couple of hours here.
How long does it take to walk up Montmartre?
To walk from the Metro station Abbesses to the heart of Montmartre and up to the Sacré-Cœur takes roughly 10 minutes, but you will want to stop and explore every little side street you come across so it will definitely take you longer than that!
Is Montmartre easy to walk around?
Montmartre is really easy to walk around. In all honestly, it would probably be a waste of your time to go down to the metro to jump a few stops through the area as it is so easy to walk around. Plus, if you walk you get to spot some of the less touristy places and find things you never knew existed in Paris…
What is the prettiest street in Montmartre?
Either Rue Lepic or Rue Norvins have to be the prettiest street in Montmartre. Both are brimming with picturesque cafes, painters houses and shops selling local wares and both afford you glimpses of the nearby Sacré-Cœur.
What is Montmartre famous for?
Montmartre is famous for its picturesque cobbled streets as well as the numerous painters that call this area home. Montmartre is also known as the Painters Neighbourhood, so you can easily find a unique piece of artwork here to take home with you. It is also famous for the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur which overlooks the city of Paris from its location a top of the hill.
What’s so special about Montmartre?
Montmartre is known for its artistic history, cobbled streets lined with cafes, street art and of course the Sacré-Cœur.
Is Montmartre better in day or night?
Montmartre is beautiful in the day with incredible views over the city as well as numerous art shops and galleries to explore. However Montmartre at night is also wonderful, with lively restaurants and romantic views of the Eiffel Tower.
Best tours to take in Montmartre
Paris is a great place to take a tour to get to see more of the sights from a local perspective, and even find some real gems that the tourists wouldn’t normally see. Check out Get Your Guide for some of the best tours in Montmartre:
Is Montmartre safe?
Yes, it can get quite busy, so obviously be aware of pickpockets and your bag, but this advice goes for visiting any well-known area in any city around the world. You want to avoid the area around Pigalle if you can as this is the red light district of Paris, so can be a little more suspect, but still not unsafe.
Common scams in Montmartre
There are three common scams we saw happening during our time in Montmartre, being given ‘free’ friendship bracelets, being given a ‘free’ rose, and the obvious pickpocketing. Just be aware of your surroundings, don’t engage with the person at all, (it might seem rude, but it will guarantee to make the scammer back off), and don’t take anything from anyone if they offer it to you for free, it will not be free!
Conclusion: Is Montmartre Worth Visiting? Things To Do & Reasons To Visit
To summarise, is Montmartre worth visiting whilst in Paris? 100% yes! So, if you are ever in Paris, make sure you take a trip to this beautiful area and visit some of the places in our Montmartre guide!
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Planning your own trip to France? Be sure to download Wise by far the best currency conversion app around. We use it daily living on the border of two countries and it is a game changer when travelling!
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.
