Montmartre walking tour & neighborhood guide
Sacré-Cœur, painters' squares and the village on the hill.
Video by Prowalk Tours on YouTube, uploaded Oct 2020. All rights belong to the creator. Like or comment on YouTube ↗
More Paris neighborhoods
Montmartre still feels like a village perched above Paris. Its steep cobbled lanes, stairways and small squares were home to Picasso, Van Gogh, Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec, and from the white domes of Sacré-Cœur at the top, the whole city spreads out below.
Sacré-Cœur and the top of the hill
The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, finished in the early 20th century, crowns the highest natural point in Paris. Its white travertine stone stays bright in all weather, and the steps in front of it are one of the city's favorite places to watch the sunset. Climb the dome for an even wider view, or take the funicular to save your legs.
Just behind the basilica, Place du Tertre is filled with painters at their easels, offering portraits and views of Paris. The streets around it hold the Montmartre Museum, set in the house where Renoir once had a studio, and the Clos Montmartre, a tiny vineyard whose harvest is celebrated every October with a street festival.
The artists' village and Pigalle
The quieter western slopes are the most charming part of Montmartre. Rue de l'Abreuvoir, its famous little pink corner house and the Moulin de la Galette windmill appear in countless paintings and photographs, and the Wall of Love near Abbesses has the words 'I love you' written in more than 250 languages.
At the foot of the hill, the Boulevard de Clichy marks the start of Pigalle, Paris's cabaret district, home to the red windmill of the Moulin Rouge, birthplace of the cancan. South Pigalle, known as SoPi, has become a lively area of bars and shops.
A classic walk in Montmartre
Start at Abbesses metro station, one of the last with its original Art Nouveau entrance, and see the Wall of Love. Climb the stairs to Sacré-Cœur, then wander to Place du Tertre and down the western slope past the vineyard, the pink house and the windmills. Finish on the Boulevard de Clichy at the Moulin Rouge.
Montmartre is hilly, so wear comfortable shoes. Come early in the morning to enjoy the lanes before the crowds, and be wary of people offering string bracelets or petitions near the basilica steps.
Top sights in Montmartre
- 1
Sacré-Cœur Basilica
The white-domed church on the highest point in Paris.
- 2
Place du Tertre
A square full of painters and portrait artists.
- 3
Montmartre Museum
The history of the hill in Renoir's former studio.
- 4
Clos Montmartre
A small vineyard celebrated with a harvest festival each October.
- 5
Wall of Love
'I love you' written in more than 250 languages near Abbesses.
- 6
Moulin Rouge
The famous cabaret and its red windmill.
Food markets & where to eat in Montmartre
Rue Lepic
A winding market street of bakeries, cheese shops and cafés.
Rue des Abbesses
Bistros, wine bars and boulangeries near the metro.
Marché Barbès
A busy open-air market under the elevated metro.
South Pigalle
Cocktail bars and small eateries at the foot of the hill.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Planning a trip to Paris?
Read the full city guide for more walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try across Paris.
Paris city guide →