Paris Montmartre Things to Do - Tips for Exploring the Area

The artists’ district of Montmartre is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Paris. Small bistros and cafes line the 18th arrondissement, and it’s also home to the city’s highest hill and the Sacré Cœur Basilica. Not only Parisians but also many tourists stroll through the streets, especially on warm summer days.

Montmartre – A day in the popular district of Paris

While many of the sights in Paris are spread throughout the city, there’s a lot to be discovered in Montmartre alone. Churches, markets, cafes, or even the famous Moulin Rouge. Either way, Montmartre is a great starting point for a trip to Paris. We’ll show you here the best Montmartre things to do.

How to get to Paris

The fastest option to get to Paris is the plane. From places all over the world you can find direct connections to the french capital. Cheap flights can be had for less than a 100 €. Schedules, prices and tickets can be found on Skyscanner.

Info: There are many options to get to the center from the airport. If you’re travelling with people a private driver or a shared ride in a minivan are your best options. A train ride can be quite expensive.

Apart from taking a plane, you have many train and bus options from neighboring countries. Travel times are a lot longer though, and prices can vary widely. More information, as well as tickets and prices, can be found on Omio.

Accommodation in Paris – our hotel tip

To discover Montmartre and the rest of Paris, the neighbourhood is a perfect starting point. Even though Paris is expensive, Montmartre still got a couple of good and affordable Hotels in the downtown. We chose the ibis Hotel Paris Montmartre for our stay and can only recommend it. The rooms aren’t that big, but they accomodate all you need: a comfy bed, air conditioning, a TV and a bathroom.

Tip: Make sure to book a room facing the graveyard (just note it as an extra request on the booking page). You will have a great view of Montmartre.

You can explore the artists’ quarter by foot and there are metro and bus stations to get to the rest of Paris. Other hotels in Montmartre or elsewhere in town can be found here.

1. Montmartre – The Artists’ District of Paris

Small streets, bistros, cafes – that’s how many visitors imagine Paris. And it’s exactly what you’ll find in Montmartre. The artists’ quarter is one of the most popular districts in Paris and has a lot to offer.

Walking around Montmartre, you can just let yourself drift and discover a lot. For example, the Mills of Montmartre, two of which are still standing, were built in 1622 and 1717. Or, in the evening, the stunning sunset that rises over the rooftops of the arrondissement.

Montmartre is located on a hill, so many alleys go up and down. This makes the neighborhood even more exciting and beautiful. Even if you’re not looking for the big sights, Montmartre will make you feel like the Paris many visitors imagine.

If you want to learn more about Montmartre than just walking around on your own, join one of the guided tours of Montmartre in English. You’ll get a great insight.

2. Cafes and Bistros in Montmartre

You’ll find many cafes and bistros along Rue Lepic and Rue des Abbesses. There are many restaurants etc. right on the street and also famous cafes like the “Café des 2 Moulins” from the movie “The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain”.

These two streets are definitely perfect if you want to take a break after a long walk or just spend a nice evening in one of the bistros with some wine and delicious food.

And the two streets are also home to several brasseries and many shops selling the popular macarons, cheese, and other delicacies. By the way, if you’re not sure what to try, why not take a culinary tour of Montmartre?

3. Sacré Cœur

One of the most famous sights of Paris is the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, actually Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre, which was built in the 19th century. It is located on the hill of Montmartre and offers a great view of Paris besides the church itself.

To get to Sacré Cœur, you have to walk about 200 steps through the park in front of it. An alternative is the “Funiculaire de Montmartre”, a funicular that also takes you up the hill. However, you’ll need a metro ticket.

Every day at the Basilica, many people sit on the steps or in the park, watching the hustle and bustle, taking pictures, or playing music. A lot is going on. You can visit Sacré Cœur for free, but if you want to learn more about the Basilica, a tour with an expert guide is definitely worthwhile.

4. Place du Tertre

A few minutes’ walk from Sacré Cœur Basilica you’ll find the Place du Tertre, which becomes especially crowded after lunchtime. Many visitors sit in the restaurants or admire the paintings of the nearly 300 painters who work on the Place du Tertre.

You can visit Place du Tertre all day long as the bistros offer everything from breakfast to lunch to dinner. You can also find small crêperies or souvenir shops in the alleys around the square. A great place for a refreshment after visiting the Sacré Cœur or just to soak up some city life.

5. Le mur des je t’aime

The “I love you” wall is somewhat hidden in a small park on the Place des Abbesses. You can visit it for free during the day, but it’s closed in the evening. Here, in 2000, two artists painted the words “I love you” on a wall in 300 different languages and dialects. A romantic place for couples on a trip to Paris.

6. Moulin Rouge

Almost everyone who has been to Paris has heard of Moulin Rouge. It’s located on the Boulevard de Clichy and can be recognized from afar by its famous red mill. Every night there are two shows in the famous cabaret, which are very popular. Tickets are often sold out, so it’s a good idea to book tickets online in advance, including dinner.

7. Cimetière de Montmartre

The cemetery of Montmartre is the third largest cemetery in Paris and although it may sound strange, it’s often visited by tourists. “Cimetière de Montmartre” is one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Paris. It exists since 1825 and you can find about 20,000 graves on site.

Some are very small and modest, others are inside a so-called mausoleum. Many famous actors and writers are buried here, such as Heinrich Heine, Alexandre Dumas, and Jeanne Moreau.

Paris Montmartre: Tours and tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Paris Montmartre in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Montmartre and Paris.

Tip: If you get the Paris City Pass, you can visit many museums and landmarks for free or at a discount. Metro and bus tickets are also included in the price, so you can move around town freely.

Have you ever been to Paris or Montmartre? How do you like the artists’ quarter? Do you have any other tips? Feel free to post them in the comments.