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Montmartre is such a charming neighbourhood in Paris that you have to visit. This short visual guide will take you through the different things to do and see in Montmartre so that you don’t miss out!
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Montmartre is a beautiful area you need to visit during your trip to Paris. If you are visiting Paris, then you better believe you will find yourself in Montmartre.
It’s an enchanting place to walk around and experience another side of the beautiful city.
A guide to Montmartre
Getting there
Montmartre is located in the 18th arrondissement and can be easily reached by taking the subway. You have the option of getting off at one of three different stations.
The first is Abbesses Station (line 12- Porte de la Chapelle – Mairie d’Issy), which will take you to the Place des Abbesses in Montmartre. This square offers a small glimpse into authentic Parisien life and is just steps away from cafes, boutiques, and restaurants.
The second stop is Anvers Station (line 2-Porte Dauphine-Nation)
Once you arrive at the station, simply walk along the Rue de Steinkerque (where you can also do a lot of shopping as there are several little shops where you can purchase trinkets and souvenirs) and you will find yourself at the base of the Sacre-Coeur Basilica.
Now the last stop you can get off at is Blanche Station (line 2-Porte Dauphine-Nation). After climbing a few steps, you will get your first glimpse of the Moulin Rouge (exciting right? I know!).
Walk down the Rue Lepic, and you will find yourself right on Montmartre Hill.
To get to the top, you have the option to take the Montmartrobus up which will drop you right in front of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica. You can also simply walk up the stairs which I definitely suggest.
After all, you need to work off all the wine, bread, and cheese you’ve been consuming since you stepped foot in Pah-ri!
Keep in mind that Montmartre is a steep hill with narrow streets. So bring your A-game if you’re planning to take the stairs.
Things to do and see in Montmartre
Sacre-Coeur Basilica
The most popular thing to see in Montmartre is the Sacre-Coeur Basilica.
It is located at the highest point on Montmartre hill and offers the most beautiful panoramic views over Paris.
Because it’s so popular, you want to get there as early as possible so you can beat the crowds and have a tourist-free (or less) experience.
When I visited the first time, Yann and I had just come from touring the Eiffel Tower, so it was a little bit later in the day. Luckily for us (and I’m totally being sarcastic here), there was a crazy amount of people taking in the views over Paris from the steps of the Sacre-Coeur Basilica. It was also summer-time so it was the height of tourist season.
The most embarrassing thing (for me) happened when we were crossing the street at the bottom of the steps of the basilica. I was pulled into a mime street show and all eyes were on me, something I’m totally not comfortable with. I think that moment will be seared into my brain forever and anytime I think of the Sacre-Coeur, I’ll think of that memory haha. (To read about it, scroll down till you see ‘Embarrassing story alert’ and enjoy!)
Simply walk around the town
Montmartre is best discovered on foot.
You will see many shops and small boutiques to browse through, as well as restaurants and cafes where you can grab a french meal.
Take in the beautiful architecture of the buildings as you walk along the cobblestone streets and find your way to the Place du Tertre, the main square and the heart of Montmartre.
Place du Tertre
Art is also at the heart of Montmartre and walking around, especially at the Place du Tertre, you will notice all the artistic influences from artists pasts like Vincent Van Gogh and Picasso who stayed in the area.
The square, which has been featured on many postcards, is quite charming and has almost like an open-air gallery feel as it is filled with artists who gather to draw illustrations and/or portraits of beautiful scenery and of willing tourists.
Sinking house
Located on the top of the hill next to the Sacre-Coeur is the famously photographed “sinking” house that, from the right angle, appears like its sinking into the ground. It’s a total visual trick and can be fun to try to photograph.
I’m a little sad since both times I visited Montmartre, I never saw the building. I’ve heard so much talk about it though and have seen some really cool photos. I’m vowing to look for it the next time I’m in Paris!
Moulin Rouge
We can’t talk about Montmartre without talking about the famous Moulin Rouge. Known as the cabaret and the birthplace of the can-can, the moulin Rouge is where you go to be entertained! Either wait in line to watch a show, or purchase your tickets online in advance.
Le mur de je t’aime
As you already know, Paris is known as the city of Love. So if you’re a romantic, like me, the “I love you wall” is something you should definitely see when visiting Montmartre. The blue-tiled wall has the word “ I love you” written 311 times in 250 different languages and was created by calligraphist Frédéric Baron and mural artist Claire Kito.
Check out the different tours offered in Montmartre!
Paris: Montmartre 2 hour walking tour
Montmartre & Sacre Coeur 2.5 hour walking tour
Paris: Romantic Montmartre Exploration Game
How much time do you need in Montmartre?
It is not a huge area, so you can easily see a lot in a short period of time.
If you are visiting Paris for a few days, you can take a full day if you want to explore at a more leisurely pace, or you can simply take a morning, or an afternoon to visit Montmartre.
Where can you stay in Montmartre?
Montmartre is a very popular area in Paris so you can expect to pay a little bit more for your accommodations. You’ll probably be looking at around $100 CAD per night.
I love staying in Airbnb’s as they can be a relatively cheaper option. I always recommend checking out Airbnb listings first because you can get more bang for your buck than just staying in a regular hotel. Just remember to start your search for accommodations early if you want to score a good deal.
If you’ve already booked your stay closer to the main attractions in Paris, then you don’t necessarily need to worry about booking another place in Montmartre. Remember, it’s easily accessible by train, so you can just make it a day trip and not worry about having to pack up your bags for a night.
If you haven’t used Airbnb before and you’re interested in booking your first stay, you can click here to get up to $70 off your first booking!
Book your accommodations today!
Montmartre is such a charming part of the city, so if you’ve never been, I definitely recommend visiting and experiencing it for yourself.
Until next time, Stay blessed ♡
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I wish I had never gone to Montmartre. Said no one ever!
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