Private Montmartre Walking Tour
Duration: 2.5 hours
Overview
The streets of Montmartre are nothing short of iconic. With both grand monuments and quieter alleyways, Montmartre is the perfect blend of peaceful reverie & bustling artist quarters! Our tour takes you through the charming streets of Paris’ hilltop village, and a side of the city that seems like a postcard or a forgotten film.
Important information
Does the tour start and end at the same location?
The tour starts at Café Chez Ginette by Métro Lamarck-Caulaincourt and ends in front of the Moulin Rouge at métro Blanche, just above the hip foodie areas of Sopi & Saint-Georges. If you would like to explore more of Montmartre on your own after the tour, your guide can help direct you to the little train or the funiculaire to make your way back up to the Sacré-Cœur.
How long does it take to tour Montmartre?
Our tour is about 2 hours, with plenty of time to take in the views, grab some photos and explore the small streets of Montmartre.
Is Montmartre worth visiting?
Absolutely! The hilltop neighborhood has some amazing views overlooking Paris. Once a village of bustling artists’ quarters, Montmartre has retained much of its charm & is a favourite amongst visitors and locals alike.
How much walking is there?
Our Montmartre Walking Tour is about 2 miles of walking uphill & downhill at a leisurely pace. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes.
Is there food and drink available for purchase during the tour?
Our tour starts at a lovely local café where you are welcome to grab some food & drinks before the start time. Montmartre has several great cafés along our tour which we can easily stop at to grab a small bite to eat or coffee — this is your tour! At the end of the tour there are also plenty of options to grab a bite to eat in SOPI.
Do you go inside the Sacré-Coeur Basilica?
The Sacré-Coeur Basilica is free of charge. You can visit during your tour with your guide or at your own pace following the tour. Do keep in mind the line can be quite long (around 15 min).
What happens if it rains?
Our tour runs rain or shine. Please dress appropriately for the weather
Do you need a Tour Guide for Montmartre?
Montmartre is a bustling neighborhood open to the public, where many Parisians still live today. You are not required to have a guide to explore Montmartre on your own, but do note the area is quite steep and has many small winding streets, which could skyrocket your step count quickly! We recommend a Tour Guide if you are looking to see all of Montmartre’s iconic sites without over-exerting yourself.
Why is Montmartre so famous?
Montmartre has been the inspiration to many famous artists, musicians, and filmmakers over the last two centuries… The likes of Renoir, Picasso, musicians like Edith Piaf and Dalida, all lived, created and performed in this iconic hilltop village. Today, Montmartre has retained much of its original charm, which first drew these famous artists to the area. Along with its iconic cabarets, such as the Moulin Rouge, and its stunning hilltop views overlooking Paris, this has all contributed to its continuing popularity today. It’s definitely a must-see when visiting Paris!
How long does it take to walk around Montmartre?
We recommend about 2 hours to explore the area at a good pace, while having time for photos and a coffee. If you would like to visit the inside of the Sacré-Coeur without climbing up the Dome, the visit is an additional 15 mins. Do note the line can be quite long to enter (anywhere between 10-30 mins). If you would like to visit the Musée de Montmartre, add 45 mins/1 hour to your journey in order to see the collections, visit Suzanne Valadon’s workshop and walk around the gardens.
Where to start walking around Montmartre?
We recommend either starting from Blanche metro station (line 2) in front of the Moulin Rouge and making your way up from there. If you’re willing to skip the view of the Moulin Rouge, then you can also start from Abbesses (line 12), right in the heart of the village. One of our favourites if you would like a quieter, more local entrance into Montmartre, is to start from Lamarck-Caulaincourt (line 12) — the hill is slightly less steep from here.
Is Montmartre easy to walk?
Montmartre is a cobblestoned hilltop village overlooking the city, with many steep, winding streets, so it is not the easiest area to manoeuvre. We recommend good, comfortable walking shoes in order to ascend the hill. Take the hill at your own pace and you’ll be able to enjoy what also makes Montmartre such a charming area.
What is the best street to visit in Montmartre?
Montmartre is such a beautiful neighborhood, it’s hard to choose just one! For family shops & bakeries, we recommend Montmartre’s longest street, Rue Lepic. Here you’ll find everything you need for a perfect French picnic, some souvenirs to bring home and spot some of Montmartre’s last windmills. And of course, we have to mention the iconic Rue de l’abreuvoir leading up to the Maison Rose, probably one of Paris’ most beautiful streets!
More information
The streets of Montmartre are nothing short of iconic. With both grand monuments and quieter alleyways, Montmartre is the perfect blend of peaceful reverie & bustling artist quarters! Our tour takes you through the charming streets of Paris’ hilltop village, and a side of the city that seems like a postcard or a forgotten film. Many artists found inspiration in Montmartre and its bohemian atmosphere during the Golden Era of Paris.
Walking along its quaint winding streets, the tour starts directly in the heart of Montmartre. We will take you past rue des Abreuvoirs, the most beautiful street in Paris, find out about the origins of Montmartre and see la Maison Rose, an iconic café celebrated for its picturesque pink facade and artistic history. We will also see some of its more famous monuments like Place du Tertre with its artists, Clos Montmartre Vineyard and of course, the Sacré Coeur Basilica overlooking the City! The tour finishes in front of the iconic Moulin Rouge where you can head back into Paris and discover the hip foodie neighbourhood of SOPI.