Montmartre
18th Arr.
A hilltop village inside Paris, with the best views in the city.
- Artistic
- Romantic
- Scenic
AtmosphereRomantic and artistic, though it varies block to block
Price level€€€
WalkabilityCharming but genuinely steep in places
TransportMetro Abbesses, Lamarck-Caulaincourt, Anvers
Local highlights
What makes it worth staying here
- 01Sacré-Cœur and the view over the rooftops at sunset
- 02The vineyard and stairways on the quiet northern slope
- 03Musée de Montmartre and its gardens
- 04Rue des Abbesses for bakeries and neighborhood cafés
- 05Place Dalida and the lanes around it, early in the day
Who it suits
Best for
- ◆Couples
- ◆Photographers
- ◆Views
- ◆Slow mornings
Worth knowing
Skip if...
- ·Skip if you would rather not climb hills every day.
- ·Skip if you are traveling with a stroller or heavy bags.
- ·Skip if crowded viewpoints put you off.
What works
Strengths
- +One of the most atmospheric neighborhoods in the city
- +Real village-feel streets north of the tourist core
- +Panoramic views built into daily life
Fair warning
Tradeoffs
- −The area right around Sacré-Cœur and Place du Tertre is intensely touristy
- −Steep hills every day, hard with luggage or a stroller
- −Metro coverage on the hill itself is limited
Food scene
Classic French bistros, a growing wave of neo-bistros, and better cafés than the tourist blocks suggest.
Nightlife
Cabarets, wine bars and quiet corner spots. Bigger nights are downhill in Pigalle.
Family friendliness
Older kids handle it well; strollers struggle with the stairs.
Safety notes
Safe overall; some tourist-heavy blocks attract pickpockets
Keep exploring
