Montmartre
Located on a hill, the district of Montmartre offers fabulous views of Paris and is also home to one of its most famous landmarks
Montmartre is actually both a hill as well as a district. The district gets its name from the hill which overlooks it and provides visitors with some fabulous views of Paris. Situated on the right bank of the River Seine, Montmartre is well known for a number of famous landmarks and monuments. One could easily spend several days exploring the picturesque cobblestone streets lined with quaint shops, bistros, and bars that are established throughout the area.
One of the famous landmarks and monuments that you will find in Montmartre is the Basilica of Sacré Coeur. It is found right at the top of the hill and overlooks the entire district. The dome is special because it is constructed of a special rock that releases a white substance that keeps the dome white at all times. It does not matter how much pollution the dome is exposed to, it remains as white as the day it was built.
The hill itself is named for a martyred saint. The name Montmartre is based on the term "mountain of the martyr". The martyr that is being referred to is Saint Denis, the Bishop of Paris until his death around 250 AD, and is now the patron saint of France. It is also claimed that the hill was a holy place for the ancient druids, there is no archaeological evidence to back up this claim though.
There is also the Saint Pierre de Montmartre, a much older church which is often forgotten in the wonder at the Basilica. This church claims to be where the Jesuit order was founded.
The area of Montmartre also played host to a number of artists including some really great names such as Salvador Dali, Amedeo Madigliani, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh.
Montmartre has not always been such a peaceful place. When the Russians over ran the city in 1814, they used the elevation of the hill to their advantage and placed a number of cannons there with which they proceeded to bombard the city.
The area was also a popular drinking area for a number of reasons. Not only was the area considered to be outside the city limits, but the nuns also made wine. It is in Montmartre that the film and Broadway musical, Moulin Rouge, was said to take place.
As you can see, there are bits of history here that will interest every person. This is what makes Montmartre such a popular destination and tourist attraction.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee:Address: Montmartre, 75018 Paris, France
Montmartre Reviews
Rated out of 5
An Unforgettable Montmartre Experience with the Amazing Silvia!
My partner and I had the absolute best time on our walking tour of Montmartre, and it was all thanks to our incredible local guide, Silvia, from GetYourGuide. She was absolutely fantastic!
Montmartre is a beautiful and historic neighborhood, but Silvia's passion and deep knowledge brought its streets to life. She was a wonderful storyteller, sharing fascinating anecdotes about the artists and history that we would have never discovered on our own. She led us through charming hidden courtyards and down secret alleyways, showing us the true soul of the neighborhood beyond the usual tourist spots.
Silvia was warm, engaging, and funny, and she made sure everyone in the group felt included. If you are considering a tour of Montmartre, I cannot recommend this one enough. And if you are lucky enough to have Silvia as your guide, you are in for an absolutely memorable experience! Five stars!
Richard Lowe - a week ago
The only thing still worth visiting in this place, is the view. Otherwise it has lost its charm. It is packed by crwods and crowds of tourists. Better avoid.
Noam Livay - a week ago
Montmartre has a magic all its own. It feels like a little world tucked just outside of Paris — even though it’s right in the heart of it. The vibe is effortlessly cool, with that artsy, bohemian energy that makes you feel like the cool kids live here, create here, and hang out in the cafés here.
There’s art everywhere — in the streets, on the walls, in the air. It’s creative and a little rustic, full of history and charm. Even though it was swarming with tourists, it didn’t feel like a tourist trap. It felt special. Authentic. Like you’re part of something, even just for a moment.
I found the best souvenirs here — unique, personal, not the mass-produced kind — and the people in the shops were honestly some of the friendliest I encountered in Paris. Genuinely charming and warm in a way that surprised me.
The parks and gardens add to the magic, and the views from the hill? Unreal. If I come back to Paris (and I will), this is definitely the neighborhood I’d want to stay in. Montmartre is 100% my vibe.
Kerry Bell - 2 months ago
We went at night the cathedral is probably more beautiful if you go on daylight ,but the vibe of night was absolutely amazing. There was music ,people gathering and singing, while you have a fascinating view of Paris.
Mahtab Kashi - a month ago
Here you have a beautiful view of Paris and the basilica. It can get pretty crowded and there are a lot of salesmen here just so you are aware.
Tadeusz Godlewski - a month ago
Directions
| Metro / RER Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| M2 | Anvers or Place de Clichy (Cemetery) | 0 minutes (4 to the cemetery) |
| M12 | Abbesses | 0 minutes |
How to get to Montmartre by Metro / RER
By Metro: Exit at either Anvers Station on the M2 Line or Abbesses Station on the M12 Line. To get to the Funicular that goes up to the base of the Basilica go to Abbesses Station on the M12 line; exit to the left and follow Rue Yvonne le Tac east watching for the sign to the Funicular (5 minutes) or you can take the stairs (11 minutes). From Anvers Station on the M2 line follow the crowds heading north past all the little shops on Rue de Steinkerque and head up the stairs (9 minutes) or go left at Place St. Pierre and look for the sign to the Funicular (4 minutes).
For the Montmartre Cemetery exit the M2 line at Place de Clichy and head east from the traffic circle along Blvd. de Clichy. Look for the stairs and sign for the cemetery on the right side just before the bridge that crosses over the cemetery.
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Photo Gallery
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The Montmartre Funicular can save you from climbing a lot of stairs to the top of the hill in front of Sacre Coeur cc licensed photo by L.Burchfield -
Photo Credit: uphillblok - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Xjs-Khaos - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Miguel Discart & Kiri Karma - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Miguel Discart & Kiri Karma - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Miguel Discart & Kiri Karma - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Miguel Discart & Kiri Karma - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Miguel Discart & Kiri Karma - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Miguel Discart & Kiri Karma - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Miguel Discart & Kiri Karma - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Miguel Discart & Kiri Karma - cc license via Flickr
