How to Spend a Day in Montmartre – Paris’s Cutest Neighborhood

When I think of Paris I think of big, grand churches, incredible museums, and quaint streets lined with boulangeries and cafes.  Montmartre has all of this and more.  Located in the west of Paris in the 18th arrondissement, Montmartre sits up on a hill (or La Butte) overlooking the city.  It’s where many famous artists resided like Van Gogh, Picasso, and Dalí.  It’s also home to one of my favorite Parisian sites, the Sacré-Cœur and even has a bit of a nightlife scene.  It’s easy to spend a day in Montmartre and if you’re planning to visit Paris, I highly encourage it.

 

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1 Day Montmartre Itinerary

While I am completely charmed by Montmartre, the ins and outs of the streets, the history of the artists who once inhabited the apartments, and the cozy cafes that invite you in, I don’t think that you need to spend more than a day exploring this part of Paris.  Because Montmartre is in the north of Paris, it’s a bit further from other main attractions (like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower) so I recommend basing yourself more in the middle of Paris (in the Le Marais district) and visiting Montmartre for the day.

However, with that being said, Montmartre is one of my very favorite areas of Paris and if you’re looking for something more off the beaten path and with more affordable hotel options, Montmartre is ideal.  Check out this list of the best hotels in Montmartre!

 

SEE THE STREET ART OF MONTMARTRE WITH A LOCAL ARTIST.  BOOK HERE!

 

Spending the Morning in Montmartre

One of the most famous attractions in Paris is the Sacré-Cœur Basilica.  The Sacré-Cœur is a Roman-Catholic church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and it sits on the highest point in Paris.  The Basilica is free to enter and according to locals the Basilica is open 24/7 and you’re even allowed to spend the night as long as you commit to praying for one hour.  (Please note, the website claims the church to be open from 6:30am to 10:30pm so make sure to respect what time you’re visiting).  Because this is quite a big tourist spot, pick-pocketing is rampant so make sure to keep your belongings close by and politely ignore anyone who is trying to come up and speak with you.  To avoid crowds and pickpocketers I highly recommend arriving early in the morning, around 8am, and you shouldn’t have too much trouble with this.

You can also access the dome after 10:30am (outside and to the left of the Basilica) and climb 300 steps to the top for views over Paris.

For the record – if there’s a long line at the Sacré-Cœur I personally don’t think it’s worth it to wait in line to go inside.  It’s only worth it to enter if there isn’t a line outside.  You can read about more overrated Paris activities here.

Once you’ve climbed the hill to the Sacré-Cœur and visited inside, take the back streets down the hill to one of the best boulangeries in Paris – Le Grenier a Pain Abbesses.  Grab some pastries and croissants and continue to walk the streets until you find a cute cafe to sit down and have an espresso.  (The beauty of Paris after all, is found sitting in outdoor cafes and people watching as the hours slip by).

 

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Spending the Afternoon in Montmartre

There are two ways to spend your afternoon in Montmartre, guided or unguided.  I chose the free walking tour by GuruWalk, “From Moulin Rouge to Sacré-Cœur” and highly recommend it.  However, if you’d rather see Montmartre self-guided below you’ll find my favorite parts of the neighborhood that I believe are “must-sees”.

• Visit the two (real) windmills that are left standing (in the 17th-century Montmartre used to be powered by windmills, but they started disappearing around the 19th-century)
• Have a picnic in Square Marcel Bleustein Blanchet with a pond, terraced garden, and views of the back of the Sacré-Cœur
• Visit the prettiest street in Paris – Rue de L’Abreuvoir
• Stop for photos at La Maison Rose, Le Consulat, and Au Lapin Agile
• Stop by the Museum of Montmartre to learn about the history of the neighborhood (this is one of my favorite hidden gems in all of Paris)
• See the Montmartre vineyards – Vignes du Clos Montmartre

Once you’re done with your tour, stop for lunch at Formaticus – a French cheese bar.  (Technically Formaticus is in the 17th arrondissement and not the 18th, but it’s close-by and worth the stop if you want to try French cheese).

You could also eat lunch at Breizh Cafe (near Formaticus) and end with a cheese plate at Formaticus.

 

Spending the Evening in Montmartre

In 1881 cabaret was brought to life by Rodolphe Salis right in Paris’s Montmartre district.  Since then, Montmartre is significantly known for being the birthplace of cabaret around the world thanks to the inauguration of Moulin Rouge in 1889, the most famous cabaret show in the world.

Today, you can still see cabaret in Montmartre whether you’re seeing it at the world famous Moulin Rouge or the less famous cabaret at Au Lapin Agile.  In both cabaret shows you can opt for basic tickets, tickets with champagne, or a full on champagne dinner.  (Make sure to check out this post for a full guide to cabaret in Paris).

If you don’t plan to eat at the cabaret show, instead I recommend booking reservations at L’Annexe, a traditional French restaurant in the heart of Montmartre.

 

EXPLORE MONTMARTRE WITH A LOCAL.  BOOK A TOUR HERE!

 

Other Things to Know About Montmartre

 

GETTING TO/GETTING AROUND

You can get to Montmartre a variety of ways – taxi, Uber, walk, or you can take the metro.  The main metro station in Montmartre is the Abbesses station located in Place des Abbesses and leading right to the heart of Montmartre.

Once you’re in Montmartre, it’s very easy to get around on foot, but it’s built on a hill so some areas you go to you’ll be walking uphill.  There are also a few cobblestone streets so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.  If you don’t want to walk, you can always hail a taxi or request an Uber.

 

HOTELS IN MONTMARTRE

I live in Montmartre and while  it’s further away from other main attractions in Paris, if you’re looking to be a bit off the beaten path and for more of a quiet scene, then Montmartre is for you!  There are plenty of hotels in the neighborhood, one of my favorites is Hotel des Arts Montmartre.

 

For more hotels in Montmartre, don’t miss…

• 12 of the Best Hotels in Montmartre, Paris

 

BOOK YOUR STAY IN MONTMARTRE HERE!

 

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It’s easy to spend a day in Montmartre, and I highly recommend it.  One of Paris’s most chic and fascinating neighborhoods, it would be a shame to miss it when you’re in the city.

 

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For more information on things to see and do in Paris, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinfrance” or under my highlights for “France 1″, “France 2”, & “France 3”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “France” highlight

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