In short
Allow half a day for the essentials of Montmartre (the Sacré-Cœur, Place du Tertre, Rue de l’Abreuvoir) and a full day to add the Montmartre Museum, the vineyard, Avenue Junot and an evening at the Lapin Agile. Arrive before 9am to enjoy the hill without the crowds. Entry to the basilica is free; the museum costs €16 during exhibitions.
Contents
Montmartre is still one of the most endearing neighbourhoods in Paris: cobbled lanes, artists’ studios, a vineyard in the middle of the city and views over the whole of Paris. Here is a one-day (or half-day) Montmartre itinerary, with the places worth the detour and up-to-date practical information.
With Guidly, every façade on the hill tells you its story: the app finds the places around you and creates an audio guide based on your interests, in your language, and you can ask it questions as you go.
How long do you need for Montmartre?
- 2 to 3 hours: the Sacré-Cœur, Place du Tertre, Rue de l’Abreuvoir and the Maison Rose. The minimum to get a feel for the neighbourhood.
- Half a day: add the Montmartre Museum and its Renoir gardens, the Clos Montmartre vineyard and Avenue Junot.
- A full day: walk down to Abbesses and the Wall of Love, stroll along Rue des Martyrs, then stay for sunset and an evening at the Lapin Agile.
A one-day Montmartre itinerary
Morning: the hill before the crowds
- 8:30am – the Sacré-Cœur. Go up by funicular or by the steps of Rue Foyatier. The forecourt offers one of the best views over Paris, and at this hour it is almost empty. Entry to the basilica is free; access to the dome is paid.
- 9:15am – Place du Tertre. The painters set up their easels. Have a coffee on a terrace before the tour groups arrive.
- 9:45am – Rue de l’Abreuvoir and the Maison Rose. The pink house painted by Utrillo is one of the most photographed images of Paris. Continue to Place Dalida.
Book the “Montmartre must-see” walking tour with a local guide
Late morning: museum, gardens and vineyard
- 10:30am – the Montmartre Museum and Renoir gardens. Set in the oldest house on the hill, where Renoir, Suzanne Valadon and Maurice Utrillo lived. Open daily from 10am to 7pm. Full price: €16 during exhibitions, €14 between exhibitions, free for under-10s.
- 12pm – the Clos Montmartre. The last vineyard in Paris, planted in 1933, rarely opens to visitors but can be seen clearly from Rue des Saules. Right opposite is the Lapin Agile cabaret.
Explore Montmartre with the “Art Lovers” tour (expert guide)
Lunch
Avoid the tourist menus on Place du Tertre. Head down to Rue Lepic and Rue des Abbesses instead, where bakeries, cheese shops and neighbourhood bistros make for a simple lunch. On a sunny day, picnic in Square Louise-Michel, at the foot of the Sacré-Cœur.
Afternoon: the artists’ Montmartre
- 2pm – Avenue Junot and Villa Léandre. Artists’ houses, studios and a little English-style cul-de-sac: Montmartre at its quietest.
- 3pm – the Moulin de la Galette. One of the last two windmills on the hill, immortalised by Renoir.
- 3:45pm – Place des Abbesses. Admire one of the rare Hector Guimard metro entrances still topped by its glass canopy, then the Wall of Love in Square Jehan-Rictus: “I love you” written in more than 250 languages.
- 4:30pm – Rue des Martyrs. Walk down towards South Pigalle for its shops and cafés.
Evening
- Sunset on the steps of the Sacré-Cœur, or from a terrace with a view (book ahead).
- Dinner in a historic bistro such as La Mascotte, on Rue des Abbesses.
- A night of songs at the Lapin Agile, the cabaret once frequented by Picasso and Modigliani. Booking recommended.
Macaron-making workshop in Montmartre (2 hours, small group)
Exploring Montmartre with Guidly
- Choose your interests (art, history, architecture…), the tone and the level of detail.
- Let the app locate you: it shows you every place around you, from the must-sees to the hidden gems, drawn from our database of 9 million points of interest.
- Listen to an audio guide created for you at every stop: the story of the Bateau-Lavoir, Renoir’s muses, the cabarets of the Belle Époque.
- Ask your questions by text or by voice: “Where can we picnic with kids?”, “Why is the Sacré-Cœur so white?”.
- With kids, switch on kids mode (ages 3–8).
Practical tips
- Getting there: Anvers metro (line 2) for the bottom of the hill and the funicular, Abbesses (line 12) to arrive right in the lanes.
- Funicular: a Metro-Train-RER ticket (€2.55) or a Navigo pass.
- Budget: around €16 for the museum and €15–25 for a simple lunch, plus a guided tour or show if you wish.
- Safety: pickpockets are common around the Sacré-Cœur and on the steps. Beware of “friendship bracelet” sellers at the foot of the hill.
- Photos: Rue de l’Abreuvoir at sunrise, the steps of Rue du Calvaire, the view from the Sacré-Cœur forecourt at sunset.
- Shoes: wear comfortable shoes; the hill means cobbles and lots of steps.
More Paris: Paris in 3 days • the best neighbourhoods in Paris.
FAQ
How long does it take to visit Montmartre?
Half a day is enough for the essentials: the Sacré-Cœur, Place du Tertre, Rue de l’Abreuvoir and the Maison Rose. Allow a full day to add the Montmartre Museum, Avenue Junot, Abbesses and an evening on the hill.
When is the best time to visit Montmartre?
Early in the morning, before 10am, or late afternoon for sunset. On weekdays the neighbourhood is much quieter than at weekends.
Is the Sacré-Cœur free to visit?
Yes, entry to the basilica is free. Only the dome, with its 360° view over Paris, is paid.
How do you get up to the Sacré-Cœur without the stairs?
Take the Montmartre funicular from Place Suzanne-Valadon: a Metro-Train-RER ticket or a Navigo pass is all you need.
Do you need to book the Moulin Rouge in advance?
Yes, especially in high season and at weekends: book several weeks ahead.
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