Montmartre my favorite site in Paris - Guide to visiting on foot

Montmartre and its famous Butte Montmartre is a charming area located in the north of Paris (18th arrondissement). Discover in this article why I love this neighborhood so much and how to explore Montmartre on foot.

Why do I love Montmartre so much?

What is it that I really like about this Parisian neighborhood ? I don't really know, but I feel a special atmosphere there, a little nostalgic, romantic and retro, which I love!

In fact, in Montmartre, you get the impression of being in the Paris of postcards, the one that appeals so much to Americans and other tourists who come to visit France.

Of course, the famous Sacré-Coeur Basilica, located at the top of the hill, is one of the most beautiful monuments in Paris . Especially since it offers a magnificent view of the capital.

In Montmartre, I like to get lost in its little streets to feel its cultural and artistic life but above all its gentle way of life!

Perhaps it's related to my passion for painting? But the famous Place du Tertre is definitely one of my favorite places in Paris . I love the crowds thronging around the caricaturists. I enjoy admiring the portraits of tourists. It's funny and entertaining.

I also enjoyed visiting the Espace Dali (a beautiful little-known collection of my favorite surrealist artist).

Probably because it's picturesque and completely different from the rest of Paris, a bit of an outlier. Montmartre has always attracted bohemians and artists. Picasso , Dali, Toulouse-Lautrec, and other great painters lived in Montmartre.

View from Montmartre in Paris on the Sacre Coeur

What to see in Montmartre?

La Place du tertre (see video below);
Le Sacré Coeur ;
Van Gogh's apartment http://www.vangoghroute.com/france/paris/rue-lepic/
" The Wall of I love you " http://www.lesjetaime.com/
The Museum of Montmartre http://museedemontmartre.fr/en/le-musee/
Picasso's workshop (not to be confused with the Picasso Museum): http://www.paristoric.com/index.php/art-et-culture/art/1386-l-atelier-de-picasso-a-montmartre
Dali Paris http://www.daliparis.com/en

To give you an idea, take a look at the video:

What to do in Montmartre?

Take the funicular to go up to the top of the hill;
Or walk about 10 minutes to Anvers station and from there, walk up the small rue Steinkerque and its souvenir shops to the Place Saint-Pierre;
Or take a ride with the Montmartre train (see below);
Go to Place du tertre to admire the painters and designers ready to sketch your portrait;
Don't forget to visit the museums if you have enough time;
Take a good lunch break in a nice little typical restaurant;
Book an evening show at the cabaret on Moulin Rouge !

And of course visit the Montmartre district with its typical streets and emblematic sites (see my tour below):

Google Maps route to visit Montmartre on foot

Here is the map with the route that you can follow on foot to do my tourist circuit of Montmartre:

My walking tour to visit Montmartre

Here is my little walking tour which allows you to see the most beautiful sites of Montmartre :

Located 50 meters from the Abbesses metro station , pass by the Wall of Love :

and then head to Place du Tertre to admire the painters of Montmartre.

Place du Tertre Montmartre stopover on my walking tour of Paris

From Place du Tertre , take Rue Norvins then Rue du Mont Cenis . Turn onto Rue du Chevalier de la Barre to reach the Sacré-Cœur Basilica . It can be reached by funicular or by climbing the grand staircase leading to the Basilica.

How to go to Montmartre?

Here is the link to discover your public transport route : https://www.ratp.fr/itineraires

Subway stations

Line 2: Antwerp; Pigalle; White
Line 4: Red Castle
Line 12: Pigalle; Abbesses; Lamarck-Caulaincourt; Jules Joffrin
Line 13: Place de Clichy

The Montmartre funicular

If you don't want to climb the 222 steps to reach the top of Montmartre Hill , with a simple metro ticket you can take the funicular.

Station at the bottom: Rue Tardieu - Station at the top: Rue Saint Eleuthère.

The tourist train of Montmartre

You can also take the tourist train from Place Blanche (in front of the Moulin Rouge). You'll arrive at Place du Tertre without walking or climbing…

Cheap restaurants in Montmartre

You won't find many restaurant addresses below because when I like a restaurant (and it's within my price range), I always come back to the same one.

Restaurant Le Poulbot

Located in the heart of Montmartre , it's right next to the two hotels I know (see below). Its address is: 3 Rue Poulbot, Montmartre, 750018 Paris.

In this restaurant, I have never eaten the same menu. In fact, it is always renewed according to the seasons and the products of the market. In addition, the POULBOT offers a wide selection of craft beers and a carefully selected wine list. In this restaurant, you can enjoy very good French specialties for around 30 Euros.

Le Moulin de la galette restaurant

It's located very close to my favorite hotel, Maison Lepic Montmartre (on the same street). Address: 83 Rue Lepic, 75018 Paris. I've only eaten there once, but I loved the setting with its beautiful windmill, the traditional atmosphere, and the typically French menu.

Restaurant le moulin de la Galette in Montmartre Paris

Cheap hotel in Montmartre – Which one to choose?

Hotel Ibis for its location and price

What did I like about the Ibis?

Its location is perfect for visiting Montmartre (a 15-minute walk from the Sacré-Coeur Basilica) but also if you are planning a dinner at Le Moulin Rouge cabaret (just 300m). Perfect for visiting all of Paris as the metro is only a 5 minute walk away. In addition, many restaurants and cafes are nearby.
This hotel is not expensive! One of the best value for money.
It is a good, clean and comfortable hotel.

What I didn't like about the Ibis?

Like most hotels in Paris, the rooms are small.

See this hotel on Booking

Maison Lepic for its exceptional setting