A Day In Montmartre: Discover Paris's Artist Neighbourhood
- Lee & Debbie
- Apr 24
- 7 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Paris Travel Guide: 1 Day In Montmartre Walking Tour
Planning a visit to Montmartre, Paris? No matter how many times we find ourselves wandering through its cobbled streets, Montmartre always manages to blow us away with its quiet beauty and charm. In this guide, we'll be sharing our favourite way to spend a day here, including must-see landmarks, hidden gems, romantic photo spots, delicious food and plenty of local charm along the way. Let’s explore!
Start Your Day in Montmartre with the Best View in Paris.
Begin your time in Montmartre with one of the best views in all of Paris. Make your way up to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, where you’re greeted with a stunning panoramic view of the city below. Take a moment to sit on the steps and soak in the view. For a more peaceful experience, arrive early to catch the soft morning glow and avoid the larger crowds.
If you're visiting Montmartre by metro, the Anvers (Line 2) and Abbesses (Line 12) stops are the closest, but be prepared for a steep climb up the steps to reach Sacré-Cœur. Alternatively, you can take the Funicular de Montmartre, a quick and easy ride that will take you to the top. The funicular costs €2.50 or you can use a metro ticket to pay for your journey.
Before heading up the steps, stop by the award-winning Le Grenier à Pain (one of our favourite boulangeries in Paris) or head to the nearby Carette (a great spot for a sweet treat and hot chocolate) to grab some freshly baked pastries and enjoy breakfast with a view.
Location: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre
How To Get Here: Metro Lines 2 & 12
Spot the "Sinking House" of Montmartre.
While sitting on the steps outside the Sacré-Cœur, take a moment to look to your left. You’ll spot a grassy bank and a classic Parisian house just beyond it. If you tilt your camera just right, the house will appear to be sinking. This clever optical illusion is easy to miss, but with the right angle, you can take a fun photo.
Location: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre
How To Get Here: You can see this optical illusion on the steps of Sacré-Cœur
Explore the Sacré-Cœur Basilica.
After soaking up the atmosphere on the steps, make your way inside the basilica to experience the calm of Sacré-Cœur’s interior. Inside, the basilica offers a quiet space to appreciate both its art and architecture. The soft light that streams through the stained glass windows and the impressive mosaic of Christ in Majesty creates a peaceful, contemplative atmosphere for all visitors, regardless of faith. Entry to the basilica is free, though donations are welcome. Those looking for a different perspective can ascend the 280 winding steps to the top of the dome (€8 per adult) and enjoy breathtaking 360 degree views over Paris.
Location: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre
See the Artists Work at Place du Tertre.
Just a stone's throw away from Sacré-Cœur is the vibrant Place du Tertre, a meeting place that has been popular with artists since the early 20th century. The square is bordered with quaint shops, cafés, restaurants and art galleries. Spend some time walking among the artists, stop for a portrait or pick up a couple of souvenirs.
Also, make sure to explore the side streets leading away from the square. These quieter paths are often less crowded and reveal a quieter and more authentic side of Montmartre.
Location: Place du Tertre
How To Get Here: 5 minute walk from Sacré-Cœur
Take Romantic Photos at Le Mur des Je T'aime (The "I Love You" Wall)
From there, take the short walk to Le Mur des Je T’aime tucked away in the small Square Jehan Rictus garden. This dark blue tiled wall, created by artist Frédéric Baron and calligrapher Claire Kito, features “I love you” written in hundreds of languages, making it the perfect romantic photo spot. The wall is made up of over 600 lava tiles and you’ll notice red marks running through it, representing fragments of a broken heart, symbolising that love is universal but imperfect.
The park can get crowded, especially on sunny days and weekends (as you’ll see in the photo below) but it’s still a lovely place to linger, you may just have to wait your turn for an up close photo. Grab a seat on one of the benches, rest your feet and enjoy some people watching.
Location: Square Jehan Rictus, Place des Abbesses
How To Get Here: 5 minute walk (down hill) from Place du Tertre. Behind the entrance to Abbesses Station, you’ll find a little gate leading into the park
Time for Some Lunch.
After a morning exploring, it's time for lunch. Montmartre has lots of great spots to eat, all within a short walk of the "I Love You" Wall. For a quick, budget friendly lunch, head to our favourite spot, Le Grenier à Pain, an award-winning boulangerie located on Rue des Abbesses. This spot is a favourite with both locals and in the know tourists due to its high quality breads, pastries, sandwiches and delicious sweet treats.
We have sampled a number of items here over the years but we keep coming back to the baguettes - they're delicious! Tip: Be sure to check the opening hours before you go, as Le Grenier à Pain isn’t open every day.
Location: 38 Rue des Abbesses
How To Get Here: 2 minute walk from The "I Love You" Wall
Grab a Sweet Treat from Paris's Oldest Chocolate Shop.
Chocolate lovers shouldn’t miss a visit to À la Mère de Famille, the oldest chocolatier in Paris, serving sweet treats since 1761. Though these luxurious chocolates can be on the pricier side, their quality is truly unmatched. It’s also a wonderful spot to pick up beautifully packaged gifts for friends and family. The Montmartre location on Rue Lepic also offers chocolate éclairs, and we can confidently say they're some of the best we’ve ever tasted!
Location: 23 Rue Lepic
How To Get Here: 3 minute walk from Le Grenier à Pain
Walk in the Footsteps of Famous Artists
Montmartre has long been a haven for artists, attracting famous names such as Picasso, Van Gogh and Renoir. As you explore, be sure to check out these art spots:
54 Rue Lepic: The former home of Vincent van Gogh, where he lived with his brother from 1886 to 1888. A small plaque marks this spot.
Place Émile Goudeau: A short walk from there is the unassuming Bateau-Lavoir, where Picasso painted his groundbreaking Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. His first studio can also be found around the corner at 49 Rue Gabrielle. A small plaque also marks this location.
Moulin de la Galette: Keep walking and you'll spot the windmill featured in Renoir’s famous painting Bal du moulin de la Galette, which is on display at the Musée d'Orsay.
There are many more points of interest for art lovers in Montmartre. Let us know if you'd like us to write more on these spots and about Montmartre's art history.
The Prettiest Street in Montmartre.
Take a stroll to Rue de l’Abreuvoir, one of the most charming streets in Montmartre. On your walk, keep an eye out for the Le Passe-Muraille statue at Place Marcel Aymé - a fun tribute to the French writer’s short story about a man who walks through walls. From there, turn into Rue Girardon, where you'll find a statue of the French singer Dalida. Turn around and you'll be greeted with the pretty view of Rue de l’Abreuvoir. With its cobblestone path, ivy covered buildings and the much photographed pink café La Maison Rose. Beyond the café you’ll see the white domes of Sacré-Cœur peeking above the rooftops - one of the prettiest views in Paris.
Emily in Paris fans might recognise this street and La Maison Rose from season 1, episode 5 of the hit series.
Enjoy a Wine Tasting Experience at Montmartre’s Hidden Vineyard.
Did you know that Montmartre is home to one of Paris's last working vineyards? Tucked behind the Musée de Montmartre, the Clos Montmartre vineyard is a true hidden gem. Though Paris isn’t known for winemaking today, this small plot has roots that reach back to Roman times. The vineyard was revived in 1933 by local residents to protect the area from developers and now produces around 1,700 bottles each year.
At the time of writing (April 2025), the vineyard is open to the public on Saturday afternoons for exclusive guided tours, followed by a tasting of Clos Montmartre wine. Tickets cost €39 per person and include the vineyard tour, wine tasting, an engraved glass and entry to the Montmartre Museum. It’s a limited capacity experience, so be sure to book in advance here.
If wine tasting is not for you, or you are visiting when the vineyard is closed, you can still get a glimpse of it through the wire fencing along Rue des Saules.
The vineyard was closed to the public until recently, so we are yet to try this experience of ourselves, but we don't gate keep here! If you’ve had the chance to try this experience, we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Location: Rue des Saules
How To Get Here: 4 minute walk from La Maison Rose
Enjoy a Classic French Dinner at Le Poulbot.
To wrap up your time here in Montmartre, enjoy a delicious dinner at Le Poulbot. This charming French bistro is a favourite with both locals and tourists who have done their research, offering classic French dishes done right and without the steep price tag. The onion soup and duck confit are standout choices, both full of flavour and carefully prepared. Since the bistro is quite small, be sure to reserve a table in advance, especially during busy hours.
Location: 3 Rue Poulbot
How To Get Here: 5 minute walk from Clos Montmartre
End the Day with a Sunset.
As the day winds down, we'll end the day where we started - on the steps of Sacré-Cœur. Watch the sunset over Paris as the light shifts from golden hour to the sparkling city lights below. It’s the perfect way to relax and take in the beauty of Montmartre.
Location: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre
How To Get Here: 4 minute walk from Le Poulbot
We hope you have enjoyed our 1 day in Montmartre itinerary. As you can see, there is plenty to see and do in this historic artist's neighbourhood. From watching local artists at work in the bustling Place du Tertre to discovering hidden gems and taking in the breathtaking views of Paris from the steps of Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Montmartre invites you to slow down and get lost for a while.
Let us know if you think we should add anything to this itinerary in the comments below. And be sure to check out our other Paris blog posts for more travel tips and recommendations. Happy exploring!
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