Let me help you find the best thing to do in Montmartre. I have visited France many times and love this area so I’m perfectly positioned to be your guide.
One of my favorite activities in Montmartre is having a coffee at the historically acclaimed Le Consulat. I also love visiting the vibrant modernistic Pigalle basketball court and searching for hidden windmills. However, there is plenty more to see.
The Montmartre neighborhood is beautiful. It’s a little oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I think it’s one of the most chromatin areas in the region.
So get comfy and let me walk you through what I feel are the best activities in Montmartre.
15 Best Things To Do In Montmartre On Your First Trip
Visit Le Consulat
When thinking about what to do in Montmartre my advice for you is to start with a coffee at Le Consulat. This cafe sums up the Montmartre atmosphere perfectly.
This cute artistic cafe just feels so very ‘French’ and is the perfect place for people-watching. Serving simple delicious French dishes is a hit whenever you visit.
It is also one of the places to visit near Sacre Coeur. It is a perfect place to sit for a while and plan how you are going to go about exploring Montmartre.
Make sure you have your camera ready as Le Consulat has all the vintage vibes you could wish for. It is open from breakfast to late-night dinners. The best time I feel to visit is early mornings during weekdays, you will find it not so busy then.
Ride The Montmartre Funicular
If you are looking for things to do with kids in Montmartre I recommend a ride on the Funicular. But what is a Funicular?
It is simply an inclined transport system that takes you from the bottom of the hill up to the Sacré Cœur in Montmartre. It’s an easier way of getting up the 270 steps.
Think of it like an outdoor elevator going up a hill. It also gives you a great view of suburban Paris depending on how many leaves are on the trees.
It does cost and my advice is to ride up and walk the steps down. If you can sunset is a lovely time to travel. Oh and hang on to your ticket even if it has been scanned. I’ve seen people having trouble at the exit gate.
This is one of the attractions in Montmartre. It’s an experience you can’t get elsewhere. it also provides the best view in Montmartre.
Visit The Colorful Pigalle Basketball Court
Yes, I know saying that one of the best places to visit in Montmartre is the basketball court is a little strange but believe me, this isn’t just any basketball pitch.
The Pigalle Basketball Court is the most modernistic and beautiful basketball court I have ever laid my eyes on. A mix of golden yellow, Prussian blue, and hibiscus purple it’s a very stunning sight with various gradients and abstract shapes. It’s a basketball pitch like none you’ve ever seen.
The court was created by Nike, Pigalle, and Ill Studio and is an example of mixing art and movement.
If you have children they will love this and the best of it it is one of the free things to do in Montmartre.
See A Show At Moulin Rouge
What Montmartre is perhaps most famous for is the Moulin Rouge so while here if you can you must see a show. This is one of the best things to do for adults in Montmartre.
Shows are every night at 9 pm and 11 pm and I can’t recommend the show enough. I don’t want to spoil it but you will come out in awe.
The sets are magnificent. The costumes were gorgeous and the atmosphere was spectacular. There are various ticketing options none of which are cheap but if you can stretch to the dinner and show I would recommend it as it’s such a special event.
It does get full so book in advance. If you are on a budget the 11 pm shows tend to be cheaper.
They do have a dress code so make sure you take a look at that but if I were you I’d just go all out glam.
This is an experience that I believe shouldn’t be missed. Children from 6 can attend.
Marvel At Sacre-Coeur
Sacré-Coeur is a must-see in Montmartre in my opinion. The basilica is one of the most iconic structures in Montmartre and has been featured in many films! Look closely in Amelie and Midnight in Paris, you will notice glimpses of Sacré-Coeur standing in all its architectural glory.
The building itself is incredible and seems to tower above the landscape. The inside is so beautiful I can’t put it into words. You will need a camera but please be respectful this is still a working church where people worship.
There is a free audio guide which I highly recommend you download. It tells you all about the history and architecture.
Oh and make sure to peek out one of the windows, the views of the city are amazing.
See The Montmarte Vineyards
I don’t know about you but I love visiting vineyards. I’m not even a wine drinker but there is something about them I just find so comforting. And where better to do that than France?
In the middle of the city is the last vineyard in Paris, Le Clos Montmartre. Tucked away in a side street behind the Sacré-Coeur, is this hidden gem.
Vines have grown in Montmartre since at least 944 and in fact, this area was once covered in vineyards. However, the current vineyard was created by the City of Paris in 1933.
Sadly when I went the vineyard was closed but you can view it from the outside.
If you are here in October though it is open during the 5-Day Harvest Festival. During the five days, grapes from the vineyard are harvested, taken to a cellar, then pressed and bottled. You can buy wine produced from the grapes in the vineyard, and all proceeds go to charity.
If you can get to see the vineyard please do as it’s one of the best things to do for couples in Montmartre.
Eat At La Maison Rose
When I visited Montemarte this was on top of my to-do list and it was worth it. You will have seen pictures of La Maison Rose everywhere, when I tell you it’s a beautiful cafe that is pink and green you will know what I mean.
It is a wonderful site and if you want pictures of it please go before it opens as it is a business serving customers.
This cafe gained quite a reputation with the artists and Pablo Picasso, in particular, was a regular at the restaurant as he was friends with the owner Laure Germaine.
When you visit here you will see why it has a certain charm about it that I have never found elsewhere.
If you do wnat to eat here reserve a seat online before your visit this lace is always fully booked. It is one of those places you will want to experience.
Catch The ‘Sinking House Of Montmartre’
You will have seen what appears to be sinking house photos all over the internet. Of course, the house isn’t sinking and it’s just an optical illusion but it’s fun to see it.
The house is located near the top-right steps of the Sacré-Coeur stairs. You can see it in its upright position if you walk on the grassy bank. All you then do is turn your camera so the grass bank is parallel to the horizon and viola the house looks like it’s sinking.
Bonus points if you if you go at sunset as it looks extra special.
It’s one the kids will love and they could spend ages trying to get themselves positioned right so they look like they are leaning against it. Hours of fun right there, you can thank me later.
One of the most fun places in Montmartre to visit, especially if you looking to waste some time.
Explore Place Dalida
Montemrtre can get busy and a little exhausting so if like me you need to get away from the crowds head to Place Dalida.
Situated near the Clos de Montmartre it’s a pretty secluded square on the outskirts of the area. It’s a little bit of vintage Paris with cobbled streets and misshapen buildings.
The square was named after music icon Dalida, as her Parisian home was located there. A bronze bust marks this fact and she is buried in the nearby cemetery of Montmartre.
The square is at the intersection of two delightful roads Rue Giradon and the Rue de l’Abreuvoir both worth strolling down.
This is one of the things to see in Montmartre and will give you a glimpse into a time gone by.
Go Windmill Hunting
Something I found fascinating is that Montmartre used to be populated with windmills. They were used to grind flour and press grapes.
Alas most of them have done now but a few remain so look out for them on your travels. It’s a fun scavenger hunt you can do with the children.
The most famous windmill is Le Moulin de la Galette, though it is two windmills: Le Moulin Radet and Le Moulin de Blute-Fin. It is named Galette as the windmills produced a type of brown cake called galette that was sold with wine on the premises.
Despite the windmill’s original function, business only peaked when it was turned into a dance hall (guinguette) by the miller’s son. It can even be seen in many famous artists’ paintings: Toulouse-Lautrec, Vincent van Gogh, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
The Le Moulin de Blute-Fin is the only remaining working windmill and once stood alongside 30 others. It is on a private residence so you can go in but you can see it from the outside.
Le Moulin Radet is now a restaurant for Chef Antoine Heerah, so if you find it, make sure to go in and give the food a try.
There are also two other windmills. One on the Moulin Rouge, and one in the cemetery to honor soldiers
Stroll Along Place du Tertre
One of my favorite things to do in Montmartre is to take a leisurely walk along the charming Place du Tertre. The heart of Montmartre this lively square, once home to artists such as Picasso and Monet, is still a vibrant hub for artists offering portraits and caricatures. It’s an absolute must-see.
It’s a fun place to stroll down and see. However I wouldn’t stop for food here, there are better places elsewhere.
It is always bustling here and you are likely to get approached by people trying to paint you.
It’s a fun place to see but I never spend very long here. It’s a bit of a sensory overload but I love it never the less. this is one of the best places for shopping in Montmartre.
Visit Le Mur des Je T’aime
Where else would you find a wall dedicated to ‘I love yous’ than Paris? The work of artists Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito on the wall displays how to say ‘I love you’ in over 250 languages.
The navy blue wall is situated in the Square Jehan Rictus which is generally open from sunrise to sunset but you can see the wall from outside the garden if it’s closed.
If you wnat to get a picture in front arrive early it is a popular attraction and can get busy.
The wall consists of 612 tiles and covers a surface of 40 square meters.
Visit the Musée de Montmartre
If you’re a lover of art and history, you’re going to adore the Musée de Montmartre. This museum indeed wears many hats.
Not only is it located in the oldest house in Montmartre, but it’s also been home to several famous artists like Pierre-Auguste Renoir. A visit here will transport you back to the creative and bohemian Montmartre of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The musuem was founded in 1960 and I think it’s one of my favorite small museums I have visited. I learned so much here about Montmartre of the past.
Also included in your ticket price is the entrance to the garden behind the museum. It is beautiful in spring and gives you a perfect view of the Montmartre vineyard.
Discover the Château des Lys of Montmartre
I love a good chateau and while Paris has none to speak of Château des Lys would have been quite grand in its heyday. It sits right on the outskirts of the Montmartre Arrondissement.
It’s more of a large mansion house that has long since past its glory and is on the fringes of Montmartre. It is at the intersection of intersection where Rue Marcadet meets Rue du Mont Cenis and doesn’t look like much nowadays. You will recognize it because it has a turret which is a historical classified monument.
It is one of the oldest buildings in Montmartre built in 1771 and looks like no one has looked after it for years. It has had many residents and many uses.
I’m not sure what its use is today but what I do wish is that someone would take it over and restore it it deserves more.
Anyhow I found it interesting if not a little sad. Other chateaux to go searching for Château des Brouillards, Maison Eymonaud, Châteaux d’Eau de Montmartre and Hotel de l’Hermitage.
Go in search of Amelie filming locations
I do love a good movie and Amelie was just my kind of film, so naturally I needed to see the movie locations. This area has as you can imagine been used for many films.
The Abbesses Metro station, Rue Lepic, the Sacré-Coeur, and Studio 28 are all locations in this area that were used in the film.
All these places are worth a visit and if you know the film you will know what scenes these places are in immediately.
I hope this list of things to do in Montmartre will inspire you to visit the truly artistic corner of Paris. You will not regret the trip, especially if you are a fan of Southern France, but also enjoy the city life of Paris.
Schedule your one-day Montmartre according to your preferences and location. This way you will maximize the number of places to visit or the quality of your visit. Let me know if you have questions, or have other suggestions for things to do in Montmartre in the comments.
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