Where To Stay In Montmartre
Montmartre is possibly the most iconic neighbourhood in Paris, with its quirky cafes, ornate architecture and charming cobbled streets. Known as the favourite location of the impressionist artists such as Monet and Renoir, Montmartre has become synonymous with bohemian creativity and liberal expression. Pigalle has shaken off its historic reputation to emerge as a top place to enjoy food and culture, whilst the Quartier de la Nouvelle Athènes, near atmospheric Musée de la Vie Romantique, is famed for its stunning architecture and old-world charm.
Facts About Montmartre
Located in the 18th Arrondissement to the north of Paris city centre, the unassuming district of Montmartre hides a wealth of history and cultural significance. Since the 18th century, Montmartre has been a favourite location for artists, poets and philosophers as well as traditionally being associated with Paris’s most exciting social scenes. Below are a few more facts about Montmartre and the 18th arrondissement:
- Montmartre was originally named the “Mount of Mars”, but this was later changed to “Montmartre” - “Mount of the Martyr”.
- Scenes from Montmartre were captured by several famous painters, including Renoir, Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet.
- The dome of Sacre Coeur is the second-highest point in Paris, behind the Eiffel Tower.
- Russian soldiers occupied Montmartre during the battle of Paris in 1814.
- Montmartre is home to a tiny vineyard in the Rue Saint-Vincent, which yields just 500 litres of wine per year.
Things to Do in Montmartre
Montmartre is one of the most exciting neighbourhoods in Paris - its picturesque streets being filled with galleries, museums and quirky cafes. The 18th arrondissement is also one of the best places to enjoy a night out - with several famous bars and night spots.
Q. What is Montmartre famous for?
More than anything else, Montmartre is famous for its rich artistic heritage. This is reflected in the abundance of galleries and art stores, as well as street painters that line the cobbled streets. Keen-eyed visitors may even be able to identify the locations that were made famous by several impressionist artists.
Q. What are some free things to do in Montmartre?
Montmartre is thought of as a walkers paradise. Its quaint buildings and old-world charm make it the ideal place for a stroll. What’s more, the plethora of independent artists that sell their work on street stalls only adds to the visual splendour of the area.
Q. Are there many modern attractions in Montmartre?
Despite its reputation as a historic village-like space, Montmartre has plenty of modern attractions within its vicinity, including a cinema, sporting facilities and a contemporary art museum.
Q. How long does it take to explore Montmartre?
Montmartre itself only covers a small area and this can be explored within a single afternoon by those just wishing to take in the ambience. However, several of the most famous landmarks in the area involve perusing galleries or sitting down to a meal - which inevitably takes a little longer and those wishing to experience the famous night spots will need to stay in the area after the sun goes down!
Places to Visit in Montmartre
Montmartre is an iconic location that is bursting with galleries, museums, nightspots and locations of historical and cultural importance. Whilst many will visit the area simply to admire its cobbled streets, it should be remembered that there’s an abundance of famous locations within the vicinity of the district. Below are a few highlights:
- Sacre-Coeur - Paris’s second most-visited cathedral and known for its distinct
- Moulin Rouge - The infamous cabaret club, made famous through numerous films and songs.
- Cimetière de Montmartre - The second largest cemetery in Paris and the final resting place of numerous artists and writers
- Musée de Montmartre - A charming museum dedicated to the history and cultural importance of the neighbourhood
- The Palace of Versailles - An exquisite former-royal residence and pristine example of Louis XIII style architecture.
- The Catacombs - A series of subterranean caverns that contain some 6 million skeletal remains.
- The Champs Elysees - The wide boulevard is the place to shop in Paris, with several high-end designer stores and boutiques.
- The Eiffel Tower - A complex of 17th-century buildings originally supporting wounded veterans. It now houses a museum and the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Places to Eat in Montmartre
France prides itself on being the land of gastronomy and the 18th arrondissement - including Montmartre - offers its fair share of cafés, bistros, and restaurants. Naturally, many of the bars exhibit an artistic or bohemian atmosphere, in keeping with the area's reputation, but there are also plenty of modern and international cuisines on offer locally. For traditional brasserie experiences, establishments such as Brasserie Barbès, Wepler Brasserie, Café des Deux Moulins or Grenouilles are sure to fit the bill. Alternatively, for fine dining in the 18th and 9th arrondissements, options include La Table Eugene, Le Cabanon de la Butte, Signature and La Caulaincourt.
Street Food Montmartre
Montmartre is very much in keeping with the Parisienne tradition of excellent street food. Nearby Pigalle is particularly noted for its excellent produce markets along Rue des Martyrs,
offering plenty of traditional baked delights along with the food market of Marche Answers also offers plenty of local organic produce to try. Alternatively, places like Pacific Street Food, Le Cabanon de la Butte and Crêperie Rozell Café are great places to pick up a quick bite for those strolling around Montmartre.
Shopping in Montmartre
Montmartre has a great selection of small boutiques and curiosity shops and the 18th and 9th arrondissements, in general, are good shopping locations outside of the city centre. For a truly unique shopping experience, there’s quirky stores and markets like Halle Saint-Perre, Brocante des Abbesses and Interiors Galerie de Ceramique offering everything from interior decor to handmade arts and crafts. Alternatively, for a more traditional shopping experience, there are several malls and department stores within easy reach of Montmartre. Some of the most noteworthy are:
- Passage Verdeau
- París compras
- Passage du Havre
- Forum des Halles
- Passage des Panoramas
Transportation in Montmartre
Paris has an excellent public transport network, meaning it’s easy to reach Montmartre from anywhere in the city. Anyone looking to reach the historic centre of the neighbourhood will find the bus is the easiest way, with Utrillo bus station being right at the base of Sacre Coeur. There is also a stop near the famous Funiculaire, which itself is a great way of getting up the hill leading to the famous cathedral. However, Montmartre is surrounded by metro stations, so underground trains are also an option for travel around the city. The stations serving Montmartre include:
- Pigalle
- Chateau Rouge
- Blanche
- Abbesses
- Place de Clichy
- Anvers
Paris also has an excellent bus system, with 64 lines that are integrated with the Metro to ensure complete coverage of the city. There are also some 47 bus services that run 24 hours a day.
Weather Montmartre
Paris weather is typical of any city in western Europe, with distinct seasons. Winters can be cold, with temperatures in December and January often dropping to around 0 degrees, even pushing below freezing at night time. Typically, July and August are the warmest months for the city, with temperatures reaching over 28 degrees on average during the hotter periods. During the summer, it is advisable to find accommodation with air-conditioning, as temperatures can stay high even overnight. Paris weather in September and October is often the most desirable, as during these months it is cooler than the height of summer but typically still dry, making this a popular time of year to visit the city.
