top of page
IMG_9997_édité_édité.jpg

Montmartre in 1 day

  • Lilian, com pitacos de Giselle
  • 30 mai
  • 8 min de lecture

Dernière mise à jour : 31 mai

Montmartre a bohemian neighborhood...

Montmartre is made up of charming ups and downs. I like to walk around there and imagine the time when many artists lived in this unique place within the city. It was in the 19th century that they discovered this picturesque place with beautiful landscapes and cheap rent, which for centuries was a rural village... Musicians, painters, and writers with a bohemian lifestyle played a huge role in what Montmartre is today. Since most of them enjoyed a free, unruly, and sometimes even hedonistic life (I'm not being pejorative, mind you!), with their arrival, the place began to change... It was then that bars, cabarets, brothels and... tourists appeared!

Today, many people come to Montmartre just to see the Sacre-Coeur Basilica (read more on our website: http://www.routeparis.com/sacre-coeur) or the traditional Moulin Rouge ( http://www.moulinrouge.fr/ ), but the place has much more to offer. And I agree with the proverb that says that the journey is more important than the destination. So, I always start my walk slowly, paying attention to the beauties along the way and always trying to discover some unusual corner. I have the feeling that the arrival is more enjoyable when I enjoy the walk.

Well, digressions aside, our tour begins when we get off the Abbesses metro station (line 2). When you leave, you will notice that the entrance to the station is unique and one of the most beautiful in Paris. It is a beautiful and well-preserved work of glass and cast iron from the “Belle Époque” period, designed by the famous French designer Hector Guimard.

Cross the street and go straight to the “ Square Jean Rictus ”. It is located right in front of the station, on Rue la Vieuville. There is the “I Love You” wall (“ le mur des Je t'aime ”), which makes for beautiful photos.

I Love You Wall

Leaving the square through the same entrance gate, cross the street and notice the façade of the Saint-Jean Parish and if you can, go in. I always enjoy visiting churches!

Follow rue des Abbesses to the award-winning bakery “ Le Grenier à Pain ”, located at number 38. There I have a snack, drink a coffee and buy some rolls to eat on the way (just thinking about the chocolate croissants makes my mouth water).

Return along the same street and follow the Passage des Abbesses to rue des Trois Frères, turning left to reach Place Émile-Goudeau, on rue Ravignan. At number 13 on this street is the Bateau-Lavoir, which has been a “stopover” for many artists such as Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, Guillaume Apollinaire, Maurice Utrillo and many others. Today it is just an interesting shop window, but I like to walk by and “get a feel” for the place.

From Rue Ravignan, go to Rue d'Orchampt and go up to the end of the street. You will come out on Rue Lepic, opposite the windmill “Moulin de la Galette” (which inspired Renoir's painting “Bal du moulin de la Galette”), where you will also find the luxurious restaurant of the same name and the “Moulin du Radet”. These are the only two windmills left of the many that once stood in Montmartre.

From there I suggest you follow rue Girardon and, if you have time, enter Square Suzanne Buisson, cross over and exit at place Casadesus to Alée des Brouillards, then take rue Girardon again. If you don't have time, just follow rue Girardon and go to Place Dalida.

Continue along rue de l'Abreuvoir to “ La Maison Rose ”, a charming café-restaurant known for the paintings of Maurice Utrillo and many others.

On the way, I was enchanted by the quiet, tree-lined streets and some beautiful houses...

Going left, you will see a vineyard in the middle of the city, the “Vigne du Clos Montmartre” and turning right on rue Saint-Vincent, you will see “Le Jardin Sauvage Saint-Vincent”, which is generally open to the public from 8am to 7:30pm and on Sundays from 9am to 7:30pm, although it may close on windy days... This garden has original flora, wild plants and a variety of fauna in the middle of the city, which helps to maintain the biodiversity of the area. Things about Paris...

Still following rue Saint-Vincent, turn right onto rue du Mont-Cenis (I was enchanted by the staircase and took lots of photos...).

Go down the stairs and you will come out on rue Cortot, where a few meters away is the Musée de Montmartre ( http://museedemontmartre.fr/en/le-musee/ ) (it is worth a visit, the works of art tell the story of Montmartre).

From there, I think almost all the streets lead to the Basilica , you just have to go up, but I'll tell you how I can enjoy it a little more... I go back along rue Cordot, turn right onto rue du Mont Cenis, go behind the Sacré-Coeur, along rue du Chevalier de la Barre and go to the parc de la Turlure. From Dalí, the view of the Basilica is very beautiful.

Leaving the park, turn left onto rue du Chevalier de la Barre and turn right onto rue Paul Albert. Cross rue Maurice Urtrillo (staircase) to rue Lamarck and climb the steps to the Basilica. Enjoy the view and visit the inside of the church. It is beautiful, but it is a shame that photographs of the interior are not allowed! (visit our website: http://www.routeparis.com/sacre-coeur).

I haven't mentioned yet that you can choose not to climb the stairs and go to the foot of the Basilica by funicular, a small tram. You'll save around 200 steps. To tell you the truth, I've never used it, but I think it's very interesting, especially since it accepts metro tickets.

When leaving Sacér-Coeur via the “ Parvis du Sacré-Coeur” , turn right onto rue du Cardinal Guilbert and then take rue du Chevalier de la Barre on the left until you reach rue du Mont-Cenis, where you will turn left again. You will pass in front of the “Cimetière du Calvaire” cemetery, where a wooden Calvary marks the highest point in Paris (130 meters).

Continue a little further and you will come out at the famous Place du Tertre , where many artists exhibit their work, others make caricatures in the open air, and, at night, it is a meeting point, as the place is surrounded by bars, cafes and restaurants.

On Sundays, the square is livelier and there are more artists exhibiting their work. On the other hand, everything is more crowded...

Some restaurants and cafes are located around the square.

A little further on, on rue Poulbolt, the Espace Dalí ( http://daliparis.com/ ) is definitely worth a visit! It has a museum dedicated to the artist and an art gallery, which also features works by contemporary artists.

Leaving Espace Dali, turn right onto rue Norvins, going around again to Place du Tertre. I think a good way to go down is to take rue Saint Eleuthere, arriving at rue du Cardinal du Bois and going down Square Louise Michel until you come out at Place Saint-Pierre, where rue Stenkerque begins.

Ah... rue Stenkerque... If you like great-priced souvenirs, this street is “the” place: themed t-shirts and bags, berets, accessories like scarves, bandanas, handkerchiefs, keychains, miniatures of the Tower, all for cheap! This is the place in Paris where you will find these trinkets (some of them are beautiful, okay? I came back with a scarf that “lives” around my neck) at the best price. That's because I didn't mention the 5-story fabric market, right there, on Place Saint-Pierre, on rue Charles Nodier (I don't think I have time for 1 day...)

Just please don't fall for the talk of people placing bets on the street, calling tourists...

After walking along Steinkrke Street, you will be in front of the Anvers metro (line 2).

My route ends here, but yours doesn't have to end there because, despite being tired, you might want to visit the area of the famous Moulin Rouge on the same day. If that's what you want, let's go...

Pigalle

Pigalle remains one of the centers of nightlife in Paris, perhaps the best known, although it has changed a lot since the days when it was considered a run-down part of the city. Although it is a rather amorphous place in terms of architecture, where modernity mixes with old buildings without much harmony or planning, it is an area that has its charm.

I'll give you some tips on tours you can do on the same day:

✔ If you just want to visit the area near the famous Moulin Rouge Cabaret:

Once you are at Place de Anvers, turn right onto Boulevard de Rochechouart and then follow Boulevard de Clichy to the Moulin Rouge. This route, if you don’t stop, takes a little over ten minutes. It’s quite quick.

Sex shops and nightclubs in the area attract tourists. Don't be alarmed if someone approaches you at the door and invites you to visit a nightclub. This is a common practice, especially at night.

If you are going to see a show at the Moulin Rouge, you have to book in advance and the dress code is not the same as when you are walking around all day. So I suggest booking another day.

Consider heading down Rue Lepic and ending your day at Café des Deux Moulins, which became a hit thanks to the film “Amelie”. The authenticity of the place is due to the decor, but don’t expect much more than that... http://cafedesdeuxmoulins.fr/en

✔ If you want to discover the most popular street of the moment: rue des Martyrs:

Once you are at Place de Anvers, go right along Boulevard de Rochechouart and turn left onto Rue des Martyrs, where the street numbers start to decrease. This is where the new upscale area of the city is emerging. It is called SoPi (South of Pigalle) and attracts bohemians who are more, let's say, bourgeois.

The street is a must-see for those who enjoy good food... Look what you can find there:

🔺9, Rue des Martyrs: La Chambre aux Confitures. Every type of jam you can imagine!

🔺At the same number 9 (one shop next to the other): Première Pression: boutique selling artisanal olive oils from Provence, with tastings. Also sells natural olive-based cosmetics.

🔺22, rue des Martyrs): Pâtisserie des Martyrs, the pastry shop of Sébastien Gaudard, who was voted the best pastry chef in France in 2012.

🔺46 rue des Martyrs: Rose Bakery (everything is delicious!)

🔺48, rue de Martyrs: Fromagerie Beillevaire.

🔺72, rue des Martyrs: A ma table shop specializing in tableware and ceramic items.

It's a normal neighborhood that is becoming more modern. - Guys, not everything in Paris is pure glamour! - Couples with children stroll around in the morning, it's a safe place, but you should be careful as you would in any tourist spot. At night, near the Moulin Rouge, the lights on draw attention and the place is always crowded. During the weekend at night, since the neighborhood is really bohemian and the concert halls and bars stay open until late, you'll come across some "shower singers" on the street. Groups making a little trouble here and there, mostly young people. C'est la vie!

Montmartre: train ride

There is also the option of a ride on a little train, especially if you are with children or elderly people.

Les Petits trains from Montmartre:

The journey takes around 40 minutes, departing from Place Blanche, opposite the Moulin Rouge, making a short stop at Place du Tertre and returning to the same square, served by the Blanche metro station.

It passes by the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur, Saint-Pierre Church, Place du Tertre, Espace Dalí Museum, Saint-Vincent Cemetery, Saint-Pierre Market, Anvers and others.

Circulation every day from 10am to 6pm and during the summer, until midnight.

The Montmartrain:

The trip also lasts about 40 minutes and leaves from Place Pigalle, making a short stop in front of Sacre-Coeur (parvis du Sacré-Coeur). It passes several tourist spots and is also a great choice.

Circulation every day from 10am to 6pm (5pm until March), with departures every 30 minutes.

Find out more at: http://www.montmartre-guide.com/commerces/montmartrain/

And... If you want to know more:

-Check out our page: Basilique du Sacre-Coeur

-If you like outdoor activities and haven't visited Paris yet, visit our page: Seine-Boat Trips.

-If you have already been to Paris or prefer a less touristy itinerary or are looking for a different Paris - check out our main page - Route Paris - with lots of pictures and suggestions. Choose from: Seine-Highlights , Parks and gardens , Fairs and markets ;

-If you want to see other options, also very popular in Paris, check out our tips section on the blog .

Comments

bottom of page