Montmartre: main places of the hill, tickets and view of Paris

Montmartre occupies a hill in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. The dome of Sacré-Cœur is visible from half the city, and entry to the basilica itself is free.

The hill feels like a separate town: a vineyard, cabarets, artists' workshops, and dozens of staircases. In one day you can realistically see ten different places here. The only question is where to start and how much it costs.

Below you'll find the main spots on Montmartre, current hours and prices for 2026, and a sensible order for the climb. All data was checked on 14.09.2026 on official websites, for example on the basilica's hours page.

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What to see on Montmartre

💡 In short:

• Start with the Sacré-Cœur Basilica: entry is free, the dome requires a separate ticket (dome tickets).
• Walk down to Place du Tertre, where street artists work.
• Add the Musée de Montmartre and the Clos Montmartre vineyard on rue des Saules.
• Save the evening for the Moulin Rouge or a stroll along Boulevard de Clichy.
• Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, checked on the basilica's opening hours.

Montmartre is compact. From Abbesses metro station you can walk to Sacré-Cœur in 15 minutes, but the whole route goes uphill. Plan your day without rushing. The hill is small, but there are a lot of people on it, so the order of stops matters more than speed.

Besides the major sights covered below, the hill hides smaller ones. They're easy to miss.

• The Espace Dalí museum stands next to Place du Tertre. The building is unremarkable, and it's easy to walk right past it, even though it houses the most significant collection of Salvador Dalí's works in France (according to the Paris tourist office website, 09/2026).
• You'll reach Place Dalida via rue Girardon. Here stands a bust of the singer, remembered as a resident of Montmartre.
• The Le Passe-Muraille statue is on the same rue Girardon, on the way to Place Marcel-Aymé. The monument depicts the hero of Marcel Aymé's story, a man who walks through walls.
• The Wall of Love (Le Mur des Je t'aime) is on Place des Abbesses. On blue tiles, the words "I love you" are written in more than 200 languages (as of 09/2026, the Wall of Love).

History of Montmartre

© Gargarapalvin · CC BY-SAPhoto: Gargarapalvin, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

In ancient times, a Roman settlement stood on the hill with two pagan temples: one dedicated to Mars, the god of war, the other to Mercury, the patron of trade. Later, gypsum was found here, and the area grew wealthy. Palaces and churches appeared. Around the 3rd century, the first bishop of Paris, Denis, and his companions were executed on Montmartre (according to the Paris tourist office, 09/2026).

In 1147, the Church of Saint-Pierre de Montmartre was consecrated at a Benedictine monastery. In March 1814, troops occupied the hill, and then the Russian army and its allies entered Paris. In peacetime, residents mined gypsum, built windmills, and cultivated vineyards (as of 09/2026, history of the hill).

In 1860, Montmartre was annexed to Paris as the 18th arrondissement. At that time, about 57,000 people lived here. From the late 19th century, the neighborhood became home to bohemians: Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, Picasso, Modigliani, Émile Zola, and Hector Berlioz all worked on this very hill (according to the Paris tourist office, 09/2026).

Almost all of them were short on money and settled in simple houses. There were almost no amenities, but cheap living kept the artists close to one another.

Where the name Montmartre comes from

There are two versions of the hill's name, and both are tied to the history of the place.

• The first comes from the martyrs. In 272, Saint Denis was executed here, and the hill was named Mons Martyrium, "Hill of the Martyr."
• The second comes from Mons Martis, "Hill of Mars." It may have been called that because of the Roman temple on the summit.

No one knows the exact translation. You'll encounter both versions in guidebooks (according to the Paris tourist office, 09/2026).

Montmartre attractions

The main sights are concentrated at the top of the hill and around it. Below are ten places that most often get covered in one day. You can change the order, but keep the climb in mind.

Sacré-Cœur Basilica

© Chabe01 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Chabe01, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Montmartre's main landmark stands at the highest point of the hill, so it is visible from different parts of Paris. The Romano-Byzantine basilica was designed by architect Paul Abadie. It was built from 1875 to 1914 in memory of the victims of the Franco-Prussian War. Residents raised the funds, and white limestone was used for the walls. The building is 83 m tall.

The largest bell in Paris was cast in 1891 for this basilica. It weighs 19 tons, and its clapper weighs 850 kg. The facade is decorated with bas-reliefs, figures of Archangel Michael and Joan of Arc, and beneath the altar there is a crypt (according to the basilica's official website, 09/2026).

Entry is free, but the visit takes less time than the climb. The dome is open from 10:30 to 20:45, with the last entry at 20:15. Tickets cost 8 € for adults and 5 € for children (as of 09/2026, dome ticket prices). The climb goes up a narrow staircase, 280 steps, with no elevator. This route is not suitable for people with limited mobility or with small children.

If you want to walk through the hill with a guide and hear the history of the neighborhood, check out Montmartre tours on GetYourGuide.

Place du Tertre

© Chabe01 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Chabe01, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Place du Tertre is the main square of the neighborhood, and it is always crowded: artists, tourists, and locals. The name probably comes from the word "tertre," which was used in the Middle Ages for an execution site.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Pissarro, Van Gogh, and Picasso worked here. Today young artists draw on the square: in a few minutes they will make a caricature or a cityscape for you. Almost all the surrounding buildings have historical value. The ground floors house antique shops, galleries, and cafés with photos of famous visitors on the walls.

• The catch: during the day there are a lot of tourists here, and you will have to wait for a table near the square.

Musée de Montmartre

© Musée de Montmartre · CC BY-SAPhoto: Musée de Montmartre, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

After Place du Tertre, many people head to the Musée de Montmartre. The museum occupies a 17th-century mansion on rue Cortot, where actors, artists, and musicians once lived. In the last quarter of the 19th century, Renoir had his studio here.

The collection includes posters, paintings, and photographs, and the exhibitions tell the story of the neighborhood's artistic life. There is a library and a collection of chanson recordings, and temporary exhibitions are held. The museum is open every day from 10:00 to 19:00, with the last entry 45 minutes before closing (as of 09/2026, museum's official website).

On Saturdays at 14:30, they offer a vineyard tour with a tasting of Clos Montmartre wine and museum entry. It costs 43 € per person, and you should book your spot in advance (as of 09/2026, museum tickets). You can compare tickets to other Paris museums on Tiqets.

Lapin Agile

© David McSpadden from Daly City, United States · CC BYPhoto: David McSpadden from Daly City, United States, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The Lapin Agile cabaret sits on a hillside, and without an exact address it's not easy to find. The two-story house is painted pink, and the sign shows a huge rabbit with a bottle of wine.

Inside there's a coat check, a small hall, and a room on the second floor. The performers sit among the audience, and the walls are decorated with paintings of the neighborhood's bohemian life. The program has barely changed in a century: to guitar and accordion, they sing French songs from the repertoire of Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, and Joe Dassin. They read poetry and perform short plays.

Montmartre vineyards

The Clos Montmartre vineyard lies between rue des Saules and rue Saint-Vincent. It covers about 1,500 square meters, with 1,762 vines of 27 varieties. Each year it yields up to 500 liters of wine.

Since the 1930s, Montmartre has celebrated the new wine festival in October. According to legend, the first vine was planted by the Romans in the year 120, and in the Middle Ages nearly all the hill's residents were involved in winemaking. When the area became part of Paris, the vineyards began to be cleared, and in 1929 the artist Poulbot and his associates saved what remained of the historic site. In 1933 the vineyard was restored on the northern side of the slope (according to the Paris tourist office, 09/2026).

Moulin de la Galette windmill

© GFreihalter · CC BY-SAPhoto: GFreihalter, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The Moulin de la Galette windmill was built in 1622. At first it ground grain, but the owners, a family named Debray, set up a canopy and tables nearby, and the first restaurant with a dance hall appeared.

In good weather, guests danced outdoors; in the rain, they gathered inside. At first, workers and seamstresses came here to relax after their shifts. By the end of the 19th century, artists, performers, and musicians were gathering at the mill. The windmill stands at the intersection of rue Lepic and rue Tholozé and is protected by the state (according to the Paris tourist office, 09/2026).

Café des Deux Moulins

© Mig Gilbert from Brighton · CC BY-SAPhoto: Mig Gilbert from Brighton, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Café des Deux Moulins became famous after the 2001 film "Amélie": some scenes were shot right here. After the film's release, a poster signed by Audrey Tautou and a small film museum appeared in the interior.

The café opened in the early 20th century, and the interior has not changed since the 1950s. The menu has stayed the same too; the new owner only removed the tobacco kiosk and replaced the tablecloths with paper napkins. People order coffee, a glass of wine, or crème brûlée with cardamom here.

Moulin Rouge

© Juanedc from Zaragoza, España · CC BYPhoto: Juanedc from Zaragoza, España, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Moulin Rouge, the "Red Mill," is the most famous cabaret in Paris. It was founded in 1889 and became popular within a few months. The cancan was first performed here, and Toulouse-Lautrec drew posters for the cabaret: some of them still hang at the entrance.

The show lasts 1 hour 45 minutes. It involves 80 performers, and about 1,000 costumes have been made (according to the official Moulin Rouge website, 09/2026). The dinner show starts at 7:00 PM and costs €263 per person (as of 09/2026, booking). Tickets for holiday dates sell out in advance, so book early.

Montmartre Cemetery

Montmartre Cemetery opened on January 1, 1825, on the site of a gypsum quarry. It covers 11 hectares in the western part of the district. There are about 20,000 graves, and the cemetery is active: roughly 500 new graves are added each year. A map is provided at the entrance.

The cemetery is the final resting place of composer Offenbach, saxophone inventor Adolphe Sax, artists Degas and Moreau, writers Heinrich Heine, Stendhal, and Dumas fils. Dalida's grave is also here, and people still bring flowers to it (according to the Paris tourist office, 09/2026).

Boulevard de Clichy and place Pigalle

© Celette · CC BY-SAPhoto: Celette, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Boulevard de Clichy is considered the center of Paris nightlife. It's packed with hundreds of sex shops, nightclubs, and strip bars. It's also worth a daytime stroll. In 1814, a battle between the French and Russian armies took place right here, and Van Gogh loved to paint the boulevard and the Café du Tambourin.

The Museum of Eroticism, opened in 1997, stands on the boulevard. The first floor covers the history of 19th and 20th century brothels, while the second floor displays paintings and sculptures by contemporary artists.

At the end of the boulevard you come out onto Place Pigalle. It was a favorite haunt of the bohemian crowd, and at the café Le Chat Noir, Picasso, Renoir, and Degas once paid with their drawings. Today the surrounding area is a red-light district: sex shops at every turn, and in the evening the streets fill with members of the world's oldest profession.

• Not for: visiting with children or for a quiet walk, especially in the evening.

Tickets and opening hours

Opening hours and prices on Montmartre change by season, so check them before your trip. Below are the current details as of September 2026.

Dome tickets are not sold online: you buy them at the ticket office at the foot of the basilica, in the moat (as of 09/2026, basilica ticket office). Hill tours and museum tickets, on the other hand, can be booked in advance, and in summer that saves time in lines.

How to get to Montmartre

Montmartre occupies the 18th arrondissement in the north of Paris. The most convenient way to get there is by metro. Line 2 stops at Blanche, Pigalle and Anvers, line 12 at Abbesses and Lamarck-Caulaincourt.

From the metro you walk up by stairs or take the funicular. The funicular belongs to the RATP network and takes you to Sacré-Cœur in about a minute and a half. It operates on Île-de-France Mobilités fares, but since January 2025 you need a separately validated ticket (as of 09/2026, regional fares).

If you prefer a walk, climb the stairs on rue Foyatier. With every step, a view of the city opens up.

Montmartre attractions on the map

It's convenient to keep all the points in front of you on a map. That way you immediately see that Place du Tertre, Musée de Montmartre and the vineyard are close together, within a 500 m radius (on the map).

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to enter Sacré-Cœur and climb the dome?

The basilica itself is free for everyone, including tourists. A separate ticket is needed only for the dome; see prices in the table above (as of 09/2026, official Sacré-Cœur website).

How to get to Montmartre by metro?

The most convenient option is line 2: Blanche, Pigalle, and Anvers stations. Line 12 runs through Abbesses and Lamarck-Caulaincourt. From the metro to Sacré-Cœur you walk uphill or take the funicular, which works with RATP tickets (as of 09/2026, RATP tickets).

Is Musée de Montmartre worth visiting?

Yes, if you're interested in bohemian history. The museum is open every day from 10:00 to 19:00, last entry 45 minutes before closing (as of 09/2026, museum website). On Saturdays they run a vineyard tour with tasting for €43 (as of 09/2026, vineyard tickets).

What can you see in Montmartre for free?

The basilica, Montmartre Cemetery, and a walk through the hill's streets. Place du Tertre, the Wall of Love, and the views from lookout points are free. You pay for the dome, museums, and shows.

When are there fewer tourists in Montmartre?

Come in the morning on a weekday: that's when mostly locals head to Place du Tertre and Sacré-Cœur. By midday the stairs and the area around the basilica get crowded, especially in summer and on weekends.

When does the young wine festival take place?

Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre runs from October 7 to 11 in 2026 (as of 09/2026, official festival website). It's the 93rd edition, with tastings, a parade, and street food throughout the neighborhood.

In short: what to book

Montmartre fits into one day if you don't stretch every stop. Here's a quick matrix for your situation.

• If you have half a day: do Sacré-Cœur and Place du Tertre.
• If you have a full day: add Musée de Montmartre, the vineyard, and the cemetery.
• If you're going in the evening: leave time for Moulin Rouge and Boulevard de Clichy.
• If you're traveling with kids: stick to Place du Tertre and the basilica, and avoid the Pigalle area in the evening.

Hotels near the hill get booked in advance: the 18th arrondissement is popular, and climbing the stairs with suitcases is hard. Compare options near the metro: hotels near Montmartre on Trip.com.