Tour Details
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Place du Tertre
- Bateau Lavoir
- Saint Pierre de Montmartre
- Sacré-Coeur
Photos & Highlights
- Explore the urban and social context of historic Montmartre
- Led by a historian
Select a date
Tour Description
When you close your eyes and imagine a quaint Parisian scene, surely it looks like one of the many streets which wind their way though the neighborhood of Montmartre. A village in its own right, Montmartre can be glimpsed from a distance as the highest point in the city, and if you take the time to venture up its many staircases and inclines, you will be met with the inimitable charm for which Paris is so famous.
Your local expert will meet you in the heart of Montmartre, at the Place des Abbesses. Climbing the butte to the Moulin de la Galette, you’ll learn about how Paris' rapid urban growth in the 19th century pushed the city's boundaries until it pressed into the sleepy villages on its outskirts. The feeling of wandering through a village although you are within city bounds will suddenly make complete sense.
As you wander through the area, you will recognize certain buildings and monuments. Perhaps the Moulin de la Galette will look familiar thanks to the famous Renoir painting, or the café terraces may remind you of a work of Van Gogh. Montmartre was favored by early 20th century painters, and their influence and representations can be felt everywhere. Your expert will show you where some of these artists lived and explain to you why so many of them flocked to this area of Paris.
As you wander through the area, you will recognize certain buildings and monuments. Perhaps the Moulin de la Galette will look familiar thanks to the famous Renoir painting, or the café terraces may remind you of a work of Van Gogh. Montmartre was favored by early 20th century painters, and their influence and representations can be felt everywhere. Your expert will show you where some of these artists lived and explain to you why so many of them flocked to this area of Paris.
Continuing to the top of the hill, you’ll stop at Sacré Coeur, the basilica that has since become the symbol of the north of the city. With its Romano-Byzantine features, Sacré Cœur stands in sharp contrast to the Gothic architecture explored on our Notre Dame Tour or at Saint Eustache, both visible from its belvedere.
You will finish in front of the basilica on a staircase which boasts the most spectacular and sweeping views of the entire city. A suitable end to the exploration of an unmissable area of Paris.
Experts
- You want to visit a charming and authentic neighborhood and hear tales of the famous characters who lived there.
- You want to wander down cobblestone streets and walk up photogenic staircases, all while catching glimpses of some of the best views in Paris.
- You love French art and want to become acquainted with an area which inspired generations of French artists.
- Sacré-Coeur
- Place du Tertre
- Bateau Lavoir
- Charming streets and alleyways of Montmartre
Transportation
Can I be picked up from my hotel?
If you’d like to request a transfer service from your hotel, this is available at an additional cost. The car service will pick you up at your accommodation and drop you off at the meeting point of the tour where you will meet your expert. Please leave a note when booking your tour if you would like to request a transfer.
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
- For more information on planning your travels to Paris, take a read through our Context Stories.
- If you are looking to learn more about France prior to a visit, check out our online lecture detailing top sites to visit in Paris
Will I get to see the Sacré Coeur basilica?
We will spend time at Sacré Coeur discussing its contribution to the neighborhood's overall narrative. Some guides do enter the cathedral; others don't. Please let your guide know if you wish to enter! We often end nearby so that you can do a more in-depth visit on your own after the tour.
Where do we meet? Where does it end?
The walk begins and ends in the Montmartre neighborhood in the 18th arrondissement. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map.
Is this tour good for kids and teens?
We have some excellent family friendly guides who can appeal to the learning styles of children. We have a separate walk called Montmartre for Kids just for families with young children. If your children are older, this version of the tour is perfectly appropriate for all ages.
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We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
Montmartre is the hilliest district of Paris and has a lot of staircases and cobblestone streets. It is not a particularly wheelchair friendly area, though there is a funicular that can help people with low-mobility ascend and descend the hill. Please reach out to us if you have any mobility concerns and we will do our best to advise you.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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381 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Beverly was fun, energetic, personable and knowledgeable. My wife and I truly enjoyed our personal tour around Montmartre as Beverly educated us about the unique history of this Paris neighborhood. We appreciated seeing the landmarks and learning about the significant historical, societal, architectural, cultural and artistic aspects of Montmartre and its influence on the City. We highly recommend spending a joyful afternoon with Beverly!
Ed
Oct 26, 2024
We took a private walking tour of Montemartre with Anthony Melandin today. Anthony is remarkably warm and personable, and was kind and patient with two sixty-something year old women walking the hills and stairs of Montemartre. We enjoyed stops along the way in beautiful gardens and strolled cobblestone streets passing homes where Dalida and Marcel Aymé once lived. Anthony brought Montemartre to life transporting us back in time to the Belle Époque period when Montmartre was an affordable village and home to artists including Monet, Degas, Picasso, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh and others. We enjoyed vista views of Paris on the stairs of the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre. The Sacre-Coeur uniquely serves as a site of continuous prayer both day and night and has for the past 140 + years. The Roman-Byzantine architecture combined with beautiful mosaics (including the largest in France) and stunning stained glass make Sacré-Cœur a must see on any visit to Paris. Anthony was so kind as to translate for us at one of the best dining experiences we had in Paris! Lunch at Le Coq & Fils - the Poultry House was the perfect end to our Montemartre visit. Both the Coq Au Vin and the Alsatian Squab (with the mac & cheese) were pure perfection. (Make an advance reservation for sure - request bar seating at the chef’s table - a culinary experience that topped off our intentions to eat our way through Paris.). We ended the day finding Anthony as much a warm friend as we did an experienced and well-informed guide accustomed to working with international and inquisitive tourists. I would not hesitate to book another tour with Anthony!
Grenda
Oct 18, 2024
Our Montmartre tour with Marie was simply unforgettable! She was the perfect guide—knowledgeable, personable, and full of interesting stories about the area’s rich history and artistic roots. Marie made the entire experience smooth and enjoyable, leading us through the charming streets of Montmartre with ease. Her passion for the neighborhood really came through, and we learned so much while having a fantastic time. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide or tour. Highly recommend!
Durrell
Oct 10, 2024
