Montmartre is a neighborhood that feels like a step back in time, where Parisian history, art and charm collide. Perched on a hill in the 18th arrondissement, Montmartre was once a bohemian haven for artists, writers and musicians, including iconic figures like Picasso, Van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec. The narrow cobblestone streets, quaint cafés and breathtaking views of Paris make it one of the city's most romantic and picturesque districts. Watch the video above and keep reading this article below to learn how to have the perfect day in Montmartre village.
🚂 Ride the “Le Petit Train de Montmartre” from Moulin Rouge
Begin your perfect Montmartre morning with a bit of whimsy: Le Petit Train de Montmartre! This cute white tourist train departs from just outside the Moulin Rouge in Pigalle and winds its way through the charming backstreets of the 18th arrondissement — including views of iconic sights like Place Blanche, Sacré-Cœur and Place du Tertre. Tickets are around €7 for adults.
It’s a fun, breezy way to get your bearings before diving into the neighborhood on foot. The full loop takes about 40 minutes and includes audio commentary in several languages. Note: this train is open-air which means the noise of the hustle and bustle of the city is loud while you are riding making some of the train's audio hard to hear.
One of the best things about taking the little white train is that it drops you off right at the top of the hill, just steps from the Sacré-Cœur. That means you can skip the long climb up all those stairs — a serious bonus compared to taking the Metro, which leaves you at the bottom of the hill with quite a hike ahead.
This train is the best way to get to Montmarte!
⛪️ Visit the Sacré-Cœur
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, or Sacré-Cœur, was built in the late 1800s and completed in 1914 as both a religious symbol and a national monument. The interior of the Sacré-Cœur is peaceful and ornate, with soaring ceilings and a stunning golden mosaic of Christ in Glory above the altar — one of the largest of its kind in the world. Entry is free, but silence is requested, as this is still an active place of worship. You can also climb to the dome for an even higher vantage point (with a small entrance fee) or visit the crypt for a quieter, more reflective experience. The only bummer is that no photos are allowed inside the church. If you didn't take photos did you even visit? Haha
Although entry is free, the lines to get inside are extremely long! (See the crowd waiting behind me in this photo below.) Get there as early as you can so that you don't waste your whole day waiting. Because of this Cedric and I chose to skip the interior and only explore the exterior.
This church is a national monument in Paris!
👨🏻🎨 Explore Place du Tertre
After exploring the Sacré-Cœur make your way to Place du Tertre, the historic artist square. Place du Tertre is one of Paris' oldest squares and was once the center of the Montmartre village before it became part of the city. Today, it’s known for its open-air art market, where licensed artists display and sell their work daily. With just 140 spots available, there's a long waitlist to paint here — making it one of the most exclusive places to be an artist in Paris. Their work is amazing! In my Montmartre vlog you can see the amazing portrait work of some of these artists. Not only artists are here, if you walk around you will also find musicians playing beautiful music. Our favorite discovery was this accordion player with his feline assistant!
Montmarte's best musical duo!
💃 Dance at the Moulin Rouge
After a day near Montmartre's center Le Petit Train will take you back to the famous Moulin Rouge. The Moulin Rouge is one of Paris’ most legendary cabarets and the birthplace of the modern can-can. Opened in 1889 at the foot of Montmartre, it quickly became a symbol of Belle Époque glamour. Today, the Moulin Rouge still dazzles with nightly shows full of feathers, sequins and high-energy choreography — a blend of historic charm and over-the-top spectacle that continues to enchant visitors from around the world.
Ticket prices for the Moulin Rouge in Paris vary based on the showtime and package selected:
Show Only: Tickets start at approximately €87 for the 11:00 PM performance and around €119 for the 9:00 PM show.
Show with Champagne: Adding half a bottle of champagne per person increases the price to about €115–€120. Dinner and Show: Packages that include a three-course dinner begin at approximately €185 per person.
Luxury Travel Diva
It's advisable to book tickets well in advance, as performances frequently sell out, particularly on weekends. Opting for the 11:00 PM show or attending on weekdays can often result in lower prices.
However the best option is just to visit the Moulin Rouge in the day or at night for a drink and bite to eat without the show. You'll get the experience of the famous bar while saving money in your wallet!
Moulin Rouge
🥖 Munch on a classic baguette!
End your lovely afternoon with a famous French baguette! Don't worry, you're not required to wear a beret to eat one of these haha, but if you want the look, here's the beret I'm wearing! Baguettes are all over the city of Paris and they are only around €1 , a perfect afternoon snack!
Enjoying a baguette in Paris!
Which part of this day sounds like the best to you? Would you ride the little train or opt for the subway and stair hike of the Sacré-Cœur? Comment your thoughts on my latest Montmarte vlog and subscribe to the YouTube channel, this blog and follow me on Instagram for more Paris travel tips throughout this spring!
