Montmartre at a glance
Montmartre is a hill in the 18th arrondissement, about 130 m above sea level. The Sacré-Cœur stands on top, and most things to do in Montmartre are within a short walk of it. Streets are steep, partly cobbled and often have steps, so plan for comfortable shoes and extra time.
The simplest way to see the area is a guided walk. A classic Montmartre route takes about 2 hours and covers the painters' square, a view of the basilica, the vineyard, the Moulin de la Galette and the Bateau-Lavoir. If you prefer a guide, look at our Montmartre walking tour page.
Things to do in Montmartre
Seven places that most visits are built around.
Sacré-Cœur
Entry to the basilica is free for everyone, without a ticket or a reservation. The dome climb costs extra and is sold on site. See the tickets page for prices.
Sacré-Cœur guide →Place du Tertre
The square where painters, portrait artists, caricaturists and silhouette cutters work at numbered spots.
Place du Tertre →Musée de Montmartre
A museum at 12 rue Cortot with exhibitions and the Renoir gardens. Hours and prices are in the section below.
Clos Montmartre
The vineyard is run by the city. Do not count on being able to walk in or taste wine, because access is not guaranteed.
Bateau-Lavoir and Moulin de la Galette
The Bateau-Lavoir is a former group of artists' studios, and the Moulin de la Galette is a windmill with a place in art history. Both are best seen from the street. Do not expect to go inside every day.
Mur des je t'aime
The wall in the Square Jehan Rictus, 14 place des Abbesses, can be closed for safety reasons. Check the current status before you go, and do not plan a photo stop around it.
Cemetery of Montmartre
A large cemetery with famous graves, a short walk from the hill. Opening hours and rules are below.
Our picks: more of Montmartre
The museum and its gardens, an art walk with the cemetery and a drawing walk with a local artist.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Montmartre drawing walk with a local artist
- Sketchbook
- Drawing materials
- Folding stool
Three hours of sketching around the hill with a sketchbook for each person, borrowed drawing materials and a folding stool.
Check availability →
Musée de Montmartre and gardens ticket
- Exhibitions
- Gardens
- Audio guide
Entry to the permanent and temporary exhibitions, the gardens with the Renoir garden and an audio guide. It does not include anything at the basilica.
Check availability →
Montmartre art walk with the cemetery
- Local guide
- Montmartre Cemetery
- Small canvas sketch
A local guide, a quiz walk and a visit to Montmartre Cemetery, with a little sketching on a small canvas. Entry to the basilica is not part of it.
Check availability →Montmartre tours and walks
Guided walks, dome climbs and food tours around Montmartre, with live prices and availability.
Musée de Montmartre: hours and prices
The museum is open every day, including Sundays and public holidays. Rooms close 15 minutes before the house does. It is at 12 rue Cortot. Bus line 40 stops at Saules-Cortot and Mont-Cenis-Cortot, both near the museum.
| Period | Hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| March to September | 10:00–19:00 | 18:15 |
| October to February | 10:00–18:00 | 17:15 |
| Ticket | Price (2026) |
|---|---|
| During an exhibition | €16 |
| Between exhibitions | €14 |
| Reduced, with proof | €10.50 |
| Ages 10 to 17 | €9 |
| Under 10 | Free |
| Renoir gardens only | €6 |
The reduced rate applies to named groups with proof, among them EU students under 26, teachers and people with disabilities. It is not a general discount for all EU citizens under 26.
Cemetery of Montmartre
The main entrance is at 20 avenue Rachel, with a second entrance on rue Ganneron. Hours depend on the season, and the last entry is 15 minutes before closing.
| Period | Monday to Friday | Saturday | Sunday and holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 March to 5 November | 08:00–18:00 | 08:30–18:00 | 09:00–18:00 |
| 6 November to 15 March | 08:00–17:30 | 08:30–17:30 | 09:00–17:30 |
The graves of Dalida and Louise Weber are here. Émile Zola's grave is a cenotaph, because his remains were moved to the Panthéon. Do not confuse this cemetery with the small Cimetière du Calvaire beside the basilica.
Picnics, alcohol, feeding animals and pets (even on a leash) are not allowed. Bicycles and scooters are not allowed either, even when pushed. The cemetery can close in bad weather, so check before you go.
Getting around the hill
The climb is the main thing to plan.
Metro
Abbesses (line 12), Anvers (line 2) and Pigalle (lines 2 and 12) are the usual stops. Abbesses is not next to the basilica, so expect a further walk uphill.
Getting there →Funicular
It runs daily from 06:00 to 00:45 and a single ticket costs €2.55. The outer steps beside it number roughly 220.
Funicular guide →Bus
Line 40 crosses the hill from Le Peletier to Mairie du 18e, Jules Joffrin. A single bus ticket costs €2.05.
For the evening, the Moulin Rouge and the lit basilica are covered on the Moulin Rouge page. Notre-Dame and the river are in other guides: see the Notre-Dame guide and the Seine guide.
Montmartre: frequently asked questions
How long do you need in Montmartre?
A classic guided walk takes about 2 hours. With the basilica, the dome climb, the Place du Tertre and the museum, plan half a day or more.
Is Montmartre free to visit?
The streets and the square are free, and so is the basilica. The dome climb and the Musée de Montmartre cost extra.
Can I visit the Mur des je t'aime?
The wall in the Square Jehan Rictus can be closed for safety reasons. Check the current status before you go.
Is the Cemetery of Montmartre open on Sundays?
Yes, on Sundays and holidays it opens at 09:00 and closes at 18:00 from 16 March to 5 November, and at 17:30 from 6 November to 15 March. It can close in bad weather.
Is this the official site of the basilica or the city?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not run by the Sacré-Cœur, the city of Paris or any tour operator.