Montmartre Walking Tour

Walking Tour

3 hrs

Paris

When you close your eyes and imagine a quaint Parisian scene, surely it looks like one of the many streets which wind their way through 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.

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 your Montmartre walking tour in front of the basilica on a staircase that boasts the most spectacular and sweeping views of the entire city. A suitable end to the exploration of an unmissable area of Paris.

Choose this tour if...

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.

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

Book a Tour

Meet our experts

“ I enjoy how each Context tour is different, based on the knowledge and interests of my guests. I can play to my strengths while digging deep into things our clients want to learn. The experience is so dynamic -- both for them and for me! ”

Lindsey H.

From iconic landmarks to tucked-away local favorites, these are the places you’ll explore and experience firsthand with your Expert.

Sacré-Coeur
White-domed basilica in Paris on Montmartre hill, combining Romanesque and Byzantine styles.
Place du Tertre
Bateau Lavoir
Saint Pierre de Montmartre

Here’s a look at what your tour covers, plus anything you’ll want to consider arranging separately, so you can plan with confidence.

Included

English-speaking expert guide
Tours led in English, offering you unbroken understanding throughout.
Intentionally sized groups
A smaller group means more time for conversations and questions.
Tickets and entrance fees
All entry tickets included (unless clearly stated otherwise).
Headsets
Headsets are included on tours that need them, so every word can be heard.

Not Included

Gratuities

We encourage tipping as a way to thank your guide after your experience.
Food and drink

Refreshments are only included during a tour when clearly noted.
Transportation to and from the meeting point

Unless noted, pre- and post-tour transport isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
Hotel pickup or drop-off

Unless noted, travel to or from accommodation isn’t included - this service can be added by request.

Map of Montmartre Tour with Sacré-Coeur general meeting point area

Some helpful advice for getting the most from your experience, from practical prep to small on-the-day tips.

Dos:

Wear comfortable footwear
Check the weather and dress appropriately
Bring a bottle of water (no glass)
Feel free to ask your Expert anything

Don'ts:

Bring firearms or weapons
Bring sharp objects (e.g. knives, swiss army knives, switchblades, hiking sticks)
Dress inappropriately to enter religious sites or sacred monuments

Any questions? You can always contact us.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.

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.

447 Reviews

The Montmartre Tour with Christopher was our last tour before leaving Paris. You might assume we'd be tired after multiple tours by then, but quite the contrary. Christopher was engaging, knowledgeable, and made Montmartre come alive as we walked, with stories and the historical figures making Paris their home. It was the Paris of our imaginations, with the amazing Sacré-Coeur, and winding cobblestone streets that housed writers and artists that influenced us all. We chose to visit a cemetery which was informative. Plein air artists of various styles filled the square. The view from the mount was unparalleled. Christopher was very flexible and deftly tailored the tour to our particular interests as well. Wonderful! Thank you! Bruce and Robin

Bruce Apr 30, 2026

Christopher is exceptionally knowledgeable about the history of Montmartre and we learnt a lot about the Roman origins of the Mount of the Martyrs and the fascinating history of the impressionist painters who lived there. Highly recommend this informative tour.

Judith Apr 14, 2026

Kasia was wonderful. Loved her energy. Our only feedback would be to speak a little louder on the streets as sometimes it would be difficult to hear. I think the substance in Montmartre is difficult compared to other parts of Paris. If we had it to do again, we would prefer spending more time on the sights at the end (artists/market/old church/sacre coeur) and less time on the places where people used to live, but that's just a personal preference.

Karyllan Apr 6, 2026

Join passionate experts on intimate walking tours that reveal a city’s unique stories, spark conversations, and leave you seeing the world—and yourself—a little differently.

Structured, never scripted

Your interests guide your Expert, leading to stories and perspectives that matter to you.

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With ten or fewer guests, ask questions, engage with your Expert, and fully immerse yourself.

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