Editorial illustration of Montmartre streets and roofs near Sacré-Cœur

Six areas · one living district

Montmartre, area by area.

From the summit to Goutte d’Or, choose an area that suits your time, mobility and interests. Each place has its own pace and daily life.

Find your bearings

The hill is more than one stop.

The summit, Abbesses and Pigalle look close on a map, but their slopes, atmospheres and opening times differ. On a first visit, pair two neighbouring areas. A full day allows a museum, a break and a detour to the northern slope or another part of the 18th. The illustrations below convey each area’s atmosphere; they do not document a particular address.

Sacré-Cœur · Tertre · rue Cortot

The summit and Place du Tertre

This is Montmartre’s best-known area: the Sacré-Cœur forecourt, artists at Place du Tertre and streets near the Musée de Montmartre. It is compact, yet queues, cobbles and crowds slow a visit. Make time for Saint-Pierre church, then leave the busiest routes by rue Cortot. The basilica is a place of worship; entry and dome visits have different conditions.

Arrival: Anvers or funicular; many slopes and steps.

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Rue des Saules · Saint-Vincent · Abreuvoir

The northern slope and vineyard

The northern slope retains residential streets, gardens and views of Clos Montmartre. Rue de l’Abreuvoir leads toward Place Dalida; higher up, rue Saint-Vincent follows the vineyard. You can see the vines from the street, while access inside depends on special visits or occasions. Explore on foot, preferably early in the day, and respect residents and building entrances.

Arrival: Lamarck–Caulaincourt; cobbled, hilly route.

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Place des Abbesses · rue Lepic · Bateau-Lavoir

Abbesses and rue Lepic

Around Place des Abbesses, cafés, shops and residential streets extend a summit visit. Rue Lepic combines market life with the history of the windmills; Place Émile-Goudeau recalls the Bateau-Lavoir studios. Abbesses metro station has deep stairs, so the lift may be more comfortable. Access to the Wall of Love and Square Jehan-Rictus may be restricted; check the City listing before going.

Arrival: Abbesses, line 12; deep station.

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Boulevard de Clichy · Blanche · rue des Martyrs

Pigalle and the southern stages

At the foot of the hill, Pigalle connects theatres, cinemas, concert venues and shopping streets. Its atmosphere changes markedly from morning to evening. Check venue programmes before planning a night out and confirm transport times for the return. Cultural places extend beyond the boulevard’s major names into smaller stages and bookshops on nearby streets.

Arrival: Pigalle or Blanche; busy boulevard traffic.

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Lamarck · avenue Junot · Grandes-Carrières

Lamarck and Caulaincourt

This side of the hill mixes sloping streets, neighbourhood cafés and routes toward gardens. It offers a gentler approach than the direct climb from Anvers. Avenue Junot shows another face of Montmartre, while streets in Grandes-Carrières lead toward Montmartre Cemetery. A walk here connects heritage with everyday life without trying to fit every monument into one hour.

Arrival: Lamarck–Caulaincourt, line 12; slopes vary by route.

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Rue Dejean · Barbès · Goutte d’Or

Château Rouge and Goutte d’Or

East of the hill, Goutte d’Or has its own markets, shops, studios and cultural venues. It deserves an attentive visit on its own terms, guided by local businesses and resources. Rue Dejean is especially lively during market hours. Respect stalls, ask before photographing anyone and allow time to explore streets beyond the main route.

Arrival: Château Rouge, line 4, or Barbès–Rochechouart.

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Continue exploring

Plan your route.

A full itinerary, guides for the time you have and a searchable directory turn these bearings into a practical visit.

Pair the areas

Three ways to shape your visit.

These suggestions give you an order of travel. Timing depends on indoor visits, breaks, hills and crowds.

01 · About 2 hours

Summit then northern slope

Start at Sacré-Cœur, pass Saint-Pierre and Place du Tertre, then take rue Cortot. Descend toward the vineyard by rue Saint-Vincent and finish near Lamarck–Caulaincourt. Save museum visits for a longer outing. Cobbles and slopes call for comfortable shoes.

02 · Half a day

Abbesses, summit and museum

Start at Abbesses, climb via rues Lepic and des Trois-Frères, then allow time for the Musée de Montmartre and Renoir Gardens. Return by the northern slope or head back to Abbesses shops. Check museum hours and access before booking.

03 · Full day

From market to stage

Spend the morning on northern streets or at an 18th-arrondissement market, then pause around Abbesses. Keep the afternoon for a museum or a slower walk. Finish in Pigalle with a film, show or concert whose programme you have confirmed.

Practical questions

Before choosing where to start.

Which area for a first visit?

The summit and Abbesses offer the best-known landmarks. With two hours, stay on the summit and one slope; with half a day, add a museum or nearby area.

Where can I walk more quietly?

The northern slope and streets around Lamarck are often calmer than the Sacré-Cœur forecourt and Place du Tertre, especially in the morning. This varies by day and event.

Can I avoid stairs?

The funicular avoids steps on its section between the foot and summit. Streets remain steep and sometimes cobbled. Check venue accessibility and current transport status before setting out.

Is Goutte d’Or part of Montmartre?

Goutte d’Or is a distinct neighbourhood of the 18th arrondissement, east of the hill. This guide includes it to help you explore the surroundings while recognising each area’s own identity.