5 Must-sees in Montmartre Paris

Janine Marsh
Arty, Paris, Romantic

Place du Tertre

Place du Tertre is a short walk from the Basilica Sacré-Coeur. It is here that many artists set up their easels and tempt passers-by with their works of art. It’s very touristy for sure, but it’s also very charming and somehow seems to retain an air of authenticity despite the crowds.

This area is pretty whatever the time of day or night, all year round and there are plenty of cafés to sit and watch the world go by. Some of the restaurants have live music at night which adds to the ambience and makes for a great night out.

Place de la Turlure

Take a break from the crowds in this little park behind the Sacré-Coeur Basilica. It’s a sweet place to rest your feet and get your breath back. There was once a windmill here, the Moulin de Turlure, hence the name.

Museum of Montmartre

Browse the artworks inside the house where artists such as Renoir, Susan Valadon and Maurice Utrillo once lived. It’s an eclectic and truly wonderful collection and the building has a charming and authentic feel to it. There are works by Toulouse-L’Autrec, Modigliani, Valadon and Utrillo. Plus there’s a room dedicated to the French can-can and a rare collection of zinc plates of dreamlike scenes from shadow theatre such as Le Chat Noir cabaret of the 19th century. Afterwards take a wander in the tranquil garden where Renoir’s swing will captivate you as will the view over the oldest vineyard in Paris and the famous Au Lapin Agile cabaret. It looks like a village house with its pretty wooden fence and pink walls and is where Picasso and Hemingway once enjoyed a show or two and, you still can to this day.

Rue Cortot

At the bottom of this leafy road in which the Museum of Montmartre sits alongside pretty villa style houses, you’ll find the much photographed Maison Rose. It’s a street with a village vibe and for me, represents a different side to the hilltop district that’s somehow gentler.

Sacré-Coeur

The church that looks like a wedding cake and glistens at the top of the hill is one of the most iconic landmarks of Paris. From the steps in front of it you’ll enjoy a panaromic view of the capital and if you have a head for heights and don’t mind shelling out a few Euros, you can climb to the top of the church for a 360° view from the dome. Inside the church is the largest mosaic in France, 480m² across the colourful ceiling.