Metro 12
Lamarck–Caulaincourt
Northern slope and vineyardStart near rue des Saules and Clos Montmartre, then reach the summit through sloping streets. This avoids beginning with the climb from the boulevard.
See a matching route →
Before you go
Travel light, stay curious.
Access, timing, mobility, crowds and useful habits: a few simple choices let you enjoy the hill without fighting the slopes or rushing from place to place. Prepare the essentials, then leave room for the unexpected.
Choose your arrival
Four stations, four ways to begin.
The nearest station on a map is not always the easiest starting point. Choose the side of the hill and the direction of the slope first. Services and access can change: check your journey with RATP ↗.
Metro 12
Abbesses
Rue Lepic and local shopsArrive in the heart of Abbesses. The station is deep and streets keep climbing toward the summit; use the station lift if its stairs are difficult.
See a matching route →Metro 2
Anvers
Sacré-Cœur from belowSquare Louise-Michel and the funicular lie on the approach to Sacré-Cœur. Plan an ascent, by steps or funicular according to your needs.
See a matching route →Metro 2 · 12
Pigalle
Venues and southern slopeStart here for performance venues and a walk uphill toward Abbesses. If you prefer a downhill route, keep Pigalle as your finishing point.
See a matching route →Four useful pointers
Plan the visit.
Montmartre looks compact on a map, but its relief changes how distances feel. By choosing an arrival station, time and two or three priorities, you avoid unnecessary fatigue and keep energy for detours.
Getting here
Metro line 12 serves Abbesses and Lamarck–Caulaincourt, while line 2 reaches Anvers and Pigalle. Choose a station to suit the direction of your walk rather than automatically aiming for Sacré-Cœur; starting in the north and walking downhill is less tiring. Much of the upper hill is pedestrianised, parking is scarce and driving can be awkward, making metro, bus and walking the simplest options.
Going up
The funicular avoids the long staircase through square Louise-Michel and operates as public transport, requiring validation for each ascent or descent. It accepts the tickets and passes listed by RATP as well as contactless payment where available. Walkers can use the steps or take gentler streets around the slope. Save some energy: a full visit involves many cobbles, stairs and changes of level.
Pick your time
Before 9 am, the northern slope and streets around the vineyard are quieter; after 7 pm the light softens and performance venues come alive. Between 10:30 am and 5 pm the basilica advises that a 10–15 minute wait may be necessary. Sunny weekends and holidays are naturally busier. With a full day, alternate visits, pauses and detours rather than concentrating everything around place du Tertre.
Be considerate
Montmartre is a visitor destination, but first it is a neighbourhood where people live, work and care for their surroundings. Keep voices low in residential streets, do not block doorways, ask before photographing people or shop interiors, and take litter with you. In churches, adapt dress and behaviour to services. Buying from a craftsperson, stopping at an independent café or visiting a local museum also supports life beyond the postcard image.
Opening hours and prices can change. Always check the venue’s official website on the day of your visit.
Everyday essentials
Useful places in the 18th.
Markets, libraries, family support, community services and hygiene facilities: these hours come from City listings. Some places follow school calendars or close for works; always check the current period on the source before travelling.
15 documented resources
Market
Marché Ornano
Tuesday 7 am–1:30 pm · Friday 7:30 am–1:30 pm · Saturday 7 am–2:30 pm
Open-air food market.
Boulevard Ornano, entre les rues du Mont-Cenis et Ordener · Simplon / Jules-JoffrinOfficial hours ↗Market
Marché Barbès
Wednesday 7 am–1:30 pm · Saturday 7 am–2:30 pm
Large food market beneath the elevated Métro.
Boulevard de la Chapelle, face à l’hôpital Lariboisière · Barbès-RochechouartOfficial hours ↗Market
Marché Ney
Thursday 7 am–1:30 pm · Sunday 7 am–2:30 pm
Open-air food market in the north of the 18th.
Boulevard Ney, entre les rues Jean-Varenne et Camille-Flammarion · Porte de MontmartreOfficial hours ↗Market
Marché Ordener
Wednesday 7 am–1:30 pm · Saturday 7 am–2:30 pm
Neighbourhood food market.
Rue Ordener, entre les rues Montcalm et Championnet · Grandes-CarrièresOfficial hours ↗Covered market
Marché de l’Olive — La Chapelle
Tuesday–Saturday 9 am–8 pm · Sunday 8:30 am–1:30 pm
Covered food hall; individual traders may keep their own hours.
10 rue de l’Olive · La ChapelleOfficial hours ↗Flea market
Marché aux Puces de Clignancourt
Saturday, Sunday and Monday 7 am–7:30 pm
The area spans several markets and streets; individual stall hours vary.
Avenue de la Porte-de-Clignancourt et rue des Entrepôts · Porte de ClignancourtOfficial hours ↗Library
Bibliothèque Robert-Sabatier
Tuesday–Friday 2–7 pm · Saturday 10 am–6 pm
Over 100,000 items, study spaces, Wi-Fi, digital help, a public writer and the SABLAB makerspace.
29 rue Hermel · Jules-JoffrinOfficial hours ↗Library
Bibliothèque Goutte d’Or
From 1 September: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 1–7 pm · Wednesday and Saturday 10 am–6 pm · closed Sunday and Monday · Period valid through 17 October 2026.
Home delivery, adapted resources and a dedicated contact service for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors.
2-4 rue Fleury · Goutte-d’OrOfficial hours ↗Library
Bibliothèque Maurice-Genevoix
Term-time: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 2–6 pm · Wednesday and Saturday 10 am–6 pm · Period valid through 17 October 2026.
Garden library focused on environmental awareness and community support.
19 rue Tristan-Tzara · Chapelle-CharbonOfficial hours ↗Library
Bibliothèque Václav-Havel
Term-time: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 1–7 pm · Wednesday 10 am–7 pm · Saturday 10 am–6 pm · Period valid through 17 October 2026.
Books, films, video games, computers, study space, Wi-Fi and possible French Sign Language assistance.
26 esplanade Nathalie-Sarraute · Pajol / La ChapelleOfficial hours ↗Library
Bibliothèque Jacqueline-de-Romilly
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 2–7 pm · Wednesday 10 am–7 pm · Saturday 10 am–6 pm
Wi-Fi, computers, games, conversation workshops, home delivery and children’s activities.
16 avenue de la Porte-de-Montmartre · Porte de MontmartreOfficial hours ↗Families
Maison des 1 000 premiers jours
Tuesday 9:30 am–12:30 pm · Thursday 9:30 am–12:30 pm and 2–5:30 pm · other days by programme
Free, unconditional support for expectant parents and parents of young children; additional activities follow the City programme.
16 rue Cavé · Goutte-d’OrOfficial hours ↗Community
Maison de la Vie Associative et Citoyenne du 18e
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10 am–6:30 pm · Thursday 1:30–7 pm · Saturday 10 am–2 pm
Information, support, rooms, registered addresses and resources for associations and collective projects.
15 passage Ramey · Jules-Joffrin / MarcadetOfficial hours ↗Hygiene
Bains-douches Ney
Monday–Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 7:30 am–1 pm · Sunday 8 am–12:30 pm · closed Thursday
Free individual shower cubicles; bring toiletries and a towel. Last entry 30 minutes before closing.
134 boulevard Ney · Porte de ClignancourtOfficial hours ↗Hygiene
Bains-douches Les Amiraux
Tuesday–Saturday noon–6 pm; closed Sunday and Monday. Confirm hours before travelling.
Free individual shower cubicles; a shower is limited to 20 minutes. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.
6 rue Hermann-Lachapelle · Simplon / MarcadetOfficial hours ↗Frequently asked questions
Before heading uphill.
The answers below provide a reliable basis, but transport, access and hours may change. For an important requirement, always consult the official source on the day.
Do I need to book Sacré-Cœur?
Entry to the basilica is free and individual visitors do not need to book. According to its official website, the sanctuary opens daily from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm. A 10–15 minute wait may be necessary between 10:30 am and 5 pm. It remains a place of prayer: services continue during visits, appropriate dress and silence are requested, and photography is restricted in the nave.
How much is the funicular and how can I pay?
RATP lists a single fare of €2.55 in August 2026. Direct contactless payment accepts CB, Visa and Mastercard on a card, phone or watch; the same card can validate up to four passengers. Compatible tickets and passes are also accepted. Each ascent or descent is a separate journey.
Is Montmartre accessible for reduced mobility?
Slopes, cobbles, narrow pavements and stairs require particular planning. Gentler street routes exist and some venues have adapted access, but accessibility is not uniform in older buildings. Sacré-Cœur lists lift access at 35 rue du Chevalier-de-la-Barre, behind the basilica, during specific hours. Contact museums, restaurants or venues directly if a lift, accessible toilet or companion seat is essential.
When does the area become pedestrian-only on Sundays?
Under the Paris Respire scheme, the Montmartre area is announced as closed to motor traffic every Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm, throughout the year. The scheme can exceptionally be adjusted or cancelled, so check the City of Paris page on the day.
How much time should I allow?
Two hours allow a first walk between Lamarck, the vineyard, place du Tertre and Sacré-Cœur without an in-depth visit. Half a day adds a museum and a break; a full day extends the route to Abbesses and Pigalle. Always allow extra time for queues, photographs, slopes and detours. Montmartre does not reward a stopwatch visit.
Can I visit with children?
Yes, provided you adapt the distance and include breaks. The funicular avoids some steps, gardens and small squares offer breathing space, and museums may provide activities depending on their programme. A light pushchair is easier on cobbles, though some stairs require detours. Avoid stacking too many monuments: a short walk, a snack and one well-chosen visit often work better.
Trusted links
Useful official sources,
in one place.
Hours, closures, works, transport and programmes can change, sometimes on the day itself. These resources are the references to consult before travelling. Check update dates, alerts and special conditions; for bookings, essential access requirements or a particular event, contact the venue directly.
01
Mairie du 18eLocal life, services and news
↗02Ville de ParisPlaces, opening times and services
↗03Paris je t’aimeParis tourist office
↗04Musée de MontmartreCollections and Renoir Gardens
↗05Sacré-CœurOfficial hours and access
↗06RATPFunicular and transport
↗07Le Vieux MontmartreHistory and heritage preservation
↗Compare and decide
Details that avoid an unnecessary journey
| Your choice | Plan for | Check this |
|---|---|---|
| Metro then funicular | Check validity for each journey | The Métro-Train-RER ticket does not provide a transfer between the funicular and other modes |
| Basilica lift access | 35 rue du Chevalier-de-la-Barre | This entrance operates 8:30 am–7 pm, separately from basilica hours |
| Water, toilets, suitcases | Identify services before climbing | Choose two break options and leave luggage in advance |