Self-Guided Walking Tour of Montmartre, Paris’ Bohemian District

Montmartre is one of my favorite places in all of Paris.

Overlooking the romantic city from the hilltop of the 18th arrondissement, Paris’ bohemian district is one place you MUST VISIT when you travel to Paris!

Characterized by winding cobblestone streets, historical houses (like La Maison Rose!), and charming restaurants, Montmartre is the “heart and soul” of Paris.

When I visited Montmartre with my family, I planned a self-guided walking tour around the district’s most notable places. This self-guided walking tour is perfect for families and budget travelers who want to visit Montmartre at their own pace!

Here’s my self-guided walking tour itinerary for Montmartre!

Want to download a map of my self-guided walking tour of Montmartre? SEE BELOW!

Start at the Anvers metro station, one of the city’s unique Art Nouveau stops, decorated with the iconic Haunted Mansion-esque ghoulish font and looming vibrant light posts. This metro station is easily accessible from all areas of Paris and will mark the start of an exciting stroll around Paris’ Bohemian district.

From the Anvers metro station, walk through Square Louise Michel to the first location on your Montmartre, self-guided walking tour: the Sacré Coeur Basilica.

Located at the top of the hill (walk to the top, or take the funicular!) and visible from many areas in Paris, construction on the Sacré Coeur Basilica first began in 1875, during the Franco-Prussian war. Construction of the beautiful basilica took nearly forty years to complete. Today, the Sacré Coeur Basilica, “the sacred heart” represents exactly its namesake – the beautiful religious structure is not only the heart of Montmartre, but also the heart of Paris! The climb to the top of Montmartre butte is worth it for the incredible views of Paris!

To the right of the Sacré Coeur Basilica is Montmartre’s iconic, instagram-worthy “sinking house”. This romantic structure appears to sink beneath the Montmartre’s hilly landscape, attracting tourists from all over the world to see the wonder of optical illusion! 

Are you a huge fan of Midnight in Paris, like me? Midnight in Paris, my favorite movie, is a film about writer Gil Pender, who dreams of living in a different time period. This movie was filmed all over the city of Paris. Montmartre, specifically Rue de Chevalier de la Barre, was one of the famous streets where Gil Pender and Picasso’s mistress, Adriana, stroll as they experience nostalgia for the past.

Head down Rue de la Bonne and walk to Parc Marcel Bleustein Blanchet, one of Montmartre’s quaint, peaceful grassy knolls with amazing views of the city. This peaceful park was once the site of an old windmill. Parc Marcel Bleustein Blanchet is the perfect place to enjoy a French pastry!

Continue walking along Rue St. Vincent, where you’ll first pass by Paris’ oldest vineyard, Vigne du Clos Montmartre. Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, Montmartre became a haven for artists, painters, poets, etc., making the district unofficially “artistic” and bohemian. To discourage development in this hilly location, Vigne du Clos Montmartre was established in 1933. French law prohibits development on vineyards, so to this day, the vineyard represents the fierce cultural preservation of Montmartre’s beauty. Hosting a variety of grapes, the vineyard generally produces blends, and much of the profits are funded back into the local community! Though access to the vineyard is limited, Vigne du Clos Montmartre is worth passing by!

Also nearby Rue St. Vincent is Cabaret au Lapin Agile, a 19th century traditional cabaret, perfect for a night out on the town!

At last, the place you’ve all been waiting for, La Maison Rose, Montmartre’s iconic, instagrammable “pink house” (you’ve probably seen it all over Pinterest!). La Maison Rose has been a romantic site for artists and travelers for over 100 years. Opened in the early 1900s by Laure Gargallo Pichot and her husband, a painter named Ramon Pichot Girones, this unique Parisian landmark has been a haven for artists, including Picasso, for over a century. The gorgeous pink house even inspired a famous painting by artist Maurice Utrillo.

Looking for a historical detour? A short walk from La Maison Rose is Musée de Montmartre, a quaint history museum about the romantic bohemian district. This museum is a perfect place to escape the summer heat and learn about Montmartre!

Deemed one of the most beautiful locations in Paris for its cobblestone streets and impressionist-like houses, Rue de L’Abreuvoir is a perfect place to admire this arrondissement’s romantic style. As you walk along this street, you’ll pass Buste de Dalida, a statue of the famous French singer, Dalida, who lived in Montmartre. Continue walking to Suzanne Buisson Square, a perfect grassy park where you can relax and enjoy the park.

As you walk along Rue de Girardon, you’ll approach the famous Le Moulin de la Galette, which features a strikingly beautiful windmill atop the French restaurant. This beautiful scene is featured in one of Renoir’s famous paintings, Bal du Moulin de la Galette, “Dance at the Moulin de la Galette”. Renoir is one of the many artists to immortalize the picturesque scenes of the bohemian neighborhood.

Now it’s time to walk to one of Montmartre’s most famous locations, Place du Tertre, the location of many artists, caricaturists and painters alike! Walk along Rue Lepic to Rue Norvins, where you’ll continue walking until you reach “caricature avenue”. Place du Tertre is the busiest area in Montmartre, so if you are traveling to Paris during peak season, I recommend getting to Place du Tertre early! Around this area are several incredible restaurants including Chez Eugene and Le Poulbot! Also nearby is the Dalí Museum, a celebration of the works of the famous Spanish surrealist.

Along Rue Ravignan is the famous Place Émile Goudeau, a location of several former workshops that supported the ambitions of famous artists like Pablo Picasso. The Bateau Lavoir, “the laundry boat”, became an art studio for impressionists, surrealists and other types of artists. In the early 1900s, Pablo Picasso moved into the Bateau Lavoir. In this studio he painted Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. Tragedy struck Le Bateau Lavoir in the 1970s when a fire erupted, destroying the historical studio. The building standing today is a modern reconstruction of what once was.

After strolling by the artist’s headquarters, continue along Rue de Abbesses, one of the most charming and “instagrammable” streets in all of Paris. Beautiful cafes and typical Parisian restaurants line this street, representing the culture of Paris. You’ll eventually reach a park near Abbesses metro, a perfect place to catch the train back into the city. However, nearby is The Wall of Love, a mural which features “I love you” in over 250 languages. This is a perfect photo spot to visit when you travel to “the city of love”!

For travelers with interest in the macabre, a visit to the Montmartre Cemetery (Cimetière du Nord) is sure to pique your interest! To get there, walk along Rue des Abbesses to Rue Caulaincourt to reach the cemetery. This cemetery is the third largest cemetery in Paris, and hosts the graves of famous composers, artists, poets and authors!

This is the last stop of your self-guided walking tour of Montmartre (unless you want to make it a loop and head over to La Halle Saint Pierre bookstore and museum! READ BELOW!).

The Belle Epoque, Paris’ golden age, saw a rebirth of culture after the Franco-Prussian war in 1870. This period saw momentous cultural and scientific innovations, with new art and literary movements transforming Paris into the romantic capital we know of today. The Moulin Rouge, established by business partners Joseph Oller and Charles Zidler, saw the opening of a cabaret – a daring, flamboyant venture that turned heads. People from all walks of life, rich and poor, visited this debaucherous, naughty venue to enjoy the pleasures of the Bohemian district. The Moulin Rouge is unmistakable with the red windmill marking the location of this famous cabaret. To this day, dancers dazzle under the sparkling lights, kicking their legs high into the sky. A show is certainly worth seeing if you visit Paris!

Your self-guided walking tour of Montmartre is now (mostly) complete! From Blanche metro station or Pigalle, all areas of Paris can be accessed. If you want to make your self-guided walking tour a loop, consider catching the Blanche metro to the Anvers station (starting point), or walk back to the start, and visit the beautiful La Halle Saint Pierre bookstore and museum!

Enjoy Montmartre!