Paris Montmartre Walking Tour: Moulin Rouge, Artists & Vineyards

Summary

Montmartre’s winding streets reveal Parisian art legends, café life and quiet corners

You’ll wander Montmartre’s tangled streets with a local guide, starting at the Moulin Rouge before winding past artists’ studios, hidden cafés, and Paris’ last vineyard. Expect little surprises: oil paint in the air, quiet moments near Sacré-Cœur, stories about Picasso trading art for food—and maybe even forgetting your phone exists for a while.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely crossed the street from the Métro when our guide, Camille, waved us over to the edge of Boulevard de Clichy—right in front of that wild red windmill. The Moulin Rouge looks different in daylight, less glittery but still buzzing; you can almost hear echoes of old music if you stand still long enough. Camille started telling us stories about cabaret dancers and artists who paid for dinner with sketches. I was honestly more focused on dodging a delivery scooter than being poetic at first—but then we turned up a narrow lane and everything got quieter except for our footsteps on cobblestones.

Place du Tertre was next, full of painters hunched over canvases and tourists giggling at caricatures. It smelled like oil paint and crêpes. Someone tried to sketch me (I declined—my hair was doing something odd that day). We stopped outside what used to be Picasso’s studio; Camille pointed out a window with peeling blue shutters. “He lived right there,” she said, “before anyone cared who he was.” There’s something about seeing those places in Montmartre where Van Gogh or Dalí actually walked—makes it feel less like history and more like someone’s weirdly messy apartment block.

Au Lapin Agile looked smaller than I’d pictured—a pinkish building with a sign showing a rabbit leaping out of a saucepan. Apparently Picasso once swapped paintings for dinner here. The air smelled faintly sweet from somewhere (maybe the bakery down the hill?). The group got quiet as we climbed towards Sacré-Cœur—the view over Paris really does sneak up on you. I didn’t expect to feel anything special but… yeah, I still think about that view sometimes.

Somewhere near Place Dalida, we passed an old man tending vines behind a fence—the last vineyard in Paris, Camille said. He nodded at us but didn’t smile; maybe he thought we were lost. By then my feet were tired but I didn’t want it to end yet. We finished by La Maison Rose—just as pastel as Instagram says—and I realized I hadn’t checked my phone once in two hours. That’s rare for me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Montmartre walking tour highlights

• Start at Moulin Rouge cabaret
• Visit Place du Tertre artists' square
• See Picasso's studio and Van Gogh's house
• Stop at Lapin Agile cabaret bar
• Walk to Basilica Sacré Coeur
• Explore la Place Dalida
• Visit Montmartre Vineyard
• See Café des Deux Moulins from Amélie
• View the famous La Maison Rose
• Discover Paris' Red Light District

Top questions

How long is the Montmartre walking tour?

The tour lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours depending on your guide and group.

Where does the Montmartre walking tour start?

The tour begins near the Moulin Rouge at the border of Montmartre in Paris.

Is this Montmartre district walking tour suitable for children?

Yes, children up to 13 years old can join for free (bring ID if needed).

What are some highlights included in this Montmartre walking tour?

You’ll see Moulin Rouge, Place du Tertre, Picasso’s studio, Au Lapin Agile cabaret, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Place Dalida, Montmartre Vineyard and La Maison Rose.

Is lunch or food included on this Montmartre tour?

No meals are included; however you’ll pass by many cafés and bakeries along the way.

Do I need special shoes for this Paris walking tour?

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended due to cobblestone streets and hills.

Does this day trip include hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup is included; public transportation options are nearby for easy access.

Are there public transport options close to Montmartre?

Yes, there are several Métro stations close to the meeting point at Moulin Rouge.

What’s included

This small-group walk through Montmartre includes guidance from a knowledgeable local who shares stories as you explore sights like Moulin Rouge, Place du Tertre, Sacré-Cœur Basilica and even Paris’ last working vineyard—all within roughly two hours on foot alongside fellow travelers.