Paris Montmartre Walking Tour & Sacré-Cœur Entry Max 12

Summary

Montmartre’s winding hills, cabarets, and artists’ secrets in Paris

You’ll walk Montmartre’s winding lanes with a small group and local guide, tracing artists’ footsteps from Moulin Rouge to Van Gogh’s house and inside Sacré-Cœur Basilica itself. Expect stories you won’t find in guidebooks, hidden gardens buzzing with bees, and time to soak up both city views and lively squares. It feels less like sightseeing—and more like stepping into someone else’s memories.

What’s the experience like?

We met our guide—her name was Camille, big scarf and all—right at the foot of the Moulin Rouge. It was still early enough that the red windmill looked sleepy, but there were already a few locals ducking into the bakery across the street. Camille started us off with a story about Renoir sneaking sketches in cafés here (she swore he’d have hated Instagram). We wound up Rue Lepic, past Van Gogh’s old place—just a regular building now, if you didn’t know—and I caught this faint smell of coffee drifting out of someone’s window. There was this moment where I almost tripped on the uneven cobblestones because I was craning my neck for a better look at those tiny Parisian balconies. Happens to everyone, right?

It got steeper as we climbed toward Sacré-Cœur. The group thinned out a bit; some folks lingered by Place Dalida, touching her bronze hand for luck (Camille said it’s tradition, but she winked like maybe she made that up). The wild garden patch by Jardin Sauvage de St-Vincent surprised me—ivy everywhere and bees humming so loud you could hear them over traffic. We peeked through Clos Montmartre’s fence at twisted old vines, and I tried to imagine grape harvests happening right in Paris. Not what I pictured before this day trip Montmartre tour from central Paris.

Inside Sacré-Cœur Basilica it was cool and echoey, sunlight spilling through stained glass onto the mosaic overhead. Someone started singing quietly near the altar—maybe a visitor or a local who just needed that moment—and for a second everyone just stopped talking. Outside again, Place du Tertre was buzzing: painters waving at tourists, cafés clattering plates, someone sketching an older couple who kept giggling when they caught each other’s eye. Our guide pointed out Amélie’s café (yes, that one), but honestly by then I was just happy to sit for five minutes and watch people go by.

I thought I knew what Montmartre would be like from photos and movies—it’s not quite like that in person. It’s messier and more alive; you can smell baking bread one minute and see street art the next. By the time we ended near Abbesses metro station (those art nouveau signs really are something), my feet hurt but in a good way. Still thinking about that view from Sacré-Cœur—Paris looking soft around the edges in late afternoon light.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Montmartre and Sacré-Coeur highlights

• Meet at tour starting point
• Visit Moulin Rouge cabaret
• See Van Gogh’s house on Rue Lepic
• Walk through Place Dalida square
• Stroll past Jardin Sauvage de St-Vincent
• Visit Le Clos Montmartre vineyard
• See Le Lapin Agile cabaret
• Enter Sacré-Coeur Basilica and explore inside
• Pass by Place du Tertre artists’ square
• Visit Espace Dali museum
• See Bateau-Lavoir artist residence
• View La Maison de Dalida house
• End at Abbesse metro station

Top questions

How long does the Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur walking tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours from start to finish.

Is entry to Sacré-Cœur Basilica included?

Yes, you’ll enter Sacré-Cœur Basilica as part of the walking tour route.

What is the maximum group size for this tour?

The group size is capped at 12 guests for a semi-private experience.

Does this day trip Montmartre tour include pickup?

No hotel pickup is included; you meet your guide at the designated starting point near Moulin Rouge.

Are children allowed on this walking tour?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult as some topics may be adult-themed.

Is this Montmartre walking tour suitable for strollers?

Infants and small children can ride in prams or strollers during the tour.

Will we see Van Gogh's house during the tour?

You’ll pass by Van Gogh's former residence on Rue Lepic as part of the itinerary.

What happens if it rains during my tour?

The walking tour runs rain or shine; bring an umbrella or raincoat just in case.

What’s included

Your day includes a 2.5-hour semi-private walking tour with an expert local guide through Montmartre’s historic streets, entry into Sacré-Cœur Basilica for time to explore inside, plus stops at iconic spots like Moulin Rouge, Place du Tertre, Clos Montmartre vineyard, Au Lapin Agile cabaret, and more before finishing near Abbesses metro station—all with no more than 12 guests per group.