Montmartre is Paris with a hillside twist: steep staircases, tiny “village” streets, artists’ squares, and the bright-white Sacré-Cœur Basilica sitting at the top like a beacon. The best way to enjoy Montmartre is to plan how you’ll climb the hill (stairs vs funicular), which metro stop you’ll use, and a simple walking loop so you don’t waste time backtracking.
Quick visitor snapshot ✅
Best time to go: early morning (calmer photos) or late afternoon into sunset 🌇
Time needed: 2–4 hours for the classic loop; ½ day if you add museums 🎨
Don’t miss: Sacré-Cœur (free), the dome view, Place du Tertre, a few quiet backstreets, and at least one “Montmartre café stop” ☕
Top things to do in Montmartre 📍
1) Sacré-Cœur Basilica (free entry) ⛪
Sacré-Cœur is open every day and the basilica visit is free. Official opening hours are 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Do inside: keep it short and simple—walk in, take in the scale, then save your energy for the viewpoints outside.
2) The Sacré-Cœur Dome (best 360° view) 🏙️
If you want the iconic panorama, the official dome visit is:
- 280 steps (no elevator)
- Typical hours listed as 10:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (last admission 5:00 p.m.), and it can close for weather/maintenance
- Price: €8 (adults 16+), €5 (children up to 15)
✅ Tip: do the dome right after the basilica—same area, same “effort zone.”
3) Square Louise Michel + the famous stairs (or the funicular) 🪜
At the base of the hill is the classic approach: climb the steps for photos, or skip the workout with the Montmartre funicular (details below). Paris’ official tourism office notes the funicular ride takes about 1 minute 30 seconds, and it’s designed to avoid the 222 steps up to the basilica.
4) Place du Tertre (artists’ square) 🎨
This is the postcard square where artists set up easels. Paris’ tourism office even mentions a regulated number of artist spots (small “pitches”) in the square—so it’s intentionally curated, not random chaos.
⚠️ Common mistake: sitting down for a “quick portrait” without agreeing on the full price first.
5) Musée de Montmartre + Renoir Gardens 🌿
This is the best “real Montmartre” museum stop—quiet, historic, and paired with gardens.
Official practical info:
- Hours: daily 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (last entry 45 minutes before closing)
- Official listed full price (during exhibition period): €16, with reduced categories and a gardens-only option
- Access: Metro Line 12 Lamarck–Caulaincourt or Line 2 Anvers + funicular, and Bus 40 stops nearby
6) Dalí Paris (Espace Dalí) 🌀
If you want something different (and indoors), Dalí Paris is a fun, compact visit.
Official info:
- Open daily 10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (last entry 6:00 p.m.)
- Tickets: €16 full price (reduced options listed)
How to get to Montmartre 🚇🚌🚖
Best metro stations (choose based on your plan)
- Abbesses (Metro Line 12) — RATP says this is the closest station to Montmartre.
- Anvers (Metro Line 2) — best if you want the funicular + Sacré-Cœur approach.
- Lamarck–Caulaincourt (Metro Line 12) — excellent for a quieter entry and for Musée de Montmartre access.
Bus options 🚌
If you prefer buses (or want fewer stairs), the area is served by several lines; the Musée de Montmartre info specifically highlights Bus 40 access.
Montmartre funicular: tickets, hours, and the 2026 fare rules 🎟️
Operating hours ⏱️
Paris’ official tourism office lists the funicular as open 7 days a week, 6:00 a.m. to 12:45 a.m.
What ticket do you need? 💳
For 2026, Île-de-France Mobilités lists the single Metro–Train–RER ticket at €2.55 (full fare).
Important detail (very easy to miss): Île-de-France Mobilités states that when you use the Metro–Train–RER Ticket on the Montmartre funicular, it’s valid for the funicular ride but without connecting/transferring to other modes on that same ticket.
✅ Practical takeaway: treat the funicular as its own paid ride unless you’re using a pass/card that covers your full trip.
A perfect Montmartre walking route (2.5–3.5 hours) 🚶♀️📍
This loop is designed to minimize backtracking and maximize “classic Montmartre” moments.
Option A: Classic “Sacré-Cœur first” loop
- Metro Line 2 → Anvers
- Walk up toward Square Louise Michel → take funicular (or stairs)
- Sacré-Cœur (inside) + terrace viewpoint
- Dome climb (if you’re doing it)
- Walk to Place du Tertre
- Continue to Musée de Montmartre + Renoir Gardens
- Wander downhill via Abbesses / Rue des Abbesses area and finish wherever you’re hungry ☕
Paris’ official tourism office highlights this area as the perfect starting point for exploring places like Place du Tertre and classic Montmartre landmarks once you’re up top.
Option B: “Quiet entry” loop (less crowded feel)
- Metro Line 12 → Lamarck–Caulaincourt
- Walk toward Musée de Montmartre first (calmer)
- Continue to Place du Tertre
- End at Sacré-Cœur near sunset
- Descend via funicular to Anvers for an easy exit
Hours and operating times ⏱️
| Place | Typical official hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sacré-Cœur Basilica | 6:30–22:30 daily | Free entry |
| Sacré-Cœur Dome | Listed hours include 10:15–17:30 (last entry 17:00) | Can change for season/weather/maintenance |
| Montmartre Funicular | 06:00–00:45 daily | Same price as a metro ticket (per Paris tourism office) |
| Musée de Montmartre | 10:00–19:00 daily | Last entry 45 min before close |
| Dalí Paris | 10:00–18:30 daily | Last entry 18:00 |
Tickets / prices / cards (realistic budget) 💳
| Item | Price (official sources) |
|---|---|
| Sacré-Cœur Basilica | Free |
| Sacré-Cœur Dome | €8 adults (16+), €5 children (≤15) |
| Funicular ride | Uses Metro–Train–RER ticket; tourism office says same price as a metro ticket |
| 2026 single Metro–Train–RER ticket | €2.55 full fare |
| Musée de Montmartre (full, exhibition period) | €16 (official rate list) |
| Dalí Paris | €16 full price (official info page) |
✈️ Airport connections (CDG & ORY → Montmartre)
From CDG (Charles de Gaulle) ✅
Paris Aéroport states:
- RER B runs from 4:50 a.m. to 11:50 p.m. from CDG 2 TGV
- A single ticket costs €14
Simple route: RER B → Gare du Nord, then Metro Line 2 → Anvers for the funicular/Sacré-Cœur approach.
From ORY (Orly) ✅
Paris Aéroport notes:
- Metro Line 14 connection (about 25–26 minutes to Châtelet)
- Requires the Ticket Paris Région <> Aéroports (€14)
From Châtelet, a straightforward metro combo is: Line 4 → Barbès–Rochechouart → Line 2 → Anvers (then funicular or stairs).
Tips and common mistakes ✅⚠️
✅ Go early for photos. Montmartre gets busy fast (especially the Sacré-Cœur steps + Place du Tertre).
✅ Use the funicular strategically. Go up with the funicular, wander the hill, walk down through the streets (more charming than climbing).
⚠️ Watch for “too-good-to-be-true” street offers near the busiest stair areas (typical tourist pressure spots).
⚠️ If you use a single Metro–Train–RER ticket on the funicular, don’t assume it includes transfers—Île-de-France Mobilités explicitly warns about no connections on that use-case.
✅ Pick your station based on your legs: Abbesses is “closest,” but Anvers + funicular is often easier.
FAQ
What is the best metro stop for Montmartre?
RATP says Abbesses (Line 12) is the closest station to Montmartre.
What are the Sacré-Cœur opening hours?
The official basilica site lists 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily, and entry is free.
How much does the Sacré-Cœur dome cost?
Official dome pricing is €8 (16+) and €5 (≤15), with 280 steps and no elevator.
What time does the Montmartre funicular run?
Paris’ tourism office lists it as 6:00 a.m. to 12:45 a.m., daily.
Can I use a single metro ticket on the funicular?
Yes—the Metro–Train–RER ticket can be used on the funicular, but Île-de-France Mobilités notes it’s without connecting to other modes on that use.
Conclusion
Montmartre is at its best when you treat it like a hillside walk, not a checklist: arrive via the right station, use the funicular to save energy, do Sacré-Cœur + the dome for the view, then slow down around Place du Tertre and the quieter museum-and-gardens side of the hill. With a simple loop, Montmartre becomes one of the most memorable “Paris days” you can have.
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