Sacre-Coeur and Montmartre
A white domed basilica crowning the hill of Montmartre - Paris's bohemian artists' quarter of steep lanes, cafes and a sweeping city view.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
The white domed Basilica of Sacre-Coeur crowns the hill of Montmartre, the highest point in Paris, its steps and terrace giving a sweeping view over the whole city. Below it winds the old bohemian artists' quarter, once home to Picasso and Renoir, a village of steep cobbled lanes, cafes, the Place du Tertre of portrait painters and a surviving vineyard.
What you actually see
- The basilica - the white-domed church and its city-view terrace.
- The Montmartre lanes - the steep cobbled streets of the old artists' quarter.
- Place du Tertre - the square of portrait and street artists.
- The city panorama - the sweep over Paris from the steps.
When to go
Year-round; a clear day or sunset for the view over Paris. Early morning gives the quieter, more atmospheric Montmartre before the crowds and the touts.
Honest expectations
It is very touristy, so the steps and Place du Tertre are crowded and the artists and touts pushy; the quieter back lanes hold the real charm. Beware pickpockets and scammers on the steps. The dome climb charges; the terrace view is free.
Nearby
The Moulin Rouge is downhill in Pigalle; central Paris spreads south.
What to pack for Sacre-Coeur and Montmartre
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
