This tour is also available as
a Private Tour.
The name of the neighbourhood comes from Latin Mons Martyrum and means “Hill of Martyrs.” It is associated with the quite creepy story of the first bishop of Paris, Saint Denis. He was beheaded by the Romans for not renouncing his faith. Afterwards, he collected his severed head and walked with it down the hill, where he finally dropped dead. So much the legend, but before it got world-famous, Montmartre was a simple, sleepy village set on the hill surrounded by vineyards, gardens, and orchards. As many as 13 mills were built on its slopes to grind wheat, barley, and rye. Of those only two survived and now people around the world recognize the mill as a symbol of this fascinating neighbourhood.
But finally the time has come when this sleepy village changed forever. Because of its many drinking establishments, cheap wine, low rents and specific, relaxed and friendly atmosphere, 19th century Montmartre became the hotbed where many artists from all corners of the world were flocking in. Who can tell what was first? The dancing halls, cafés, and cabarets like Le Chat Noir or Moulin Rouge where girls dancing the cancan were throwing their legs up indecently high or the artists settling down there and allowing for all that to happen. One is certain, Montmartre became the most interesting neighbourhood in Paris (and perhaps in the entire world) at the turn of the 19th and 20th century. Who has not lived, worked (drank, took drugs, had sex…) there? Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso, Modigliani, Matisse, Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec to name just a few.
Today Montmartre lures everyone with its colourful history, anecdotes, and scandals associated with the artistic community once living here, but it does not only dwell on the past! It is still one of the most intriguing Parisian quarters. A place looking as if it were taken straight from a fairy tale, with its steep, winding streets and crooked buildings overgrown with ivy. At almost every corner there is a café, restaurant, or drinking parlour you want to stop at. No wonder that until the present day it is loved both by artists, photographers, film directors as well as Parisians and tourists who are combing the streets in search of places famous from hit movies filmed here.
Join our tour to discover our favourite district of Paris and let yourself be enchanted by one and only Montmartre!
During this tour, you will see and discover:
Reuben was incredible! Touring the city with him felt almost like a theater where he brought to life the historical figures he shared insight and historical facts about. I felt excited to see what we would see next, never knew what fun fact would come next. Reuben was joyous, filled with energy and extremely informative, providing depth where needed and fun facts where appropriate.
Tank was the man!!!! Super knowledgeable and always had a warm smile on his face keeping the group happy
We had a very knowledgeable tour guide Thomas who is English but has a passion for art history and architecture and who made the tour so worthwhile. I confess to dragging my husband and 12 year old daughter along for our first walking tour, but they absolutely loved the stories of the history of the famous people of the district. We are walkers but don’t join a paid for tour. From us first timers, I highly recommend this website for an interesting tour. I am already looking for my next tour here.
Ruben was a super guide. Very knowledgeable and happy to answer all the questions. Great way to see the city and get the local insights
The tour of Montmartre was very interesting, thanks to the information gave to us from our guide and artist Raj!
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