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Montmartre is well known for its lively atmosphere, nightlife and many attractions. That's why it attracts millions of tourists every year. The area has been home to painters and artists for centuries, making it an especially fascinating place to visit if you are looking for culture and art while visiting Paris.
If you don't want to miss out on this unique and important tourist attraction, there's nothing better than visiting Montmartre with a Free Tour like the ones we offer at GuruWalk.
One of the essential stops in Montmartre is the Moulin Rouge, one of the most famous cabaret establishments in Paris. It was established in 1889 and is now a landmark of Parisian culture. Moulin Rouge has been seen as one of the most influential entertainment venues because it has paved the way for modern nightclubs.
Moulin Rouge is named after La Moulin de la Galette, a windmill that was built in 1716 on top of the hill from which Rue des Moulins takes its name. In the 18th century, this windmill was a landmark for the road to Montmartre and was also a popular place for artists to gather and draw inspiration from this natural beauty.
If you're a fan of the film Amelie, you're sure to be familiar with the Café deux Moulins. The café was founded in 1887 by two brothers, Georges and Frederic Moulins. They named the café after their father's surname, deux moulins, which means two mills.
Georges, the elder brother, was born in 1866 and Frederic in 1870.
Georges was an artist who became a renowned painter of life in Parisian street scenes and his younger brother Frederic would be a pioneer of cinema, as well as an inventor of cameras and film equipment.
The café is now owned by world-famous French film director Claude Lelouch, who has added his own personal touches, such as adding a painting of Marilyn Monroe to one of its walls.
And speaking of artists, we can't miss the opportunity to visit places in Montmartre with direct links to great masters such as Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso and Pierre Auguste Renoir.
Of course, we cannot forget the Sacre Coir, which has been "crowning" the visit to Montmartre since its beginning.
The Sacre Coir de Montmartre basilica was built in 1864. The basilica is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris.
The Sacré-Cœur, or Sacré Coeur, as it is often known, was commissioned by Napoleon III to commemorate the victory of France and its allies over Prussia and the German states at the Battle of Sedan on 2 September 1870.
The basilica has no crypt or basement and there was never a cemetery on this site. The church cost some ten million francs to build, a very considerable sum for the time.
As you can see, Montmartre is one of the must-see tourist sites in Paris.