Sacré-Cœur: decoding a Montmartre symbol

Tour format and languages

Our exclusive tour “Sacré-Cœur: decoding a Montmartre symbol” offers a fascinating dive into the history of this iconic neighborhood, as you explore the streets around the Sacré-Cœur and the top of the Butte. To ensure a high-quality experience, this offbeat discovery is only available by advance booking.

Booking options

• Individual visitors and families: book online via our ticketing system or contact our customer support team.
• Private groups: send your request to visite@cultival.fr with details of your needs (language, group profile, expectations).
• International visitors: tours available in French or English, with additional languages possible on request.

Language options
For groups, we offer tours in nine languages: French, English, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Italian, Armenian, German and Japanese. Groups with their own interpreters are also welcome, just let us know when booking so the guide can adapt accordingly.

Prepare for your visit
To enjoy your experience to the fullest, we recommend arriving 10 minutes before the scheduled time indicated on your ticket. The meeting point is near the Saint-Pierre Church, at the foot of the Sacré-Cœur. This tour is conducted exclusively outdoors, and admission is only granted upon presentation of your ticket. No ticket sales are available on-site.

Important information

Facilities: this outdoor walking tour around the Sacré-Cœur does not include guaranteed access to restrooms. We recommend making personal arrangements beforehand. Public toilets are available nearby, especially at Abbesses metro station and Place du Tertre, though their availability is not guaranteed.

Accessibility: the route around the Sacré-Cœur is partially accessible to people with reduced mobility via the Montmartre funicular and certain adapted paths. However, due to the steep incline and numerous staircases of the Butte, the walk may pose challenges. Please contact us if accessibility adjustments are needed.

Weather policy: in case of severe weather that prevents the tour from going ahead, Cultival reserves the right to postpone the visit.

What to bring

This walking tour is entirely outdoors and does not include cloakroom access. Please travel light and dress appropriately for a 1h30 walk through the streets of Montmartre. Comfortable shoes are strongly recommended due to the hilly terrain and stairs.

Photos
Photography and video are allowed throughout the visit, feel free to capture this unique part of Paris.

How to get there

Located in Paris’s 18th arrondissement, Montmartre and the Sacré-Cœur sit atop the city’s most famous hill. This landmark district is easily accessible from anywhere in the capital and is the perfect starting point for exploring Paris’s artistic and bohemian spirit.

• Metro: Abbesses (line 12) – closest to the meeting point. Other options: Pigalle (lines 2 & 12), Anvers (line 2)
• Funicular: Montmartre funicular (from Anvers station) – a great alternative to climbing the Foyatier staircase
• Bus: Montmartrobus (electric loop), lines 30, 31, 80, 85 • On foot: via the Foyatier staircase (about 300 steps) or sloped streets from different access points
• Vélib’: several bike stations are available at the bottom of the hill (note: steep incline for the climb)

Extend your Montmartre experience

The 18th arrondissement, home to Montmartre, is filled with artistic, cultural, and culinary gems that will enrich your exploration of this legendary district and the Sacré-Cœur.

Art and bohemian heritage :

• Place du Tertre, just steps from the Sacré-Cœur, is still alive with portrait artists and caricaturists. This historic square, once the heart of the Montmartre village, preserves the bohemian spirit that inspired Picasso, Renoir, and Toulouse-Lautrec.
• The Moulin Rouge and Moulin de la Galette, symbols of Montmartre’s festive past, tell the story of Parisian cabarets and Belle Époque nightlife.
• Montmartre’s vineyards, the last in Paris, offer a surprising sight in the heart of the city. Every October, the Fête des Vendanges celebrates this unique local wine tradition.
• The Bateau-Lavoir, a legendary artist studio where Picasso developed Cubism, is a landmark of modern art history. Though rebuilt, it evokes the creative energy of early 20th-century Paris.

Places of memory and spirituality :

• Saint-Pierre de Montmartre Church, the tour’s starting point, is one of Paris’s oldest religious sites (1134), featuring ancient columns and Merovingian capitals.
• Montmartre Cemetery is the final resting place of famous figures such as Dalida, François Truffaut and Émile Zola (temporarily).
• The peaceful setting offers a reflective escape from the bustling city.
• Halle Saint-Pierre, a vibrant center of outsider and singular art, hosts original exhibitions in a beautifully preserved 19th-century building.

Green spaces and panoramic views :

• Square Louise Michel, at the foot of the Sacré-Cœur, is perfect for a relaxing break with playgrounds and stunning views of Paris.
• The Sacré-Cœur gardens offer tiered terraces with views from all angles of the basilica and its rare Byzantine architecture.
• Parc de la Turlure, a lesser-known elevated park, provides a quiet space with panoramic views over Montmartre, ideal for unwinding after the tour.

Montmartre food scene :

• La Mère Catherine, one of Paris’s oldest bistros (1793), offers traditional French fare on Place du Tertre.
• Rue Lepic and Rue des Abbesses feature gourmet cheese shops and artisan bakeries with a distinct village spirit.
• Legendary venues like Le Lapin Agile still bring the French chanson and cabaret tradition to life today.

This walk through and around the Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre gives you access to an authentic side of Paris, p where exceptional heritage, artistic creativity and relaxed living coexist, far from the standard tourist trails.

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