Optional Tasting Upgrade, 1.5-Hour Art Walk

Paris Montmartre Walking Tour Best Art Culture and Food runs through ExperienceFirst. Rated 4.9 across 2,874 reviews. Runs 1.5 hours. From $36.94.

Overview

This 90-minute walk is run by ExperienceFirst and gathers in front of the Saint-Jean de Montmartre church on Rue des Abbesses, where the guide holds an orange sign. From there the group sets off through a district famous for its artists and bohemian past, pausing at places connected to Van Gogh, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Pissarro. Along the way the guide covers art, music, food and local history, and the route passes the exterior of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica rather than going inside.

The walk finishes at La Bonne Franquette, a historic restaurant on Rue des Saules, where the listed stop lasts 45 minutes. A wine and cheese tasting at that restaurant is available only if you pay for the upgrade; the base tour includes the guided walk and nothing edible.

The tour suits people who want their bearings in Montmartre and some stories they would never find alone. It is wheelchair and pushchair accessible and capped at 25 travellers. It is not a good fit for anyone hoping to enter the Basilica with the group or expecting a meal as part of the standard price.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Saint-Jean churchCheck in 15 minutes early in front of the Saint-Jean de Montmartre church at 19 Rue des Abbesses, where the guide holds an orange ExperienceFirst sign.
2. Guided walk through MontmartreA roughly 90-minute guided walk past sites tied to Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec and Pissarro, with commentary on the area's art, music, food and history.
3. Sacré-Coeur exteriorThe route passes the outside of the Basilica. Entry is free when open, and the guide gives tips for visiting on your own afterwards.
4. La Bonne FranquetteThe tour ends at this historic restaurant, with a listed stop of 45 minutes. A wine and cheese tasting here is optional and costs extra.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape whether this walk works for you, drawn from the listing and from what multiple travellers reported afterwards.

• Arrive early. The listing asks travellers to check in 15 minutes before the start, since the tour leaves on time. One reviewer noted that map directions can lead to the wrong side of the church, so allow a margin to find the front entrance on Rue des Abbesses.
• Hills and fitness. The route has no stairs but does cross hills and narrow, sometimes busy streets. The listing recommends a moderate level of physical fitness, and the operator suggests booking only if you feel confident you can comfortably finish the walk.
• Group size. The tour runs with a maximum of 25 travellers. Across recent reviews, travellers repeatedly describe their guides as knowledgeable, and several also call them personable or friendly.
• Food is optional. The base price includes no food. Wine and cheese at La Bonne Franquette is an upgrade, and the listing describes it as an optional tasting at a historic restaurant.
• Weather and access. The walk runs in all weather, so dress accordingly. It is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, and the meeting point is near public transport.
• Self-guided Basilica visit. The group only passes the exterior of Sacré-Coeur. Entry is free when it is open, and the guide shares tips so you can go back and explore on your own after the tour.

Common issues. Guides rotate and experiences vary: one reviewer called the explanation poor and basic. One reviewer also reported that online map directions pointed to the back of the meeting-point church rather than the front. Gratuities and Basilica entry are not covered, and the wine and cheese tasting costs extra. Refunds require cancelling at least 24 hours before the start time.

Choosing Your Tour