Exclusive Walk, Private Or Semi-Private

Montmartre District and Sacre Coeur - Exclusive Guided Walking Tour runs through Babylon Tours Paris. Rated 5.0 across 410 reviews. Runs 2.5 hours. From $63.49.

Overview

This walk starts outside the Blanche metro exit on Line 2 and spends two and a half hours climbing through Montmartre with a guide reserved for your group. A semi-private option costs less and shares the guide with other travellers. The route traces the district's artist years: Van Gogh's former house, the Dalida statue, the Jardin Sauvage Saint-Vincent, Montmartre's only vineyard and the front of the Au Lapin Agile cabaret, before the longest stop of the day, 20 minutes at Sacre-Coeur, then Place du Tertre and further stops that end the walk in Montmartre itself.

Art history is the thread. Review after review describes guides as knowledgeable about the district and its history. Restaurant and bakery tips are another recurring theme, with guides recommending places to eat and drink for the rest of a Paris stay.

It suits walkers of moderate fitness; the listing asks for exactly that and describes the route through Montmartre's hilly streets. Rain does not stop it. Wheelchair users cannot be accommodated, pushchairs can, and anyone hoping to enter the Moulin Rouge or the cabaret should note those are outside stops with entry not included.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Metro BlancheYour guide waits outside the Line 2 exit at Blanche, on the opposite side of the stairs next to the BLANCHE metro sign. The tour runs rain or shine.
2. Moulin RougeA 10 minutes stop at the Moulin Rouge. Admission is not included, so this is an outside look.
3. Van Gogh's House10 minutes at the building where Van Gogh lived. Admission is not included and the stop is exterior.
4. Dalida Statue10 minutes at the statue, with free access.
5. Garden and Vineyard10 minutes in the Jardin Sauvage de St-Vincent and 10 minutes at the Vigne du Clos Montmartre, the district's only vineyard. Both are free.
6. Au Lapin Agile10 minutes at the historic cabaret. Entry is not included, so the visit is from the outside.
7. Sacre-Coeur Basilica20 minutes at the basilica, the longest single stop, with free admission. The listing cautions that heightened security at some attractions can affect interior visits.
8. Place du Tertre15 minutes in the square, free of charge.
9. Final Montmartre stops10 minutes each at the Dali Museum Paris, where entry is not included, then Le Bateau-Lavoir, La Maison de Dalida and Place des Abbesses, all free. The tour ends here in Montmartre rather than back at Blanche.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points before booking, drawn from the listing and from recurring comments in traveller reviews.

• Hills and pace. The listing asks for a moderate level of physical fitness and describes the hilly streets of Montmartre. One traveller described the pace as good, with no dawdling and no rushing.
• Rain or shine. The tour operates in all weather conditions and travellers are asked to dress appropriately. The operator suggests an umbrella in case of rain and a hat during summer.
• Shoes and bags. Comfortable shoes and a bottle of water are recommended by the operator. Large bags and suitcases are not allowed on the tour.
• Ask for tips. Multiple travellers said their guide pointed them to boulangeries, restaurants and other things to do in Paris, and one group reported going back to a recommended bakery after the tour. Reviewers also mention guides who fielded every question the group raised, so it pays to ask.
• Finishing up top. The walk ends in Montmartre itself rather than looping back to the metro at Blanche. Plan your route down, or a taxi, with that in mind.
• Contact number. The operator asks for a mobile phone number with country code at booking. The meeting spot is outside the Blanche metro exit on Line 2, next to the BLANCHE sign.

Common issues. The route is not wheelchair accessible, and the listing describes the hilly streets and asks for a moderate fitness level. Entry to the Moulin Rouge, Van Gogh's house, Au Lapin Agile and the Dali museum is not included, those stops are exterior only, and heightened security means the inside of some attractions can be closed on the day. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, and the walk ends in Montmartre rather than back at the Blanche meeting point. National celebrations can force an alternative route, with no refund or discount in those cases.

Choosing Your Tour