In the bustling streets of Montmartre you can’t avoid the tourist traps. But, a few steps away from the crowds, you’ll find the Musée de Montmartre (Montmartre Museum). It stands quite apart, on rue Cortot.

The museum

The museum’s main house, the Hôtel Demarne, is the oldest in Montmartre. It was once the home of several renowned artists, whose names are associated with the area. It’s worth looking up the history. The Maison Bel Air is also part of the site.

One room is set out as a small bar of the Belle Epoque period. A place of this type is known as un zinc, because the bar itself traditionally had a zinc top. You can also see the atelier and apartment, a reconstruction of the workshop and accommodation used by several of the artists in the early years of the twentieth century.

There are lots of things to see, and music from the period, which is playing in the background, adds to the atmosphere.

The Musée de Montmartre has a superb permanent collection, which focuses on the history of the district. It also has temporary exhibitions, which change regularly. For those who don’t read French, most of the exhibits in the museum have short English descriptions. Original documents haven’t been translated.

You will probably recognise the posters of Le Chat Noir, by Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen, and Aristide Bruant, by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. They were often reproduced, and are still very popular. You can buy prints in the gift shop.

After looking around, you’ll probably want to know more. The Musée de Montmartre stimulates lots of ‘I must look that up later’ moments. So take your notebook.

Stay longer…

After you’ve seen the exhibitions, there’s more to do.

On the ground floor, the stylish Café Renoir serves tea, coffee, and light snacks.

Afterwards, you can wander through the spectacular Jardins Renoir (Renoir Gardens). Among the trees, information panels draw attention to several spots that you might recognise, from well-known Impressionist pictures.

Go behind the house, and look at the famous Clos Montmartre vineyard. The old plantings still produce wine every year.

Visiting the site is an ideal way to spend a leisurely hour or so, and afterwards you can move on to see all the other attractions in the immediate vicinity.

Further afield

The Museum is just a few minutes walk from the Basilique du Sacré Coeur (the Basilica). Make time to go inside and look around

The Village of Montmartre is a fascinating area, with shops, galleries and bars. You’ll probably want to go back to see more on another visit.

On most days, there are local artists at work in the Place du Tertre. You can buy some art or pose for a portrait.

In the central square, and on the streets nearby, there are some great restaurants, with indoor and outdoor service.

Stay until sunset and see some of the most spectacular views in Paris, from the steps of the Basilica.

See our Francy That! article on The Art Of Montmartre.

Information

Entry cost: There is a range of prices for the museum, special exhibitions and the gardens.
Opening times: Museum – Every day, from 10am to 6pm; Café Renoir – Every day, from 11.30am to 6pm.

Hints for visiting the Musée de Montmartre

You will see that the closest Metro station is Abbesses, but avoid it if you can. The steep spiral staircase is not fun! Instead, take the Metro to Anvers, cross the road, walk a little way up the hill, past all the souvenir shops. Then take the funicular up to the Basilica of Sacré Coeur. 

Website

Visit the Musée de Montmartre website for more information. There’s also a short video to show you what to expect at the site.

Getting there

Address: 12 rue Cortot (18th Arr.)
Metro: Anvers – Line 2; Lamarck-Caulaincourt – Line 12 (then take the Funicular to the summit of Butte Montmartre)