Semi-Private Montmartre Tour | From Le Moulin Rouge to Sacré-Cœur

The LivTours Montmartre semi-private tour showcases the best of this ironic artistic hilltop neighborhood. What started as a village beyond the outskirts of Paris proper, the charming, hilly Montmartre neighborhood retains the special air of a French town complete with active windmills and with winding cobblestone passageways. A stroll through these streets will leave you longing to be an artist, or at least to go back in time to rub elbows with Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Pablo Picasso, van Gogh and a multitude of other well-known European artists. With the Moulin Rouge at the bottom of the hill that makes up the neighborhood of Montmartre, the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur at the top, and a vineyard in the middle, you will begin to understand what drew them to the neighborhood and what inspired them.

This charming, romantic, and bohemian neighborhood is a perfect when you are looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of central Paris or when you want to inspire your inner artist.

• Admire the inspirational and iconic Moulin Rouge
• Stroll past historic apartments where Picasso, Renoir, and Van Gogh once lived
• Soak in the artistic ambiance of the photogenic Place du Tertre
• Take plenty of selfies by the sublime Sacré-Cœur Basilica & its hilltop view
• Hear stories of how the great artists of the 1800s lived (and partied)

Your semi-private LivTours’ Montmartre Tour starts in front of the iconic Moulin Rouge where you will meet your guide and your fellow travelers. Your guide will share why the Moulin Rouge came to be and who graced the stage and were the ‘regulars’ when it opened in 1889 – the same year Paris hosted the Universal Exposition and unveiled the Eiffel Tower.

Just behind the Moulin Rouge, you will follow the cobblestone streets and soak up the village-like atmosphere of this distinct neighborhood. As you make your way further into the artistic district, your guide will draw your attention to Montmartre’s historic vineyard and the centuries’ old history behind some of the winemakers in the area. If you are lucky enough to be in Paris in the fall, make sure you take in the harvest festival as this vineyard is still produces lovely – and hyper-local – wine!

Due to its location just outside of what was officially Paris – this was a very affordable neighborhood in which to live 150 years ago. The affordability of the area certainly played a part in attracting artists searching for lower rent, fantastic light, and large spaces. Home to many great artists, your guide will point out the former homes of visionaries such as Van Gogh, Renoir, and Picasso.

You might think that one cabaret venue would suffice, but a stop by the oldest one, Au Lapin Agile is a ‘must.’ Edith Piaf was one of the greats who performed here; your guide will share with you the paintings that were inspired by this local cabaret that was so popular at the end of the 1800s. Montmartre’s artistic spirit is not limited to history books: several films have been set here in contemporary times, such as Woody Allen’s or the wonderfully French film Amélie. Your guide will point out those places where filming took place.

Before reaching the beautiful Basilica of Sacré-Cœur at the top of the hill, your guide will treat you to some delicious freshly baked bread from an award-winning bakery. Once you are recharged, it is time to walk the final blocks to Paris’s second most famous church and Montmartre’s most famous: Sacré-Cœur. One of the easiest landmarks to spot in Paris, the basilica was built in the 1800s. Your guide will give you a comprehensive explanation of its history and art, and share some lore behind the ‘Meringue of Paris.’

After enjoying the views and saying goodbye to your guide, feel free to pop inside for a visit.

• Moulin Rouge windmill
• Guided walk through Montmartre
• Former homes of van Gogh, Renoir, and Picasso
• Au Lapin Agile
• Cafe des Deux Moulins
• Fresh French bread tasting
• Sacré-Cœur (from outside)

All LivTours Semi-Private Group Tours are limited to 6 guests per tour guide. Our commitment to maintaining our uniquely tiny group sizes can sometimes be a little tricky, mathematically speaking. For example, we want to ensure that traveling families and friends can tour together so on rare occasions we may add one or two guests in order to not split groups. On that same note, you may also find yourself on tour with less than six people! We thank you for your understanding and flexibility.

 

 

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By selecting Choose Dates Later / Buy as Gift at booking, any tour can be purchased without fixed dates. This is the perfect option if you want to purchase your tour as a gift for a loved one, or if you are in the pre-planning phase of your vacation. After booking, you will receive a Travel Voucher Code and full instructions on how to schedule your tours when ready. Once your travel plans are confirmed, you can easily use the Travel Voucher Code on the LivTours website to formally schedule your tours. You can find out more here.