Montmartre is one of Paris’ most beautiful districts. The neighbourhood’s unique charm sets it apart from the city’s busy atmosphere, resembling some of the picturesque towns in southeastern France.
Until 1860, Montmartre was a village on its own, separate from the capital. That same year, Paris underwent a significant expansion and Montmartre became part of the city, called the 18th arrondissement.
Montmartre’s beauty inspired many artists when it was still a village, and to this day, is home to many gorgeous sights. You’ll find some of the best things to see in Montmartre below, including popular and lesser-known sites that capture this district’s unique charm.
1. The Walker Through Walls (Le Passe Muraille)
If you’re roaming through Montmartre, take the time to look at this unique statue, known as Le Passe Muraille – The Passer Through Walls. The sculpture is related to a story with the same title, about a man called Dutilleul who uncovers that he can walk through walls.
Written by Marcel Ayme, the story follows as Dutilleul uses this ability to take revenge and carry out burglaries to his advantage. He is caught and put in prison, which he naturally escapes from.
Dutilleul falls in love with a married woman and becomes her lover, but one night, after leaving her side, he loses his power after walking through her house walls, leaving him trapped in stone.
The statue was made in 1989 by sculptor Jean Marais, in tribute to the story and its author.
Its lower hand has a different finish to the rest of the statue, weathered and shiny from tourists pretending to pull the man out from the wall. The sculpture is much larger than a regular man and located high up on the wall, making the hand difficult to reach.
An unusual site to see in Montmartre, Le Passe Muraille captures the imagination of visitors and lets them interact with a piece of literary history.

2. Sacré Coeur Basilica
We couldn’t create a list of the best things to see in Montmartre without mentioning the Sacré Coeur!
The Scaré Coeur Basilica was built at the heels of the Franco-Prussian War, among the turmoil of the Paris Commune. The building was eventually consecrated in 1919 and has since become France’s second-most-visited church.
At 213 meters high, the Sacré Coeur is the second highest point in Paris. The basilica is also situated on top of Montmartre hill, which is 130 meters high. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a breathtaking view of Paris, in addition to the building’s beautiful architecture.
The Sacré Coeur always looks gleaming white, thanks to the architect, Paul Abadie. He chose to build the basilica out of a particular substance located in the Souppes quarries. The stone is water-resistant, but in the case of rainfall, it releases calcite, a self-cleaning mineral which keeps the building white.
You can visit the Sacré Coeur every day of the year, as well as bank holidays, between 6:00 am and 10:30 am. Entry is free, but remember that the basilica is a religious site, so make sure you respect the building’s tranquil culture.
3. Le Mur des Je T’aime – The Wall of Love
Another one of the best things to see in Montmartre is the Wall of Love. Located around the Place des Abbesses, the wall, known as Le Mur des Je t’aime, is one of Paris’ most romantic sights.
The deep blue wall was made by artists Claire Kito and Frederic Baron in 2000, using over 600 lava rock tiles to build it. The wall has the words ‘I love you’ written on it in around 250 different languages.
You’ll find splatters of red across the blue wall, which are meant to depict the broken hearts of the isolated human race. The wall’s purpose is to reconnect divided humans and show the power of love, through an everlasting monument.
The Wall of Love is a must-see on your Parisian tour, particularly if you’re looking for romantic spots to enjoy with a partner.
At Yellow Moon Tours, our skilled team have tons of experience creating custom tours for couples, families, and single travellers.
If you want to see as many of Montmartre’s sites as possible, or fancy focusing on a few select landmarks, Yellow Moon Tours has your back.
Ready to create memories that you’ll cherish forever? Get in touch with us to book your private tour today.

4. La Maison Rose – The Pink House
The Rue de l’Abreuvoir is one of Montmarte’s most gorgeous streets. Elegant old buildings lie across its streets and transport visitors back in time. If you’re looking for beautiful sights, La Maison Rose, or the Pink House, is one of the best things to see in Montmartre. This iconic restaurant lies on the street and is a popular tourist destination, renowned for its distinct pink-painted walls.
This famous Montmartre restaurant has been open since 1908, a favourite among past artists who lived in the area. Notable patrons included Picasso and Salvador Dali, who were friends with the owner.
La Maison Rose is still a beloved landmark and delivers amazing food experiences today, having kept its same appearance for over 100 years. The restaurant is especially beautiful in summer when the owners place signature green tables outside. Just keep in mind that it’s one of Montmartre’s most photographed places, so you may struggle to take a picture without tourists in the foreground.
The house serves classic French cuisine, so it’s worth a visit if you’re interested in trying traditional French food. Nevertheless, La Maison Rose is one of the prettiest eateries in Montmartre, so be sure to stop by and take in its charming sights.
5. The Sinking House of Paris
This peculiar Parisian attraction has become more popular due to pictures shared on social media. The Sinking House of Paris isn’t really sinking – it’s an optical illusion of a building that looks like it’s on its side, plunging into the grass.
It can be hard to find this lesser-known location, but if you’re up for a challenge, consider finding it when you’re roaming around Montmartre. It’s worth a visit if you’re visiting the Sacré Coeur, as the Sinking House is right by the basilica.
You’ll need to walk uphill to get to the building, which takes around ten minutes. As you make your way along the final flight of stairs next to the basilica, you’ll notice a patch of grass on the right. The building is located right behind this, which, thanks to its vivid orange hue, is hard to miss!
To take the optical illusion picture, you’ll need to hold your camera so it looks like the grass is even. However, if you plan on doing this, bear in mind that the lawn here is fenced off. You’ll have more luck taking your pictures along the stairs.

There we have it! We hope you enjoyed this post on the best things to see in Montmartre.
Got questions? Contact us at info@yellowmoontours.com or +02032903665 to book your private tour today. You can also check out our social media on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Written by Rosh for Yellow Moon Tours, the private tours specialist covering Paris, London, New York and Ireland.