The white domed Basilica of Sacré-Cœur on the hilltop of Montmartre overlooking Paris, France

🇫🇷Montmartre / Sacré-Cœur

Explore Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur: free entry, funicular rides, street artists, and the best view in Paris. A brilliant half-day destination for families.

Your family guide

Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur with kids: basilica, artists and Paris views

“Watch the entire city shrink beneath you from the Sacré-Cœur terrace, then stumble down cobblestone backstreets where portrait artists still actually work.”

— San & Jo

Perched on Paris's highest hill, Montmartre feels like a village that somehow ended up inside one of the world's great cities. Visitors climb steep cobblestone streets, watch artists paint portraits at Place du Tertre, and arrive at the gleaming white Sacré-Cœur Basilica to find a panoramic view across the entire city spread out below. It is one of those rare places where the journey up is just as memorable as the destination at the top.

What makes Montmartre so good for families is how much of it is completely free. The Sacré-Cœur interior, the historic streets, the vineyard, and the sweeping terrace views cost nothing at all. You can ride the funicular up the hill on a standard metro ticket, let the kids watch street artists at work, and finish the afternoon with steak frites at a classic Parisian bistro. There is no pressure, no rigid schedule, and no single attraction you have to rush through.

The neighbourhood also has a quieter side that most visitors never find. Step away from the basilica and Place du Tertre and you will discover residential streets lined with century-old trees, hidden staircases, and a genuinely bohemian atmosphere that has drawn artists here for over a century. Montmartre rewards families who slow down and explore.

Paris, France18th arrondissement

Mostly freeSacré-Cœur entry is free

Best April, OctoberMild and walkable

Best things to do

Best things to do in Montmartre / Sacré-Cœur

Step inside the Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Entry to the basilica is completely free, and the interior is genuinely breathtaking. The enormous mosaic of Christ above the altar spans more than 475 square metres, making it the largest mosaic in France. Kids tend to go quiet when they walk in, which is quite the achievement.

Visit early morning to avoid crowds and enjoy the calm atmosphere

30-45 min

Climb to the dome for Paris's second-best view

The dome of the Sacré-Cœur is the second-highest viewpoint in Paris after the Eiffel Tower. You climb around 280 steps to reach it, which older kids and teens will love as a mini challenge. The view across the city on a clear day is spectacular.

A small entry fee applies for the dome: check the official website for current prices

45-60 min

Ride the funicular up the hill

You do not have to tackle the long staircase with a pushchair or tired little legs. The funicular runs from the bottom of the hill to the top and accepts a standard Paris metro ticket. Toddlers and younger children especially love the ride, and it saves everyone's energy for exploring.

Use a regular t+ metro ticket: no separate purchase needed

5 min

Watch artists at work on Place du Tertre

This historic village square at the summit of Montmartre has been filled with working artists for generations. You can watch painters at their easels and even have a family portrait done on the spot. Kids find it fascinating to watch a painting take shape in real time.

Portrait prices vary by artist: agree on a price before sitting down

30-60 min

Photograph the famous steps at sunset

The steps leading up to the Sacré-Cœur via Square Louise Michel are one of the most photographed spots in Paris, and for good reason. In the evening light, with the white basilica glowing above, it is genuinely stunning. Arrive about 30 minutes before sunset for the best colours.

The steps are also beautiful on rainy evenings when the lights reflect on wet stone

20-30 min

Find the Café des Deux Moulins from Amélie

The café made famous by the film Amélie is still here and still serving coffee and food. Older kids and teens who have seen the film will get a real kick out of visiting. It is a working café, not a museum, so you can actually sit down and order.

Located on Rue Lepic, a short walk downhill from Place du Tertre

30-45 min

Explore the quiet streets behind the basilica

Most visitors see only the front of the Sacré-Cœur and Place du Tertre. Walk around to the residential streets behind and you find a completely different Montmartre: peaceful, leafy, and full of character. This is where the neighbourhood's bohemian soul really lives.

Rue Lepic and Rue des Abbesses are both beautiful and much less crowded

45-60 min

Our verdict

How Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur score for families

Kids

The funicular, the artists, the dome climb, and the sweeping views give children plenty to engage with. Most of it is free, which takes the pressure off.

Culture

Impressionist history, a world-record mosaic, the oldest church in Paris, and a living artistic tradition. Montmartre is one of the most culturally rich neighbourhoods in Europe.

Food

Classic Parisian bistro food done well, with affordable options at Bouillon Pigalle and charming local spots in the residential streets. Not the most child-menu-heavy area, but French bistros are generally welcoming to families.

Nature

The hill itself offers green spaces and tree-lined streets, and Square Louise Michel is a pleasant park at the foot of the steps. Not a nature destination, but greener than most of central Paris.

Budget

Surprisingly family-friendly on the wallet. The Sacré-Cœur interior, the streets, and the views are all free. Only the dome and certain museums cost anything.

Planning your visit

How long should you spend in Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur?

2 hours

Quick visit

Ride the funicular, step inside the basilica, and take in the view from the terrace. A solid taster if you are short on time.

sweet spot

4 hours

Sweet spot

Enough time to explore Place du Tertre, wander the quieter streets, find the Amélie café, and sit down for a proper bistro lunch. This is how most families enjoy it best.

1 day

Full day

Add the dome climb, a leisurely lunch, the Saint-Pierre church, and a sunset on the steps. A full day lets you really settle into the neighbourhood's pace.

Fun facts

Things to know about Montmartre / Sacré-Cœur

The basilica cleans itself

The Sacré-Cœur is built from a special white travertine stone that releases a mineral called calcite when it rains. This actually bleaches the surface, keeping the basilica bright white despite all of Paris's urban pollution. The more it rains, the cleaner it gets.

Someone has been praying here every single day since 1885

Since the basilica opened in 1885, there has been an unbroken chain of prayer inside the Sacré-Cœur, every hour of every day, without a single gap. That means someone was praying there during both World Wars, every storm, and every night for over 140 years.

The world's biggest mosaic took 22 years to finish

The enormous mosaic covering the ceiling above the altar inside the Sacré-Cœur depicts the Risen Christ, the Virgin Mary, Joan of Arc, and an Archangel. It took 22 years to complete and covers more than 475 square metres, making it the largest mosaic in France.

Taste Montmartre

Where to eat with your family in Montmartre

French onion soup

Must try

Bouillon Pigalle

Rich, slow-cooked onion broth topped with a thick crust of melted cheese. It is one of the great French classics and exactly the kind of warming dish you want after a long walk up the hill. Kids who like cheese tend to be instant fans.

Steak frites

Kids love it

Bouillon Pigalle

A simple, honest plate of pan-fried steak with crispy fries. Bouillon Pigalle serves a classic version at genuinely affordable prices for Paris, and the bustling atmosphere makes it a fun place to eat with children.

Coffee and a crêpe

Local favourite

Café des Deux Moulins

Sit down at Café des Deux Moulins, the café from the film Amélie, and order a coffee for the grown-ups and a crêpe for the kids. It is a working café, not a tourist trap, and the atmosphere is genuinely Parisian.

Confit de canard

Safe choice

Le Bistrot du Maquis

Slow-cooked duck leg, crispy on the outside and tender all the way through. Le Bistrot du Maquis in the quieter residential streets behind the basilica does a lovely version, and it is a great spot for a relaxed dinner after watching the sunset.

Crème brûlée

Daily treat

Brasserie Barbès

The classic French dessert with a caramelised sugar crust that you crack with a spoon. Children love the ritual of breaking through the top, and it is on almost every traditional bistro menu in Montmartre.

More places in Paris & Île-de-France

6 places

Champs-Élysées & Arc de Triomphe

Walk the Champs-Élysées, climb the Arc de Triomphe, and watch the evening flame ceremony. A half-day Paris experience that's genuinely impressive.