Anyone have any favorite restaurants, stores, bakeries, etc in Montmarte? I haven't visited this neighborhood at all yet. I understand some areas can be fairly touristy with higher prices, and that there are also good deals to be found. Wondering if people who have stayed or explored Montmarte in detail can share any tips.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
'leave the touristy area and find the residential part' Huh ??? Not a lot of movement required. Look up. Just about everything above street level is residential. To get away from most of the tourists go on the back side of the hill, around Jules Joffrin or between Marcadet and Ordener. Obviously it's still commercial on the bottom level, but there's a few brasseries around where us poor folks eat.
Posted by
Savannah, GA
1382 posts
Hello Sarah, The best way to expolore Montmartre is to leave the touristy area and find the residential parts. There you will have a unique experience. I can only stomach the touristy area every once in a blue moon.
Posted by
Am Fork, UT, USA
84 posts
Touristy is not the word I would use for the Montmarte area especially near the Sacre Coeur. It is a sea of trinket sellers trying to get you to buy their wares. I was really quite mobbed by them and I was very annoyed at their pushy tactics and the way I had to say "no" extremely firmly many, many times. Rick Steves has a Montemarte walk in his guidebook which might suit your needs. Just beware of the area at the base of the steps to Sacre Coeur and near the funicular.
Posted by
Ohio
2161 posts
Sarah, I had a nice lunch at La Maison Rose (a crepe and French onion soup, nothing fancy but memorable). I thought the place was really cute and the food was good. The restaurant was one of the famous hangouts for artists and writers and is located across the street from the Montmartre Vineyard. It's in the RS book but he says that the food is lousy so it might not be too crowded!
Posted by
Boston
380 posts
Hi, Sarah I went to Sacre Coeur back in 1976 and was shocked at the commercialism inside the church then. I avoided the area on my second trip. But this time, my husband has not been, so we will go. But we are doing it less "touristy". First stop, Dali Museum, then walk along Rue des Abbesses, at #6 Au Levain d'Anton, won the best baguette 2011. Lunch options: 1. Pink Flamingo Pizza, #30 Rue Muller 2. Cave du Miroir, 91 rue Des Martyrs 3. Le Petit Trianon, 80 Blv de Rochechouart 4. Au Clocher de Montmartre, 10 rue Lamarck Nice quiet places to walk: 1. Butte Montmartre, Allee des Brouillards, ave Junot to villa Leandre 2. Montmartre cemetery, entrance at 20 rue Rachel If we have time, cheese at Fromagerie Chez Virginie, 54 rue Danremont. Your other options: 1. Two hour paris-walks.com for 12 euros/person. You can find their schedule on their website. They have about 3 tours/week in Montmartre.
2. parisbymouth.com offers a Best of Montmartre Food Tour.