On Location in Montmartre

This post was last updated on September 3, 2018.

A walking tour of Montmartre

I love Paris and I love movies, so spending an afternoon on a walking tour of Montmartre with Paris Movie Walks author, Michael Schuermann and his wife, Marlys, was a highlight of my trip. Montmartre is rich in character, history, scenic views, artists and charm. It has also been the setting for many movies.

The Eiffel Tower seen over the rooftops of Montmartre, Paris

The Eiffel Tower seen over the rooftops of Montmartre

Montmartre in the movies

As we walked through Montmartre’s winding streets and climbed its staircases, Michael pointed out notable film locations, famous landmarks and lesser-known interesting sites. Just to give a few examples of Montmartre’s prominence in the movies, blockbusters like The Bourne Identity, the very popular Amélie, and La Vie en Rose which garnered an Academy Award for Marion Cotillard for her portrayal of Edith Piaf, have filmed in this picturesque area of Paris. One of the most famous classics set in Montmartre, (although not actually filmed in there) is An American in Paris.

View from Sacré-Coeur, Paris, France

View from Sacré-Coeur

Our walk started up one of the often-filmed staircases of Montmartre toward Sacré-Coeur Basilica at the summit. Its distinctive Romano-Byzantine architecture has been captured in many films and the location provides stunning views. We looked over the rooftops of Montmartre viewing the Eiffel Tower in the distance, a familiar scene in movies such as The Bourne Identity. A short distance from there, we looked up Rue Paul-Albert where in French Kiss Meg Ryan is throwing away money given to her by Kevin Kline. This is a popular spot for film-loving tourists.

Les Petits Mitrons, Montmartre, Paris, France

Les Petits Mitrons — Photo courtesy M. Schuermann

I’m a fan of French actress Audrey Tatou who captivated international audiences as the title character in Amélie. Much of the filming was done in Montmartre and I thought about how wonderful it would be to spend time at Café des Deux Moulins, the place where Amélie worked, and watch those characters interact. The scenes were filmed in the café, but the cigarette counter that was prominently displayed in the movie is no longer there. Nearby are other familiar places from the movie, such as the street market, Boucherie des Gourmets and Les Petits Mitrons. This was a real treat to see the location of one of my favorite French movies.

Our tour also took us to the front of a small cinema called Studio 28. In 1930, it was the scene of a scandal when Salvador Dali’s and Luis Bunuel’s L’age d’or was shown there, prompting protests that led to the banning of the film. Another theatre of note is Cine 13 which is run as a hobby by French filmmaker, Claude Lelouch, who still lives in the area. Montmartre also plays a prominent role in the Claude Lelouch film, A Man and a Woman, the movie that probably formed my earliest visions of a hot French romance.

Rue Cortot, Montmartre, Paris, France

Rue Cortot — Photo courtesy of M. Schuermann

There are so many locations for movie buffs to identify and enjoy during a walk through Montmartre — Forget Paris, Sabrina, Everyone Says I Love You, Funny Face, Kiss of the Dragon, and more. But our walk also gave us a glimpse of other historic and interesting attractions of Montmartre.

Most people have heard of the famous cabaret, Moulin Rouge and its red windmill. But of the 13 once functional windmills (moulins) that were built during the 16th century for processing grapes and grain, only two remain. We viewed the Moulin de la Galette, where working-class Parisians gathered for entertainment in the 19th century and Moulin Radet, which is now a restaurant.

A haven for writers and artists

Of course, Montmartre is well-known as a haven for writers, poets and artists, such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir who lived and worked on Rue Cortot in what is now the Musée de Montmartre. Nearby on Rue des Saules is the famous old cabaret, the Lapin Agile, which has often been painted by artists, including Picasso and Utrillo.

A striking and amusing work of art we saw was the sculpture of Le Passe-Muraille depicting a man’s head, arms and one leg protruding from a stone wall. It is based on author Marcel Aymé’s story Le Passe-Muraille or “The Man Who Could Walk Through Walls.”

We stopped in front of the rebuilt Bateau-Lavoir, which provided lodging and studios for artists, such as Picasso and Modigliani, and enjoyed envisioning them living and working there.

In the Place du Tertre (Artists’ Square), surrounded by cafés, we saw artists painting portraits and landscapes. Although filled with tourists, the square still brings to mind a vision of the past when renowned French artists gathered there.

Vineyards of Montmartre

Vineyards of Montmartre -- Photo courtesy of M. Schuermann

Vineyards of Montmartre — Photo courtesy of M. Schuermann

Vineyards were once plentiful in Montmartre, but now there is only one. Clos Montmartre is a lovely sight on the hillside on Rue Cortot. The grapes are auctioned off for charity during Fêtes des Vendanges, the annual harvest festival.

With still so much more to experience in Montmartre left for future visits, we said “au revoir” to our gracious hosts. We made our way to the Place des Abbesses, walking through its vibrant Christmas Market to the beautiful Abbesses Metro station, ending our lovely visit and walking tour of Montmartre.

With the Schuremann's in Montmartre -- Photo courtesy of M. Schuermann

With the Schuermann’s in Montmartre — Photo courtesy of M. Schuermann

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42 thoughts on “On Location in Montmartre

  1. Jools Stone

    I did the self guided version myself last year, bought the book and strolled around sans M n M themselves, highly recommended of course but no doubt not a patch on the real deal! Oscars all round I say!

    1. Cathy Post author

      The book is really well done, isn’t it? Very easy to follow the walks and find particular locations. I want to try more of them next time in Paris.

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  3. turkey's for life

    Ahhhh, would just love to spend a bit more time in Paris. We only ever went for a weekend and it was quick hop around the usual sites and then to the horse racing. That bit was great! :). An alternative tour like this, I suspect would reveal much more than we’ve already seen.
    Julia

    1. Cathy Post author

      When you get back to Paris, do check out some of Michael’s walks in the book. They’re great step-by-step instructions and provide a lot of behind the scenes kind of information.

  4. The NVR Guys

    J’adore Monmartre! Excellent post Cathy.

    Kent and I were just having a very deep (we are so deep, you know) conversation about what makes a place romantic. Montmartre feels uncommonly romantic, even in a city as romantic as Paris.

    Oh, and I just made the connection that this tour was with Michael of Easy Hiker. How fun!

    1. Cathy Post author

      You guys really are very deep. That’s part of the reason I like you so much!

      Of course, a lot about what makes a place romantic has to do with time even more than place, but I think Montmartre is probably high on everyone’s list of romantic places once they’ve been there.

  5. Jim

    Vineyard in Montmartre, gee I’m enlightened.Memories of exploring this area in 74 must have faded 🙂
    Would be nice to get back there and spend the time to really explore everything you reveal Cathy>

  6. Jeremy B

    Great trip! Amazing how many movies have been filmed in Paris! No wonder Michael and Marlys have a thriving business about Paris Movie Walks! Love the photos and hope to meet both of them one day as well!

  7. Michael Figueiredo

    Beautifully written article 🙂 It makes me long to be in Montmartre right now. Like I posted on your Facebook fan page, “Amelie” is my favorite movie set in Paris. I didn’t know that Café des Deux Moulins was a real place—I’ll have to check it out next time I make it to Paris.

    1. Cathy Post author

      Thanks very much, Michael! I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the cafe was a real place, too. Do check it out next time you’re in Paris.

  8. Corinne @ Degustinations

    What a fabulous tour! It made me dream about movies and Paris…

    I love Montmartre and always make sure I visit every time I’m in Paris – I love everything about it, the vineyards, the cobblestones, the feeling that I am somewhat in the old Paris… Did you go inside the Amelie Cafe? I ate there during my last visit and it was a lot of fun being surrounded with all the memorabilia and eager fans!

    1. Cathy Post author

      I agree that there is such a wonderful feeling of old Paris there. How fun that you ate at Café des Deux Moulins – I’ll have to do that next time!

  9. Adam

    Great post, Cathy! We have yet to go to France, but we just found out that we may be heading there in the fall, and I can’t wait! You did such a wonderful job painting a picture of Montmarte, and it’ll definitely be on the list if we end up there this September!

  10. Norbert

    Moulin Rouge was the movie that put Montmartre in my map, but it was Amelie that obsessed me with it! I love Amelie!! I’m still to go to Montmartre, but when I go, I’ll pretty much do most of the things you did before and visit those iconic places I’ve seen in movies… plus much more! 🙂

    1. Cathy Post author

      Amélie is just such a wonderful movie – characters, story, and Montmartre! Hope you’ll have your Montmartre experience soon!

  11. Angela

    Exquisitely evocative post! Paris is fascinating indeed, and this post describes it well, felt like I was there. A while ago I wrote a similar article about Rome, which is also a huge set, anywhere you go it reminds you of a movie!

    1. Cathy Post author

      Angela, thanks very much for your kind comment. I’m going to check out your Rome article — another place I’ve yet to visit!

  12. Cam

    We had one of our most memorable meals in Montmartre. We were exploring and got caught in a storm. We jumped into the first cafe we could find and enjoyed platters of artisan cheese, freshly baked breads and cured meats. It was a truly Parisian experience!

  13. Kerry-Ann

    Well written article. You make it all sound so romantic – as Paris should be portrayed. Sounds like you had a lovely trip. And you own tour guide? Wow!! That must have been special.

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