Museums & Montmartre: A Walkable Paris Day Tour

While the Louvre is more famous, this museum built in an old train station features incredible collections of French artists such as Cezanne, Van Gogh, Renoir, and Monet. Book your tickets ahead of time.

It would take weeks to fully explore this giant museum, so we suggest hitting a few highlights and then picking a few rooms to explore. Help speed your way inside by booking ahead of time.

If you need a short break for some food or refreshment, head over to Gallerie Vivienne, a charming luxury shopping plaza that’s worth a visit just to walk through it.

A few minutes away is the surprisingly interesting vertical garden. You don’t need to spend much time here, but it’s unlike anything you are likely to see again.

Not too far from L’Oasis is another covered shopping arcade, this one from 1799, featuring incredible architecture and plenty of places to spend your Euros.

The World of Banksy Expo is an immersive exhibition showcasing an array of Banksy’s famous satirical artwork from graffiti to video to large-scale installations. It is recommended to book your tickets early before you go. Even if Banksy isn’t for you, a stroll up the historic Rue du Faubourg-Montmartre is worth your time. The quintessentially Parisian street is lined with historic restaurants, coffee shops, and businesses. A stop at À la Mère de Famille for some sweets is a must!

For the next portion of our itinerary, we’re headed to Montmartre. To get there we will use the Paris Metro. A few blocks away from The World of Banksy Expo is the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette station (located adjacent to the church of the same name). Look for the streetlamp with the red “Metro” sign on it. You will take Line 12 (green) a few stops to the Abbesses station.

A short walk from the Abbesses metro station is the Carrousel de Saint-Pierre. It’s just a carousel, but it’s right beneath Sacre-Coeur, so it’s hard to beat if you want to go around in circles in front of a beautiful building.

For Paris, Sacré-Cœur is a relatively modern (1870-1919) church, but its unique style and position at Paris’ highest point make it a must-see.

The area around Sacré-Cœur can be quite crowded, but if you go around back, you’ll find a quiet park with views most people never see.

Near Sacré-Cœur is a picturesque square dedicated to the French-Italian singer Delida. Quaint winding cobblestone streets surround the area. It’s a good photo op but skippable if you prefer.

Between the famous Montmartre streets of Ave. Junot and Rue Lepic, you’ll find a somewhat secret hotel and a great place for a cocktail at the Le Très Particulier bar.

This isn’t a sightseeing stop; it’s a way to get to your final destination on the list. A few minutes’ walk from the Hôtel Particulier is the Blanche Metro Station. As you enter, you can catch a glimpse of the famed Moulin Rouge. Take Line 2 (blue) to Charles de Gaulle-Étoile station.

If you are looking for a lower-key yet spectacular attraction, look no further. The Arc offers amazing views from the top with smaller crowds than le Tour Eiffel. Book in advance to skip the ticket line.