Private tour of Montmartre: our review
My verdict: two hours with a guide just for you, in French, English, or Serbo-Croatian, from the Moulin Rouge to the Lapin Agile. 5.0 out of 45 reviews: the rating is perfect, the sample size is small. This is the option I recommend for families and those who want Montmartre in French.
What it is
A two-hour walking tour reserved for your group. The tour starts at the Blanche metro exit, in front of the Moulin Rouge; the guide carries a red canvas bag so they can be easily recognised. You’ll walk up Rue Lepic, passing the Moulin de la Galette, Sacré-Cœur, Place du Tertre, the vineyard, and the Lapin Agile. The narrative thread: the birth of Impressionism on the hill, the cabarets, and the cancan. The tour takes place in all weather.
Blanche is two stops from Pigalle on Line 2, and Pigalle is a few minutes’ walk from the Musée Gustave Moreau. You can finish the workshops on Rue de La Rochefoucauld, walk up Rue des Martyrs, or take the metro, and meet the guide in front of the Moulin Rouge without rushing. The full route from the museum is described on Montmartre.
What visitors say
Many reviews are in French, which aligns with the languages offered. Pichon mentions Boris’s extensive knowledge, Martine speaks of Anya’s passion, and Pascale describes a cultured and pleasant guide. Nathalie discovered a different side of Montmartre with a cheerful and energetic guide. Patricia enjoyed leisurely strolling while listening to the stories, without rushing.
Kim, from the United States, had Isabella, who was witty and precise. Bram, from the Netherlands, describes a positive guide full of details. Two reviews mention the timing: Keith took the evening walk and talks about beautiful views, while Freddy, from Belgium, did the morning tour and saw a neighbourhood that lives—the one of locals before tourists. Both are right, and that’s the advantage of a private tour: the time is yours.
What works
- Private guide for your group only, with a flexible pace and open questions
- French offered, in addition to English and Serbo-Croatian
- Easy-to-find meeting point, in front of the Moulin Rouge
- Morning or evening, depending on what you want to see
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
Things to know
- Perfect rating but based on a small number of reviews
- Two hours of uphill walking, in all weather conditions
- No tasting included in the programme
- Private tour: more worthwhile in a group than solo
For whom, and who should skip it
For families, for those who want Montmartre in French, for anyone with a strict schedule to keep, for those who prefer to ask questions without raising their hand. If you are traveling alone and the per-person cost matters, the group tour covers a similar route in English, with a wine and cheese option that this one does not include. For children, the visiting with kids page suggests a sequence of the Musée Gustave Moreau followed by the hill.
Choose an early departure. The Musée Gustave Moreau opens at 10:00, but if you explore Montmartre at 9:00 with the guide, you will descend toward Rue de La Rochefoucauld by noon and have the workshops during off-peak hours. Look for the red canvas bag at the exit of Blanche.
Frequently asked questions
Where do we meet the guide?
At the exit of Blanche metro station, in front of the Moulin Rouge. The guide carries a red canvas bag. From the Musée Gustave Moreau, it is two stops on line 2 from Pigalle or a fifteen-minute walk.
Will the visit take place if it rains?
Yes, it takes place in all weather. Make sure to wear good shoes, as rue Lepic is uphill.
Private tour or group walk?
Private for French, children, and flexible scheduling. Group for per-person pricing and the tasting option. The full comparison is on Montmartre.
Can I combine this visit with the Musée Gustave Moreau on the same day?
Easily: the museum requires one to one and a half hours and is just a few minutes from Pigalle. See how long the visit lasts.