The 18th and 9th Arrondissements: Montmartre and the Moulin Rouge

Major Attractions

Moulin Rouge

Montmartre’s Moulin Rouge, near Pigalle, is famous for its decadent cabaret shows, with the high-kicking can-can dance immortalised by Belle Époque artists such as Toulouse-Lautrec and Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film of the same name. Founded in 1889, the original building burned down in 1915, but the current theatre, topped with a red windmill, is still a glam affair. Catching a cabaret here – whether a matinee or one of two evening shows (with optional dinner) – is a classic Paris spectacle. Think sequins, feathers and dare-to-bare costumes. Reservations are essential, as is Champagne!

Address: 82 boulevard de Clichy, 75018 Paris
Website: www.moulinrouge.fr

Sacré-Coeur Basilica

Perched atop the 18th’s Butte Montmartre, Paris’s highest hill, the bright, white travertine Basilica of Sacré-Coeur is a striking Catholic landmark. Construction of the Romano-Byzantine building began in 1875. Head up 270 steps for expansive city horizons from Sacré-Coeur’s forecourt, or ride Montmartre Funicular there from Square Louise Michel park. Climb 300 more steps up the dome for a bird’s-eye view of Paris. Inside admire bronze statues, the apse mosaic, grand bell, organ and crypt.

Address: 35 rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris
Website: www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com

Place du Tertre

Artists cover every inch of Montmartre’s village-like cobbled hilltop square Place du Tertre, where you can have your portrait painted, pay for a caricature or snap up artworks depicting Paris’s scenery. Kick back afterwards at a bistro terrace.

Address: Place du Tertre, 75018 Paris

Cimetière de Montmartre

Tree-dotted Cimetière de Montmartre is the city’s third largest cemetery, opened in 1825. Stroll the 11-hectare grounds to spy legendary names among its 20,000 burial plots including French novelists Émile Zola and Stendhal, artists Edgar Degas and Gustave Moreau, composer Hector Berlioz, film director François Truffaut and singer Dalida.

Address: 20 avenue Rachel, 75018 Paris

Unofficial websites: http://www.landrucimetieres.fr/spip/spip.php?article81

Musée de la Vie Romantique

Seek out the gorgeous off-the-beaten-track Museum of Romantic Life in the 9th’s New Athens district below Montmartre. A literary museum dedicated to French writer George Sand (1804-1876) and other authors, its collection includes portraits, artworks and personal memorabilia such as furniture and jewelry, alongside regular exhibitions. The green-shuttered house and courtyard once belonged to painter Ary Scheffer, who socialized with Sand, Dickens and Chopin here. The popular tearoom is a branch of the wonderful Rose Bakery. Tables outside in the graceful gardens are perfect for penning love letters.

Address: 16 rue Chaptal, 75009 Paris (closed Monday)

Website: www.museevieromantique.paris.fr/fr

Palais Garnier

Enjoy a night out at ornate Palais Garnier in the 9th, created in 1875 for the Paris Opera. Catch a performance by the Opéra National de Paris, a ballet or classical concert. By day you can tour the theatre itself, including its vast Italian-style auditorium – the dazzling ceiling frescoes were painted in 1964 by Marc Chagall. Refuel at Opéra Restaurant or Bar Martini.

Address: Place de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris

Website: www.operaparis.fr/en

Open-Air Markets & Food Stores

Porte de Clignancourt Flea Market

Officially called Le Marché aux Puces de Saint-Oeun (Les Puces), this famous flea market near Porte de Clignancourt metro station in the north of the 18th arrondissement is a treasure trove of antiques. Come early at weekends to hunt for homewares, furniture and ceramics, with stalls and shops on and around rue des Rosiers. Discover vintage clothing, books, records, posters and art in the 14 sprawling open-air and covered markets. See Paris Perfect’s guide.

Address: rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen (9am-6pm Saturday, 10am-6pm Sunday, 11am-5pm Monday)

Website: www.pucesdeparissaintouen.com

Rue des Martyrs

Pigalle’s enchanting eat street Rue des Martyrs is home to bakeries, patisseries, gourmet delis, specialist food stores and charming cafés for coffee, brunch or tea (try beloved Rose Bakery). You’ll also find florists, vintage fashion boutiques and bookstores. For more on this vibrant neighborhood market in the 9th, see Paris Perfect’s blog. It’s ideal for picking up gifts of cheese, jam or olives.

Address: Rue des Martyrs, 75009 Paris

Marché Anvers

At the foot of Butte Montmartre, this open-air food market in the 9th offers stalls of organic food and local produce on Friday afternoons (3pm-8.30pm).

Address: Place d’Anvers, 75009 Paris

Unofficial Website: parisinfo.com

Cafés & Restaurants

The 18th arrondissement offers delectable deli cafés, trad French bistros, hip global restaurants and chic hotels for a cocktail – perfect for treating yourself after an amble around arty Montmartre.

Our Favorite Cafés & Restaurants in the 18th Arrondissement:

Bar à Bulles: 4bis Cité Véron

Brasserie Barbès: 2 boulevard Barbès

Café des Deux Moulins: 15 rue Lepic

Chez Toinette: 20 rue Germain Pilon

Grenouilles: 55 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre

Guilo Guilo: 8 rue Garreau

Hardware Société: 10 rue Lamarck

Hôtel Particulier Montmartre: Pavillon D, 23 avenue Junot

Le Bar Terrass Hotel: 12-14 rue Joseph de Maistre

Le Coq Rico: 98 rue Lepic

Wepler Brasserie: 14 Place de Clichy

And in the 9th Arrondissement:

Belle Maison: 4 rue de Navarin

Hôtel Amour: 8 rue de Navarin

Le Bon Georges: 45 rue Saint-Georges

Le Carmen: 34 rue Duperré

Le Grand Café Capucines: 4 boulevard des Capucines

Le Pantruche: 3 rue Victor Massé

Maison Souquet: 10 rue de Bruxelles

Pink Mamma: 20bis rue de Douai