Montmartre Tourist Train Ride with Optional Seine Cruise Paris

Sacré-Cœur Basilica and the hill of Montmartre

Montmartre is the hilltop village of Paris, about 130 metres above the river, and its white-domed Sacré-Cœur Basilica is one of the most recognisable buildings in the city. The basilica was consecrated in 1919 after years of construction, and the terrace in front gives one of the widest views of Paris. The little train starts near the basilica, so you begin at the top and let the wheels do the climbing.

If you are wondering how to get to Sacré-Cœur, the metro stops at Anvers and Abbesses, and a funicular helps with the steps. The train ride is a comfortable way to see the district if you find steep streets tiring, and the driver follows a set route through the cobbled lanes.

Moulin Rouge, Lapin Agile and the artists' streets

The route passes the Moulin Rouge, the red-windmill cabaret opened in 1889, and Au Lapin Agile, a small cabaret which has hosted artists and writers since the nineteenth century. Montmartre was where painters such as Renoir, Picasso and Van Gogh lived and worked, and their memory still shapes its streets and squares.

Along the way you may see Place du Tertre, where portrait artists set up their easels, the Church of Saint-Pierre de Montmartre, one of the oldest churches in Paris, and the Cemetery of Montmartre. The train does not stop at each place, but it is a clear way to understand how the pieces of the district fit together.

The optional Seine River cruise

With the cruise option, you add a one-hour boat trip on the Seine, with audio commentary in many languages. The cruise passes landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame and the bridges of Paris, and gives you the classic river view of the city. There is no fixed time for your reservation: you can use the cruise ticket during the operating hours, and it is valid for one month after your travel date.

Boats depart every thirty to sixty minutes, as shown on the ticket, so you do not need to reserve a slot. In busy seasons you may wait longer. Transport between Montmartre and the river is not included, so plan your metro or taxi ride between the two.

Timetables, accessibility and planning

The Montmartre train usually operates from about ten in the morning until six in the evening from September to May, and until seven in the evening from June to August. The train is not wheelchair accessible, but the river cruise is. The train does not run as a hop-on hop-off service, so you stay on for the full ride.

The best time to ride the train is on a dry day in the morning or late afternoon, when the light is soft. Bring a light jacket, since Montmartre is high and can be breezy, and keep your phone charged for your voucher.