Montmartre Walking Tour: Best Sights and Streets in Paris

To experience the best of Montmartre, start your walking tour at the Abbesses Metro station, visit the Wall of Love, climb to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica via the iconic steps, explore the artists at Place du Tertre, and finish at the Moulin Rouge. This route covers the district's most famous landmarks and hidden alleys in approximately two to three hours. Navigating these winding streets requires reliable data, especially since UK carriers now charge daily fees for roaming in France.## The Ultimate Montmartre Walking Tour Route

Montmartre is the crown jewel of the 18th arrondissement, a hilltop village that feels worlds away from the Haussmannian boulevards of central Paris. This self-guided tour will take you through the heart of the Bohemian movement, from the studios where Picasso painted to the cafes where Amélie Poulain worked.

Stop 1: Place des Abbesses and the Wall of Love

Begin your journey at the Abbesses Metro station. This is one of the few remaining stations with an original Art Nouveau glass canopy designed by Hector Guimard. Just behind the station is the Square Jehan Rictus, home to the Mur des Je t'aime (Wall of Love). This 40-square-metre wall features the words "I love you" written 311 times in 250 different languages. It is the perfect spot for your first photo of the day, but be sure to see plans for a reliable data connection before you start uploading to social media.

Stop 2: Rue Lepic and Café des Deux Moulins

Head up the hill toward Rue Lepic. This winding street was once home to Vincent van Gogh (at number 54) and is now famous for the Café des Deux Moulins, the filming location for the movie Amélie. The street is a bustling market hub filled with boulangeries, fromageries, and flower shops. It is a great place to grab a croissant before the steep climb ahead.

Stop 3: Le Bateau-Lavoir and Place Émile-Goudeau

Continue to Place Émile-Goudeau to find Le Bateau-Lavoir. Though the original building burned down and was reconstructed, this site was the epicenter of modern art in the early 20th century. Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani, and many others lived and worked here. It was in this very spot that Picasso painted Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, effectively launching the Cubist movement.

Stop 4: Place du Tertre (The Artist's Square)

As you reach the top of the hill, you will find yourself in Place du Tertre. This is the most touristy part of Montmartre, filled with portrait artists and caricaturists. While it can be crowded, it remains a vital link to the district's artistic heritage. If you plan on using apps to find a nearby bistro for lunch, make sure to Stop Tripadvisor From Draining Your Data While in Rome or Paris, as location-heavy apps can eat through your allowance quickly.

Stop 5: The Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Just a short walk from the square is the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur. Built from travertine stone that bleeds white when it rains, the basilica offers the most famous panoramic view of Paris. You can climb the dome for an even higher vantage point, or simply sit on the steps with the locals. Note that the steps are a popular spot for street performers, which makes for great video content. If you are Saving Data on Instagram While Posting Holiday Photos, consider waiting until you are back on a stable connection or using a high-allowance eSIM.

Stop 6: Rue de l'Abreuvoir and La Maison Rose

Walk behind the basilica to find Rue de l'Abreuvoir, often cited as the most beautiful street in Paris. Here you will find La Maison Rose, a pink-walled café that has been a staple of the neighborhood for over a century. This area is much quieter than the basilica and offers a glimpse into the "village" feel of old Montmartre. Nearby is the Vigne de Montmartre, the last functioning vineyard in the city, which still produces wine every year for the Fête des Vendanges.

Why UK Roaming in France is a Trap for Travelers

Since Brexit, the landscape of mobile connectivity for UK residents has changed dramatically. Major networks like EE, Vodafone, Three, and O2 have reintroduced daily roaming charges. Typically, you will be charged between £2.00 and £2.50 per day just to access your UK data allowance. For a week-long trip to France, this can add nearly £20 to your bill before you have even ordered your first café au lait.

At UKRoamFree, we believe roaming should be simple and affordable. We provide travel eSIMs that cover 40+ European countries, including France, Spain, and Greece, as well as the USA and Turkey. Our plans often cost less than a pint of beer, allowing you to bypass the daily fees imposed by home carriers. These are data-only plans, meaning they do not come with a local French phone number, but they work perfectly for WhatsApp calls, iMessage, and Google Maps.

Connectivity Realities: Orange 5G in Paris

When you land at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly airport, you want your data to work instantly. Our France eSIMs operate on the Orange network, which is consistently ranked as the best carrier in France for both speed and coverage.

In a dense urban environment like Montmartre, where narrow stone alleys and old buildings can interfere with signals, Orange’s 5G and 4G infrastructure provides the most reliable connection. While rural parts of France may see a drop to 4G, Paris is extremely well-served by 5G. This is essential for navigating the labyrinthine streets of the 18th arrondissement where GPS can sometimes struggle.

Data Needs for Your Paris Trip

Your data usage will depend on how you travel. Here is a rough guide to help you choose the right plan:

• The Minimalist (1GB - 3GB): Best for short weekend breaks where you only need Google Maps and occasional messaging.
• The Social Traveler (5GB - 10GB): Ideal for those posting stories to Instagram, checking reviews on the go, and using WhatsApp for voice calls.
• The Power User (20GB - 50GB): Necessary if you are working remotely, streaming video on the Eurostar, or sharing a hotspot with others.

We offer fixed plans ranging from 1GB for 7 days up to 50GB for 180 days, as well as daily passes (1GB to 10GB per day) that throttle to a lower speed once the high-speed limit is reached. Top-ups are always available if you find yourself running low after too many FaceTime calls from the top of the Eiffel Tower.

How to Install Your eSIM for France

Installing an eSIM is significantly easier than hunting for a physical SIM card shop at the airport. You can see plans and receive your QR code via email instantly. Before you buy, check if your phone is compatible with eSIM technology. Most iPhones from the XS onwards and recent Android flagship devices are ready to go.

Step-by-Step Installation

For iPhone Users:

1. Go to Settings > Mobile Data.
2. Tap Add eSIM.
3. Select Use QR Code and scan the code provided by UKRoamFree.
4. Label the new plan as "Travel" or "France".
5. Set your "Primary" line for calls/SMS and your new eSIM for Mobile Data.

For Android Users:

1. Go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager.
2. Tap Add eSIM or Add mobile plan.
3. Scan the QR code.
4. Ensure the new eSIM is selected for data in your settings.

For a more detailed walkthrough, you can read our full installation guide.

Comparison: UKRoamFree vs. UK Carriers

Feature	UKRoamFree (Orange 5G)	UK Carrier Roaming (EE, Voda, O2, Three)
Daily Fees	£0 (Prepaid)	£2.00 - £2.50 per day
Network	Orange (Top-tier French carrier)	Varies (often lower priority roaming)
Setup	Instant Digital Download	Automatic (but expensive)
Local Number	No (Data Only)	Yes (Your UK Number)
WhatsApp/FaceTime	Fully Supported	Supported

The bottom line

Montmartre is best explored without the stress of getting lost or worrying about a massive phone bill. By choosing a UKRoamFree eSIM, you get the best of the Orange 5G network for a fraction of what your home provider would charge. Whether you are admiring the view from the Sacré-Cœur or finding a hidden vineyard, stay connected for less than the price of a Parisian beer.