Montmartre Paris 🇫🇷 Tourist Chaos & Hidden Calm You Didn’t Know Existed

Montmartre Paris 🇫🇷 Tourist Chaos & Hidden Calm You Didn’t Know Existed

Montmartre, located in Paris’s 18th arrondissement, is a historic hilltop district known for its artistic heritage, charming streets, and the iconic Sacré-Cœur Basilica. It’s a popular tourist destination, offering a mix of cultural attractions, picturesque scenery, and vibrant nightlife Montmartre known for its artists and tourist packed streets is one of Paris most visited spots but what if I tell you that there is a quiet hidden side of Montmartre most people missed today I am walking through both worlds the famous and the forgotten to show you that Montmartre is more than just a postcard let us be real Paris is not exactly known for being cheap but I am on a mission to survive Paris without breaking the bank last night I stayed at one of the cheapest hostels in downtown Paris Generator Paris Hostel and this morning I hit up their cafeteria for their 12-euro continental breakfast buffet Coffee, juice, milk, bread, croissant basically all the carbs you need to power through the day is cheap, filling and get the job done in a city where a single croissant can cost 3 euro this breakfast kept my stomach full till late afternoon and my wallet smiling good morning from Paris I have just check out and ready to go my plan for today starts from the area around my hostel on the Seine right bank then walk all the way to Montmartre soaking in the sights, sound and surprises along the way before I say goodbye to Paris and head to my next destination there are a million things to do in Paris but this time I am slowing down no checklist, no rush just walking and soaking it all in funny enough, I did not realize my hostel was located right next to the train tracks there is something nostalgic about these locomotive tracks the rusty train tracks the distant whistle like catching a glimpse of old school Paris no Eiffel Tower, no Louvre just raw everyday moments guess what I found here a public toilet free to use in Paris that is like finding gold if you have ever tried toilet hunting in Europe you will know what I meant shame to say I drop a pin on the Google map just in case I have to come back again while in Europe water intake is strictly scheduled I have to monitor it just like wartime so as to minimize my toilet hunting expedition just a short walk later I arrive at Gare de l’Est the station that brought me into Paris the day before two blocks from Gare de l’Est is Marché Saint-Quentin a hidden gem built in the year 1866 Marché Saint-Quentin is the iron and glass covered market that feels like a vintage postcard it is like a neighbourhood wet market but with French charm there are fewer tourists, more local a little quiet when I visited and honestly, I love that just a few blocks later is the majestic Gare du Nord the North Station of Paris this is the busiest train station in all of Europe oh over 200 million passengers pass through here every year taking the Eurostar to London trains to Brussels and Amsterdam and the best part Gare de l’Est and Gare du Nord are just 10 minutes apart on foot it is one of the easiest train transfers in Paris and a perfect start on a slow day to this city today is my only full day in Paris and no, it is not about the Eiffel Tower the Arc de Triomphe or strolling down the Champs-Élysées I have got just one mission before I leave Montmartre I used to think Montmartre was just the Sacré-Cœur that the hill was the destination but I was wrong Montmartre is so much more and today I am walking this street to set the record straight let us kick things off with the Basilica of the Sacred Heart or as the local call it Sacré-Cœur this is one of Paris most iconic landmark and trust me, getting there is part of the magic you can take the funicular but me, I am taking the stairs hundreds of them why pay when your legs are still working with each step, Paris slowly unfolds beneath me as I am reaching towards the top, reality hits – crowd a long line wind outside the basilica I paused should I queue? during the last visit I did not FOMO hits hard I am not making that mistake again good news, entry is free and the line move faster than I expected I waited 30 minutes later I step inside and time slows the silence the soft glow through the stained glass and above the altar the massive golden mosaic of Christ one of the largest in the world built in the year 1875 and only consecrated after World War one Sacré-Cœur feels sacred despite the chaos outside, inside it is still, quiet and powerful back outside the scene shifts Streets performer, juggler couples, dancing kids running up and down the steps is chaotic, is beautiful, is Paris I make my way down the hill the Carrousel de Saint-Pierre spins gently at the foot of the basilica yes, this is the carousel from the film Amélie a timeless touch of Montmartre’s magic dating back to the 18th century and now my Montmartre journey truly begins right here at Place des Abbesses once I step away from the crowd near Sacré-Cœur and suddenly Montmartre transforms it gets quieter more soulful and more local no tour groups, no selfies sticks just real-life unfolding and if this square looks familiar it should this is where Amélie was film one of Paris most beloved film just a few steps away, don’t miss this hidden gem the “I Love You” wall over 250 languages one message, I love you from English to Chinese, Hindi to Japanese in this part of Montmartre time slow down and life feels like art Montmartre is never flat and to reach Place du Tertre I am climbing again it turns out that I should have taken the side gate behind Sacré-Cœur instead I went all the way down the hill and now it is hundred steps back up at this climb along the famous route Rue Foyatier stairs it connects me to the heartbeat of Montmartre every step echo with stories and finally I arrive Place du Tertre the square is alive artist paints in real time cafe spills onto the cobblestones and the unmistakable creative soul of Paris it is everywhere Place du Tertre is one of Montmartre’s most iconic spots a tourist magnet, yes but also a living museum of Bohemia Paris back in the 19th and 20th century struggling artists set up here hoping to be noticed some of the big names were Van Gogh Picasso, Utrillo these people once wonder these very streets today the tradition lives on painters capture Paris scenes portrait artist sketches visitors on the spot the past still lingers in every brush strokes this square was once the heart of Montmartre just a few steps from Sacré-Cœur is charming but crowded really crowded sometimes the swarm of tourists takes away the peace I came looking for but here’s the trick take a detour slip down any narrow alley from the square and suddenly you are in a quiet poetic Montmartre the one most visitors miss Montmartre was once known for its cabaret and wild nights but cheap rents brought in artists dreamers and visionaries these winding streets they were just their playground and Place du Tertre was their canvas walking here feels like stepping back in time just a few steps away hidden behind the crowd and Sacré-Cœur grandeur Église Saint-Pierre de Montmartre one of the oldest churches in all of Paris The Saint Pierre Church is quiet, humble and peaceful inside it feels almost too polished, almost empty but in that silence, I find sanctuary I do love the colours and chaos of Place du Tertre but sometimes you need to step away to appreciate it fully follow my steps to La Maison Rose it is only a few meters away but if you are anything like me it takes forever because Montmartre is like a living museum every corner every window, every twist of the street pulls you in I stop take a photo, admire an old building pause for quirky art piece and just like that, time disappears especially on a sunny gorgeous day like today Montmartre feels like a dream and finally I arrive La Maison Rose the famous pink house you have probably seen it on Instagram or postcards but it is more than a photo stop this little cafe has been a moment icon since the early 1900s Artist, poets lovers all pass through its doors you can sit for a cozy espresso or just do what I did admire it from the street camera in hand as I continue I ended up on Rue Lepic here the tourist buzz face totally and in this place the real Paris cafe that are not stage for Instagram local carrying baguettes, chatting at the bakery doors somewhere along Rue Lepic this is where Vincent van Gogh lived with his brother, Theo just imagine Vincent van Gogh walking these same streets I wish I had more time to wonder but my train leaves in 30 minutes so I pressed on reaching Place Blanche and there it is, the iconic red windmill Moulin Rouge even if you have never stepped foot in Paris you would have heard the name or seen the movie but did you know this was the birthplace of the can-can cabaret a dance that once shocked society and define the wild rebellious nights of Paris I was here 30 years ago that was a quick visit then it is also a quick visit now this time round I cut my Montmartre Tour way too close so no more filming I have to sprint for the metro back to the Montparnasse station I finally made it with just 15 minutes to spare thank you for watching this video if you enjoy this little journey through Montmartre please like comment and subscribe and join me in the next episode where I check off another stop on my travel bucket list

Uncle Go Europe playlist : https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0pkMZHeitO8P3nF9o7mOmicPNzQKkTHW&si=dqwOOazjjfvIIjkK

Montmartre is one of the most iconic and visited neighborhoods in Paris — home to the stunning Sacré-Cœur, buzzing streets, and endless tourist crowds. But beyond the chaos, there’s a quieter, hidden side of Montmartre that most visitors completely miss.

In this vlog, I explore both sides of Montmartre: from the packed Place du Tertre to peaceful cobblestone lanes and ivy-covered stairways. If you’re planning a trip to Paris and want to go beyond the typical tourist checklist, this is the Montmartre you need to see.

➡️ Join me on a walk through the real Montmartre — a mix of noise, nostalgia, and secret corners.

#paris
#montmarte
#pariswalk

Timecodes:
00:00 intro to Montmartre Paris
00:31 Paris Generator hostel and buffet breakfast
01:21 Paris Gare de l’Est walking starting point to
02:27 Paris free outdoor public toilet
03:16 Marché Saint-Quentin and Gare du Nord
04:37 Montmartre district
05:15 Sacré-Cœur or Basilica of the Sacred Heart
07:35 Sacre-Coeur Carousel or Carrousel de Saint-Pierre
08:24 Place des Abbesses and Paris “I Love You” Wall
09:00 Rue Foyatier stairs
09:35 Place du Tertre
12:05 Église Saint-Pierre de Montmartre
12:44 Le Consulat is frequented by Picasso and Van Gogh
14:19 La Maison Rose the pink house
15:08 Rue Lepic where Van Gogh used to stay
15:48 Place Blanche and Moulin Rouge
16:28 Gare Montparnasse to Mont Saint Michel

🎬Watch our most recent videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrgI2A-vBgeZBwyrsobvWHA
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/uncle_go_traveling/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/MeGoKaiKai/