Photo by Bastien Nvs
Perched on its famously steep hill in the 18th arrondissement, Montmartre feels a world away from the rest of the city spread below. It’s a place where past and present meet in a tender embrace; and the perfect location for a romantic date night in Paris.
With ivy-clad houses and winding, cobbled lanes, Montmartre has long seduced its residents and visitors. Impressionist and Modern artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec found both inspiration and community here, helping to shape the neighborhood’s reputation as a cradle of candle-lit conversation and cabaret.
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In popular culture, Montmartre continues to resonate for romantics — from Amélie’s whimsical depiction of this part of Paris, to the star-studded Moulin Rouge and Gene Kelly’s romantic strolls in An American in Paris.
Whether you’re looking for an evening of cocktails, fine dining or entertainment, here are a few addresses that promise a perfectly romantic date in Montmartre….
If you’d like to explore more of our favorite addresses, download the MFCH Five Days in Montmartre itinerary here.
Walk through Montmartre’s romantic hotspots
Montmartre is rich in history, but if the evening calls for something more intimate, begin with a slow walk through its quieter, more atmospheric corners. Start at the Love Wall in Abbesses, a small mural in a pretty garden dedicated to the many ways to say “I love you.” Next, climb to the Sacré-Cœur — on foot or by funicular — and take in the sweeping view of Paris sweeping. Finish with a stroll past La Maison Rose, its atmospheric pink façade and climbing ivy making it one of the neighbourhood’s most beautiful addresses.
La Maison Rose
2 Rue de l’Abreuvoir, 75018
Enjoy the view Paris from a rooftop bar
For a pre-dinner drink, head to the rooftop bar at the Terrass Hotel. A Montmartre landmark since 1911, the hotel blends its artistic past with contemporary comfort. The bohemian-style rooftop bar offers cinematic views over Paris, paired with excellent cocktails. A lovely place to pause just before sunset.
Terrass Hotel
2–14 Rue Joseph de Maistre, 75018
Head to an intimate dinner location
For dinner, Loulou Montmartre offers a warm, understated yet trendy setting. The menu is generous and uncomplicated. Plates include fresh sardines, honey-roasted Camembert and seared duck breast — paired with organic French wines. Set into the hillside, the dining room overlooks the neighborhood’s rooftops, with the light’s of Paris twinkling below.
Alternatively, return to La Maison Rose. Beyond its famous façade, the restaurant serves a quietly refined farm-to-table menu that shifts with the seasons. In summer, ask for a table outdoors, where the street scene becomes part of the experience.
Loulou Montmartre
3 Rue Lamarck, 75018
Book a memorable experience at the cabaret
For some evening entertainment, there are two very different cabaret institutions to choose between in Montmartre. The Moulin Rouge is iconic, and a show can be booked with or without dinner. (Note that tickets should be reserved well in advance.) For something more authentic, slip into Au Lapin Agile, where low lighting, wooden tables and old-school French songs bring you into another era. An understanding of French helps, but the atmosphere alone is worth the detour.
Moulin Rouge
82 Boulevard de Clichy, 75018
Au Lapin Agile
22 Rue des Saules, 75018
End the evening at a luxury hotel
End the evening with a stay at one of Montmartre’s luxury hideaways. For those that love Art Deco grandeur, head to Hôtel Rochechouart and immerse yourself in plush comfort. Its restaurant downstairs is also worth a visit on its own.
Or, for those that prefer a quieter location, choose Hôtel Particulier Montmartre, hidden behind a discreet gate on one of the neighborhood’s prettiest streets. Once a private home, it still feels that way, with a peaceful garden that feels worlds away from the city, and just a handful of spacious suites.
Hôtel Rochechouart
55 Boulevard de Marguerite de Rochechouart, 75009
Hôtel Particulier Montmartre
Pavillon D, 23 Avenue Junot, 75018