---
title: "Paris’ 18th arrondissement: art, history, & the magic of Montmartre"
description: What is life like for those living in Paris’ famous 18th arrondissement? This article explores the joys of Montmartre, the Moulin Rouge, and much more.
---

[Rent an apartment in Paris with Paris Attitude ](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en)

# [Paris’ 18th arrondissement: art, history, & the magic of Montmartre](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/18th-arrondissement)

 Rédigé par [Paris Attitude](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/author/paris-attitude) | Mar 12, 2025 8:00:00 AM

For many newcomers to Paris, living in the 18th arrondissement on the world-famous *Montmartre* hill is a dream come true. The combination of **quintessential cobbled streets, art history, and extraordinary views** are really unlike anywhere else in the world. 

Elsewhere, the 18th features beautiful, quiet residential areas, and bustling regional markets. There’s an **almost unbeatable range of cafés, bars, and restaurants, and a seemingly endless lineup of concerts and other entertainment** to enjoy. 

All of this stimulation can also be overwhelming. And if you’re looking primarily for a quiet, secure neighborhood with few disturbances, you may be happier elsewhere. 

This article explores the very best parts of life in the 18th, and a few good reasons why it doesn’t suit everyone. 

| Summary |
| --- |
| - [About the 18th arrondissement ](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/18th-arrondissement?hs_amp=true#about-the-18th-arrondissement) - [Where is the 18th arrondissement? ](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/18th-arrondissement?hs_amp=true#where-is-the-18th-arrondissement) - [What are the main highlights of the 18th arrondissement? ](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/18th-arrondissement?hs_amp=true#what-are-main-highlights-18th-arrondissement) - [The best reasons to live in the 18th arrondissement](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/18th-arrondissement?hs_amp=true#the-best-reasons-live-in-18th-arrondissement) - [The pull of Montmartre ](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/18th-arrondissement?hs_amp=true#the-pull-montmartre) - [The events and nightlife ](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/18th-arrondissement?hs_amp=true#the-events-nightlife) - [The cuisine and café culture ](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/18th-arrondissement?hs_amp=true#the-cuisine-cafe-culture) - [Competitive prices ](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/18th-arrondissement?hs_amp=true#competitive-prices) - [Why you may not want to live in the 18th arrondissement ](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/18th-arrondissement?hs_amp=true#why-you-may-not-want-live-18th) - [The tourists ](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/18th-arrondissement?hs_amp=true#the-tourists) - [The noise & activity ](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/18th-arrondissement?hs_amp=true#the-noise-activity) - [The seedy red light district ](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/18th-arrondissement?hs_amp=true#the-seedy-red-light-district) - [The rougher edges ](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/18th-arrondissement?hs_amp=true#the-rougher-edges) - [The accessibility challenges](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/18th-arrondissement?hs_amp=true#the-accessibility-challenges) - [Live the dream life in Paris’ 18th arrondissement ](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/18th-arrondissement?hs_amp=true#live-the-dream-life-in-Paris-18th) [** **](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QjzAZmKFX0d5q923etATaJwCn2Zc4TrkYZ3IWvrQt9s/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.phuzck9b9r2i) |

## About the 18th arrondissement

The 18th arrondissement is best known for *Montmartre*, the city’s highest natural point (excluding buildings, of course). Tourists and locals flock here to explore the quaint, hilly streets, discover its artistic past, and to take photos of the entire city from this unique vantage point. 

**This historic area looks and feels exactly like the movies**. In fact, it’s the very area where *Amélie* lives (in the film of the same name), and you can visit *Café des 2 Moulins* daily, just like her. It also features prominently in *John Wick: Chapter 4*, if that’s more your thing. 

But **there’s much more to this neighborhood than *****Montmartre***. The 18th also includes the famous *Moulin Rouge* and Paris’ red light district, the *Goutte d’Or* area with a rich abundance of African culture and food, and the up-and-coming residential area on the back (northern) side of *Montmartre*, between the *Jules Joffrin* and *Guy Môquet* metro stations. 

### Where is the 18th arrondissement? 

The 18th arrondissement is framed by the following borders: 

- Avenue de Clichy and Avenue de Saint-Ouen to the west
- Boulevard Périphérique to the north
- Rue d’Aubervilliers to the east
- Boulevard de la Chapelle and Boulevard de Clichy to the south

### What are the main highlights of the 18th arrondissement?

The 18th is popular with both tourists and local Parisians, with a wide array of attractions:

- *Montmartre*, with its meandering cobbled roads.
- *Basilique du Sacré-Cœur,* high on *Montmartre* hill.
- Many other interesting churches, including *Basilica of Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc*, *Saint-Jean-de-Montmartre* church, and *Saint-Bernard de la Chapelle*.
- The *Moulin Rouge* cabaret, world famous for its windmill (and the film by the same name).

- *Pigalle*, Paris’ red light district (also partly in the 9th).
- *Goutte d’Or*, best known for its confluence of North African people, food, and products.
- *Montmartre Cemetery*, which has tombs including historic figures like Edgar Degas and Dalida, plus more modern names like Pierre Cardin and France Gall. 
- The *Mur des Je t’aime*, a mural which features the words “I love you” in more than 250 languages.  
- Several small but fascinating museums, including the *Museum of Montmartre* (history of the art scene), *Halle Saint-Pierre *(contemporary art), the *Dali Museum*, and the *Historial de Montmartre*.
- Music venues *La Cigale, Le Trianon*, and *Élysée Montmartre*, which host concerts by well-known touring artists most nights of the week. 
- *Adidas Arena*, an excellent new sports and concert venue at *Porte de la Chapelle*.

## The best reasons to live in the 18th arrondissement

There’s an incredible array of attractions and amusements in the 18th. Here are just a select few:

### The pull of *Montmartre*

For many newcomers to Paris, the idea of **waking up every day in *****Montmartre***** and strolling its historic streets is a dream**. Provided you can handle the hill itself—very steep in sections—it’s a quite extraordinary place to live. 

The artistic roots run deep, with former residents including Picasso, Braque, Dalida, and Modigliani. You’ll see murals and homages all around, and *Place du Tertre *is full of painters selling their work and delivering real-time caricatures for tourists. 

Aside from its history and vibe, ***Montmartre***** also has wonderful modern cafés and restaurants, excellent boulangeries and fromageries**, and plenty of great shops. It manages to be both a window to a bygone era, and a high-functioning, convenient place to live today. 

### The events and nightlife

We’ve previously described the [9th arrondissement as Paris’ social center](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/9th-arrondissement). Well, the 18th is literally across the road, and just as lively in the evenings and on weekends. There are lines down the street to watch international touring artists at *La Cigale* and *Le Trianon*. The pubs on Boulevard de Clichy are packed for every major rugby or football game. And you’ll find people stumbling out of clubs and late-night bars in the wee hours of every morning. 

The 18th, along with the 9th, [the 11th](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/11th-arrondissement), and [*Le Marais*](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/3rd-arrondissement), is one of those parts of Paris where **you can head with no real plan, and just see where the night takes you**. 

### The cuisine and café culture

The 18th is utterly overflowing with great food and coffee. For **French cuisine, there are the traditional tourist brasseries** around *Place du Tertre* or *Abbesses*, where vacationers stop for crêpes and escargot. Rue des Abbesses has a whole range of less *stereotypical* but also classically French bistros and restaurants, many of which are good. 

And we can’t forget *Bouillon Pigalle*, an undeniably touristy bistro on Boulevard de Clichy, that’s secretly also very popular with Parisians. (It’s one of the places you take your out-of-town friends for a fun, cheap meal.)

There are also **hipster-friendly brunch places** like *Hardware Societé* or *Sweet Rawmance*, excellent coffee at *The Beans On Fire*, *Café Pimpin*, and *Alba*, and exquisite pastries at *Sucré Coeur*, *Land&Monkeys *(vegan), and *La Manufacture de Sans Gluten* (gluten free). 

*Montmartre* also has **the best concentration of Italian restaurants in the city**—Al Caratello probably the most popular among them. You’ll find Greek, Mexican, Turkish, and Indian cuisine, and of course a wide range of North and Sub-Saharan African options near *Goutte d’Or*. The diversity of eating and drinking opportunities in the 18th is truly hard to beat. 

### Competitive prices

There was a time when living on *Montmartre *was actually *cheap*—probably because of the effort to climb the hill. That’s no longer the case, but **the wider 18th is generally an affordable arrondissement, and far less competitive than others**. 

In fact, the northern 18th (behind *Montmartre*) has become **a key area for first home buyers and solo renters**. Properties are in the bottom [five arrondissements for average price](https://aisainternational.fr/investments/the-most-expensive-areas-in-france-in-2024/), similar to outer neighborhoods like the [12th](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/12th-arrondissement), [13th](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/13th-arrondissement), and [20th](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/20th-arrondissement). 

You get a lot for your money as a result of being “far away” from the central city—but in reality the neighborhood is quite accessible. And you’re very close to so much entertainment, which is a major advantage. 

## Why you may *not* want to live in the 18th arrondissement

Many of the same reasons why people love this area turn others off. These are the chief reasons why some people choose not to live in the 18th.

### The tourists

There’s a definite downside to living in *Montmartre*—other than climbing the hill everyday. **This area is *****always***** busy, no matter the weather or time of year**. If you don’t like crowds, noise, and tour groups, this is not the area for you. And the same goes for *Pigalle* and *Blanche*, near the *Moulin Rouge*. 

But the tourist traffic concentrates around these areas, and much of the 18th isn’t touristy at all. In fact, the **areas around *****Jules Joffrin***** and *****Épinettes***** are calm, residential, and quite pretty**. 

So while the 18th can certainly be crowded in key places, not everywhere is like this. 

### The noise & activity

On top of tourists, there are also the aforementioned clubs, bars, and general social spirit. These are wonderful when you’re in the mood, but can be a real issue at other times. If you move here, do your due diligence on the particular street and building you’re moving to. 

Again, **there are quiet and residential parts of the 18th, but much of the arrondissement is geared towards entertainment**. 

### The seedy red light district

*Pigalle* is an undeniably fun and interesting part of the city to walk through in the early evening. But **the mix of suggestive cheek and full-on eroticism can be confronting**. And it may become too much for some people to deal with day in, day out. 

Again, this is fairly concentrated to a few main streets. You can easily live in the 18th and rarely encounter the red light area. It’s just something to be aware of—not to say that the area is *dangerous* at all, but it’s not to everyone’s taste. 

### The rougher edges

Aside from the red light district, there are **a few other stretches of the 18th where some can feel unsafe**. *Château Rouge*, *Barbès*, and *La Chapelle* are all lower socio-economic neighborhoods, and are seen by many to be less welcoming—perhaps even a bit unsafe. 

Whether you feel safe is largely subjective. Paris is generally [considered a safe city](https://housinganywhere.com/Paris--France/areas-to-avoid-in-paris), and expats need to be more concerned with minor issues like pickpocketing and scammers rather than their physical safety. But you should expect to feel less secure in these neighborhoods, particularly alone at night, and plan accordingly. 

### The accessibility challenges

It’s worth repeating once again that *Montmartre* is a steep hill. For able-bodied, fit people, this isn’t a major concern. But its **old streets aren’t particularly suitable for those in wheelchairs**, and may cause **extra stress to families pushing strollers**. 

There is metro access and a funicular that takes people up to *Sacré Coeur*, but you’ll still have to get around between these, and they can be frustrating in a hurry. It’s a great place to visit, and the steep roads may be fine once in a while, but **you should not live in and around *****Montmartre***** if mobility is a major challenge**. 

## Live the dream life in Paris’ 18th arrondissement

The 18th arrondissement is **one of the most dynamic, diverse, and culturally rich areas in Paris**. It offers historic charm, affordable rent (for the most part), and an exciting food and nightlife scene. And for many moving to the City of Lights, it provides the colorful, social lifestyle they’ve dreamed of. 

It is also crowded, noisy, and a bit rough in certain areas. Its steep, cobbled streets can also make it hard to get around for some. It’s **probably best for young professionals, creatives, and expats who enjoy city life** rather than those seeking peace and quiet. 

If you love artistic neighborhoods with character and don’t mind a bit of urban grit, the 18th could be an amazing place to call home. If that sounds interesting, here are [the best apartments to rent in the 18th right now](https://www.parisattitude.com/rent-apartment-paris-18.aspx). 

 

[Voir l'article complet](https://blog.parisattitude.com/en/18th-arrondissement)

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