Recommended Apartments in the 18th Arrondissement of Paris (Montmartre)

A small, well-equipped apartment near the Lamarck-Caulaincourt metro station, which means on the northern, quieter side of the hill, the side where real Montmartre locals still live and not just souvenir sellers. Within walking distance is the cabaret Au Lapin Agile, which has been running since the 19th century and where Picasso and Maurice Utrillo (1883–1955) were regulars. If you love chansons, you can walk back after the show, and that’s exactly the kind of detail that turns a place to sleep into an experience. Keep in mind that Montmartre is built on a hill: the walk back in the evening is uphill, and if walking is hard for you, a flat arrondissement will suit you better. I recommend it to a couple who come for the atmosphere of the hill and not just for the view from the Sacré-Cœur.

A choice of apartments in different sizes on Rue Tardieu, the street that leads from Place des Abbesses to the steps of the Sacré-Cœur and the funicular. It’s the same company I also recommended in the 1st and 3rd arrondissements, and their standard is consistent: a fully equipped kitchen, a Nespresso machine, hotel-quality sheets and towels, and interiors done by a designer rather than copied from a catalog. Check-in is with a digital code through an app. The area around Place des Abbesses is the living heart of Montmartre, with cafés, bakeries and shops. And that’s also the drawback: it’s one of the most crowded areas in Paris during the day, and the stream of visitors heading to the basilica never stops. I recommend asking for a unit that faces the courtyard, and heading up the hill early in the morning.

A spacious loft in the 18th arrondissement that suits a group or a big family, and that’s not common in an area where most apartments are small and meant for couples. The 18th is much more than Montmartre: it has the Marché Saint-Pierre with its fabric shops, the Goutte d’Or neighborhood with its markets and spices, and the steps and alleys where every corner is worth a photo. I’ve gathered all of it on my page of attractions in the 18th arrondissement. Keep in mind that this is a private rental, not a residence: there’s no reception desk, no daily housekeeping, and everything is arranged directly with the hosts. I recommend settling your arrival time with them a few days in advance.