The historic hilltop village of Montmarte in northern Paris is one of the city’s most popular tourist spots – and a magical place to embark on a gastronomic tour.
There are a wide number of organised tours that invite you to explore the vibrant village while savouring some of the delicacies and dishes that have helped make it a major foodie hotspot. Dotted with artisan food shops and traditional cafés, tours of the area lend themselves to frequent stop-offs, while its winding streets add a sense of charm and discovery to the experience. Among the tours currently available is the Montmartre Food and Wine Tour by Eating Europe Paris – and we’ve reviewed it for you below.
What can you expect from the tour?
The three-hour walking tour takes you to the very centre of the district, allowing you to discover a total of eight new food and drink locations. You’ll visit these outlets while taking a pleasant stroll through the cobbled streets dotted with small bakeries, little food shops and independent restaurants. In addition to enjoying fantastic food, you’ll also see notable local landmarks including the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, and take in subline views thanks to the village’s elevated hilltop setting.
How is the tour structured?
The tour is structured to allow participants to stroll through Montmartre, with food stops appearing sporadically over the trip, rather than being packed into one location. You’ll be walking through different parts of the neighbourhood, frequently stopping to enjoy some food and drink and listen to your guide talk about the people, traditions and events behind each venue and its culinary offerings.
The trip is deliberately designed to be relaxed and slow-paced, with plenty of time for eating, conversing and having a good time in between stops. Moreover, the groups are kept small, with no more than 10 participants in each tour, which adds to the feeling of it being a more intimate and personal experience.
How much of Montmartre do you get to see?
While food is at the heart of the tour, it’s also an opportunity to get acquainted with Montmartre in general. During the tour, you’ll find yourself navigating the cobblestone streets and the hillside that define the area, and discovering some of the landmarks for which Montmartre is most famous.
Places of interest on the itinerary include the iconic Sacré-Cœur Basilica and the Belvedere of Montmartre, where you can admire the panoramic views of Paris from above. Your guide will take you through the history of Montmartre that includes its rich artistic and bohemian culture, most closely associated with artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh and Monet.
What food and drink do you get to try?
The tasting selection is designed to take you on a diverse journey through French cuisine. This encompasses both savoury dishes and desserts, plus white wine and Limoncello. Highlights include an authentic baguette from an award-winning bakery, oysters, charcuterie Rosette, PDO cheese and sausages with ‘aligot’ – mashed potatoes with cheese and cream. For sweet toothed participants, there are also pain au chocolat or chouquettes, chocolate and hazelnut spread, citrus jam, amaretti biscuits and macarons.
What is the price of the tour?
Prices for the Montmartre Food and Wine Tour currently start from €124 per adult, with reduced rates of €112 for adolescents aged 13-17 and €99 for children aged 4-12.
This includes the three-hour guided walking tour and the food and drink tastings offered at various stops along the route.
Summary
On balance, this tour provides a fun and easy-going introduction to Montmartre via the cuisine of the district. Its main selling points are the small-group format, diverse selection of food and drink samples, experienced local guide and the opportunity to visit one of Paris’s most charming neighbourhoods while learning about its culinary culture. All in all, for people who are interested in exploring Montmartre itself but also sampling some of the food and drink that help define the area, we’d highly recommend it.