Black Montmartre Walking Tour
5602646P3
5602646P3
5602646P3
5602646P3
5602646P3
5602646P3
5602646P3
5602646P3
5602646P3
5602646P3
Overview
On this tour, we connect those dots, tracing how Montmartre came to be, and the larger global forces that drew Black Americans, Africans, and Caribbeans to this very special part of Paris.
On this walk, you’ll get:
A clear, engaging history of Montmartre beyond the usual stories
The chance to see the neighborhood’s major sites through a fresh lens
A local guide who knows how to avoid most of the crowds (and pigeons )
A deeper understanding of how movement and migration shape places, and why Montmartre became a crossroads for Black life and culture
Tour at a glance
What's included
- Tips on what else to see, eat and do in the area
- Tour is rain or shine (it rains often in Paris , but usually lightly)
- Guided by a local who cares about the neighborhood!
Not included
- Meals
- Gratuities
- We won't be entering Sacré Cœur, but will be taking in the views.
- We won't be entering the Moulin Rouge
Itinerary
-
1
Vigne du Clos Montmartre
We begin at a small vineyard tucked among apartment buildings, a reminder that Montmartre was once covered in vines. The wine sold here set the stage for a community that would eventually welcome an extension of the Harlem Renaissance.
10 min Admission free -
2
La Petite Maison Rose de Montmartre (Since 1920)
We pass one of Montmartre’s most photographed streets and buildings, a picture-perfect moment.
Pass by (no stop) Admission free -
3
Eglise Saint-Pierre de Montmartre
One of the oldest churches in Paris, Saint-Pierre marks Montmartre as sacred ground and a site of pilgrimage for African and Caribbean seminaries in the early 1800s. For years, people from all over the world climbed this hill, tracing the steps of Montmartre’s legendary bishop.
15 min Admission free -
4
Basilique Du Sacre-Coeur De Montmartre
We won’t enter the basilica, but we’ll unpack the tragic events that led to its construction and how they shaped Montmartre’s rebellious, outsider culture.
15 min Admission not included -
5
Place Du Tertre
At Montmartre’s center, where art and politics collide, we revisit post–World War I celebrations honoring Black soldiers, alongside a lesser-known and more troubling commemoration held in the square.
10 min Admission free -
6
Le Bateau-Lavoir
Best known as Picasso's studio, the Bateau-Lavoir gives us a moment to step beyond the famous names and look at the work of lesser-known Black artists who passed through Montmartre, artists shaped by the same precarity, and experimentation that defined the hill.
10 min Admission not included -
7
We pass by the Moulin de la Galette, once a windmill turned popular dance spot, where working-class Parisians, artists, and outsiders gathered.
Pass by (no stop) Admission free -
8
Moulin Rouge
In front of the Moulin Rouge, we see how Montmartre’s rebellious spirit spilled downhill into Pigalle’s looser nightlife, creating a rare space that welcomed Black performers.
5 min Admission not included -
9
We stop at the former site of Chez Josephine, where we unpack the performance that made Josephine Baker a star and how it clashed with the ideals of the Negritude movement.
15 min Admission free -
10
We end at the former site of Le Grand Duc, a hugely popular jazz club and pillar of Paris’s Jazz Age. Here, we trace how that era came to an end and where Black communities in Paris took root afterward.
15 min Admission free
Meeting & pickup
Everyone meets at the start point.
Schedule
Good to know
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- There is some uphill walking
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Traveller reviews
Antonia has put together a great tour of Montmarte and its Black history. I thought the tour would focus on the 1920's but she wove into the tour a much longer arc of history. I did this walking tour, one on WW2, and a general walking tour. Even at times we were in the same spaces, the narrative was unique and I am glad I did all three. One thing to keep in mind is that Antonia's narrative is about a world gone by, so photos are of the place as it is today and not the historic venues.
So glad we booked this tour of Black Montmartre! We learned so much about the area’s fascinating history, culture, and art, while also discovering some very cool spots throughout Montmartre. Antonia is an incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and fun guide. She made the experience truly memorable and helped us easily and comfortably navigate the different neighborhoods while sharing fascinating stories and insights along the way. This was a wonderful way to experience a side of Montmartre that we might otherwise have missed. Highly recommend!
Antonia was amazing! She did a wonderful job of sharing the history of the area AND the history of Africans/African-Americans in the area. It was a really balanced telling of history.
Antonia's knowledge of the area was amazing. She was very friendly and professional and we appreciated that. She speaks both English and French fluently. I would definitely recommend her to others.
Antonia was very knowledgeable, friendly, and patient. We learned a lot about the black/African experience in England, as well the music history. I would definitely recommend that folks go with her on this tour.
Such a special introduction to a fascinating neighborhood! Since it was just me and two friends with our guide, it was a nice chance to have a more personalized experience with plenty of times to ask questions and talk through both the excellent historical background she offered on the black experience in Paris and her thoughts on what Montmartre is like to live in today. Highly recommend for both visitors new to the local history and those with a bit more background!
Antonia was so personable and knowledgeable. It was a very in in-depth and informative tour about the black experiences that were so vital to the Montmarte region of Paris. She was patient, kind and overall on point. We had the luxury of having a private tour, so she took time to make it a very memorable experience for us in our first trip to Paris. We appreciate you, Antonia!
This walking tour is informative and Enlightening. Sharing info that isn’t normally found on other tours.
Reviews are collected by Viator and Tripadvisor from verified travellers.
Frequently asked questions
How long does this experience last?
It lasts 2h.
Is hotel pickup included?
Everyone meets at the start point.
Can I cancel for free?
Yes. Cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.
Which languages is the guide available in?
Guide languages: EN
On which days does it run?
It runs Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat. Starts 10:00, 13:00
How fast is the booking confirmed?
Instantly. Your e-ticket arrives by e-mail right after booking.
Is this a private tour?
No, this is a shared group experience.
Where do I complete the booking?
On viator.com, a Tripadvisor company, with live availability and secure payment. TourViaGo is a Global Partner of Viator.
Product code 5602646P3
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