Musée de Montmartre

About the museum

The museum opened in 1960 in the Maison du Bel Air, one of the oldest buildings on the Butte Montmartre, dating from the 17th century and surrounded by gardens. At 12 rue Cortot, many artists worked, among them Renoir, Émile Bernard, Raoul Dufy, Charles Camoin, Suzanne Valadon and Maurice Utrillo. In 1912, Suzanne Valadon, Maurice Utrillo and André Utter moved into a studio-apartment in the house.

Since 1960 the museum has presented the collections of the Société d’Histoire et d’Archéologie “Le Vieux Montmartre”, founded in 1886; it has held the “Musée de France” label since 2003. The building belongs to the City of Paris, and the Kléber Rossillon group runs the site.

The permanent collections bring together paintings, posters and drawings. They trace the history of the Butte, from the Bateau-Lavoir studios to the Atelier Cortot, and its cabarets, from the Lapin Agile to the Moulin Rouge, including the shadow theatre of the Chat Noir. Suzanne Valadon’s studio has been restored and furnished based on letters and photographs of the period. The Jardins Renoir overlook the Clos Montmartre.

Highlights

• Restored studio-apartment of Suzanne Valadon, Maurice Utrillo and André Utter
• Collections on the studios and cabarets of Montmartre
• Shadow theatre of the Chat Noir
• Jardins Renoir with a view of the Clos Montmartre
• Café Renoir under a glass roof
• 17th-century Maison du Bel Air

Permanent exhibitions

• Histoire de la Butte Montmartre, ses ateliers et ses cabarets – Paintings, posters and drawings on the artistic life of Montmartre, from the Bateau-Lavoir studios to the shadow theatre of the Chat Noir.
• L’atelier de Suzanne Valadon – Restored studio-apartment where Suzanne Valadon, Maurice Utrillo and André Utter lived from 1912.
• Les jardins Renoir – Gardens inspired by the paintings Renoir made on site, with a view of the Clos Montmartre.

Founded

1960

Operated by

Kléber Rossillon (gestion) ; bâtiment propriété de la Ville de Paris

Admission & discounts

€14 outside temporary exhibitions; members of the Amis du Louvre and the Société des Amis d’Orsay pay €14 during a temporary exhibition. Free entry on presentation of proof for holders of a tourism professional card, an ICOM card, a licensed guide card or a Vieux Montmartre membership card. Private small-group visit with a guide: €250.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Temporary exhibition spaces are wheelchair-accessible by lift. Access to the permanent collections is more difficult (cobblestones, small steps, stairs).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Family workshop visits; birthday parties at the museum for 5 to 10 children aged 6 to 12 (2 h 30: 1 h 30 workshop visit, followed by a snack).

Getting there & parking

The museum is near the Sacré-Cœur and the Place du Tertre.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Coat check: not available

Café Renoir with a glass roof overlooking the garden and tables on the terrace. The museum has no cloakroom and no luggage storage.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 350 guests.

Evening events across the whole site (1,100 m², up to 350 guests), the Jardin Demarne (up to 150 guests), the Jardin Bel Air (up to 80 guests) and the Salle Poulbot for seminars (up to 50 guests). Filming and photo shoots are possible. Contact: privatisations@museedemontmartre.fr.

Plan your visit