Spring is often considered one of the best times of year to explore Paris.

The days are getting longer, the outdoor cafés are gradually reappearing, the trees are coming back to life, and walks are becoming more enjoyable.

In Montmartre, this season also transforms the neighbourhood. The gardens are in bloom, the narrow streets are adorned with fresh colours, and the atmosphere changes after the winter months.

It’s undoubtedly one of the best times to take the time to explore the hill on foot.

Here are a few particularly lovely walks to enjoy in spring.

Start the day in the neighbourhood’s still-quiet streets

The morning remains one of the best times to discover Montmartre.

Before the visitors arrive, the neighbourhood regains a more peaceful atmosphere. Shopkeepers open their shops, the outdoor cafés are slowly getting ready, and the locals reclaim the streets.

From the Relais Montmartre, a stroll around Rue Constance, Rue Lepic or Rue des Abbesses is a great way to soak up this atmosphere.

Spring brings a special light here that highlights the façades, shop fronts and the neighbourhood’s many architectural details.

This first stroll is often a brilliant way to start the day.

Strolling through the hill’s most iconic streets

Some streets in Montmartre are lovely all year round, but they take on a special charm in spring.

Rue de l’Abreuvoir is one of the must-sees. Lined with greenery and dominated by the silhouette of the Sacré-Cœur, it is one of the neighbourhood’s most beautiful streets.

The more low-key Rue Cortot, meanwhile, offers a glimpse of historic Montmartre with its old houses and almost village-like atmosphere.

Rue des Saules is also well worth a visit. Its quieter setting allows you to discover another side of the neighbourhood, away from the busiest areas.

The appeal of these walks lies as much in the streets themselves as in the many discoveries you make along the way.

Enjoy the views of Paris before the crowds arrive

The Sacré-Cœur attracts several million visitors every year.

In spring, the mornings still offer a chance to enjoy the site in pleasant conditions before the larger groups arrive in the afternoon.

From the heights of Montmartre, the view over Paris is particularly lovely when the sky is clear.

Even those who are already familiar with the neighbourhood often enjoy rediscovering this panorama at a time of year when the city is gradually coming back to life.

To make the most of the moment, it’s worth venturing slightly away from the main steps to discover some of the less crowded vantage points.

Take a break in the gardens of Montmartre

Spring is also the ideal season to enjoy the neighbourhood’s green spaces.

Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet Square, situated at the foot of the Sacré-Cœur, offers a pleasant setting to take a break whilst enjoying the view of the basilica.

The gardens of the Musée de Montmartre are also a particularly popular spot at this time of year.

Quieter than the neighbourhood’s busier spots, they allow you to enjoy a leafy setting whilst discovering a part of Montmartre’s artistic history.

These breaks often help to give the visit a more leisurely pace.

Discovering Montmartre’s vineyards as the warmer weather returns

Few visitors expect to discover a vineyard in the heart of Paris.

Yet the Clos Montmartre is one of the neighbourhood’s most surprising attractions.

In spring, the vines gradually regain their colour and present a very different sight from that seen during winter.

Although access to the vineyard remains restricted, the streets surrounding it make it easy to enjoy during a stroll.

Its presence is a reminder of Montmartre’s rural past, long before it became part of the capital.

It is also one of the reasons why the neighbourhood still retains such a distinctive identity today.

Enjoying the terraces when the fine weather returns

The return of spring also heralds the return of the outdoor terraces.

In the Abbesses neighbourhood, around Rue Lepic or in the small side streets, many cafés and restaurants are gradually coming back to life.

Taking the time to stop for a few moments is an integral part of the Montmartre experience.

The aim isn’t necessarily to follow a set itinerary, but rather to soak up the neighbourhood’s rhythm and atmosphere.

This simplicity often explains why Montmartre remains one of visitors’ favourite areas in spring.

Why is spring the ideal season to discover Montmartre?

Each season offers a different experience of the neighbourhood.

Winter brings out its cosy side. Summer brings more liveliness. Autumn transforms the streets with its colours.

Spring often combines the best of these different seasons.

Temperatures are pleasant, the days are longer and the crowds are generally less intense than in the height of summer.

For those who wish to explore Montmartre on foot, taking the time to stroll and enjoy the neighbourhood in ideal conditions, this is probably one of the most pleasant seasons.

A season that invites you to take your time

Montmartre is rarely best explored in a hurry.

The neighbourhood’s charm often reveals itself as you round a corner, climb a flight of steps or stop for a few minutes on a terrace.

Spring further enhances this feeling.

It’s a time when it’s easier to take the time to walk, observe and soak up the neighbourhood’s atmosphere.

Yet another reason to discover Montmartre at this time of year, when Paris is slowly coming to life after winter