At 12 Rue Cortot in Montmartre, this small art museum traces the neighborhood’s artistic and cultural past through paintings, posters, photographs and objects. It occupies historic houses once used by artists including Auguste Renoir and Suzanne Valadon. See Valadon’s recreated studio, then walk through the Renoir Gardens, where the setting recalls scenes he painted here. The garden café is a calm place to pause after exploring the compact exhibition rooms.
A house shaped by Montmartre’s artists
The Musée de Montmartre occupies one of the oldest houses on the hill, at 12 Rue Cortot. Built in the 17th century, the property has had several connections to the area’s artistic life. Artists including Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Suzanne Valadon lived or worked here, and the buildings also housed studios used by other painters.
The museum opened to the public in 1960. Its collections tell the story of Montmartre through art and material from the neighborhood’s cultural life. Paintings, drawings, posters, photographs and other objects provide different ways into that history, including its studios, cafés and cabarets. The exhibitions are spread across historic buildings, so the visit moves between rooms rather than following a single large gallery.
Artists represented in the museum’s history include Renoir, Valadon, her son Maurice Utrillo, Toulouse-Lautrec and Modigliani. The collection also includes work connected to Maximilien Luce. Temporary exhibitions add another focus, so their subject can change the emphasis of a visit.
Valadon’s studio and the artworks
One of the most distinctive interiors is the recreated studio of Suzanne Valadon. Its glass roof and preserved atmosphere offer a close look at the kind of workspace associated with an artist who lived and worked in the house. Valadon’s work and life are part of the museum’s account of Montmartre, alongside the story of her son, painter Maurice Utrillo.
The museum is intimate in scale, with smaller rooms and a collection that is not limited to paintings. Posters and other objects help place the artworks within the district’s social life, including its entertainment venues. Take time to look at how the different materials contribute to the story of the neighborhood, rather than expecting a large, single-purpose painting collection.
The Renoir Gardens
The gardens are named for Renoir, who lived at the property in the 1870s and painted several works in its surroundings. His paintings include scenes of the garden and the nearby Rue Cortot. The grounds have been arranged to recall elements of those works, including a version of the swing depicted in one of his paintings.
The garden also looks toward the Clos Montmartre vineyard. It provides a green setting between the museum buildings and a place to pause after the galleries. A café is located in the garden, with coffee, tea and a light menu noted among its offerings. Access to the garden is tied to a museum visit; one account also describes café access without a museum visit, so check current arrangements before planning a standalone stop.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is the Musée de Montmartre?
It is at 12 Rue Cortot, 75018 Paris, in Montmartre.
How much time should I allow?
Allow at least an hour for the museum and gardens. You can also take a break at the garden café.
Can you visit the garden?
Yes. The Renoir Gardens are part of the museum visit, with a view toward the Clos Montmartre vineyard.
Is advance booking recommended?
Yes, booking tickets in advance is recommended.
