18ème Arrondissement – Butte Montmartre Property Insight

The 18th arrondissement is situated on the right bank of the Seine River and has for neighbours the 8th, 9th, 10th, 17th and 19th arrondissements. It benefits from an exceptional geographic location. Perched on a 130 meters chalky hill and with its maze of winding stairs, it dominates Paris and is one of the most visited area of the French capital. It was originally occupied by druids and its atmosphere is truly one of a kind. Butte Montmartre was also chosen as main scenery for many movies, notably Amélie which draws up a modern picture of the district. It offers eye-catching views and has really an enchanting charm worth to experience.

Locally simply called La Butte, this quarter is loved for its beautiful surroundings. It was the favoured place of artists who used to spend there a bohemian life within the winding alleys. It was the stronghold of flourishing artist communities like Picasso or Dali and is still a thriving artistic place; many art galleries and exhibitions are found here. This historical district was besides the privileged place to exchange political considerations and has indeed always driven out creation in all its forms.

With many and various happenings, Butte Montmartre is probably the most cosmopolitan arrondissement of Paris. Its quarters have different atmospheres, from the trendy area to the residential one; it will meet everyone's expectations. Working-class mix with petit-bourgeois and the commercial establishments are really miscellaneous. People, shops or art, there you easily meet other cultures everywhere.

All arrondissements in Paris are divided into four quarters; as follows are the quarters of the 18th arrondissement.

• Goutte-d’Or: looking like a working-class area, it has a miscellany of colourful bazaar-like shops to rummage in and dig out unique items. This quarter is renowned for the Marché Dejean, where you can find various products of the African continent. The Barbès market is also very appreciated for its wide range of early fruit and vegetables. This area is mostly pedestrian and shopping here seems to be the favourite hobby.
• Grandes-Carrières: thus named because here used to stand gypsum quarries in the Middle Ages. It was also the theatre of the Quatre-Z'Arts drag show. Today we can find little bits of everything: hospitals, schools, mills but especially picturesque sites with beautiful views on the capital. Rue Girardon, a small obelisk from 1736 is to be seen.
• La Chapelle: formerly a small suburban village, it has kept its popular nature. It is mainly based on the La Chapelle market and the shopping street rue L’Olive. Not to pass by in this quarter are the Jardins d’ Eole, a soothing green area and two sacred art buildings; the Basilique Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc and the Saint-Denys de la Chapelle church, which is told to have welcomed Jeanne d’Arc.
• Clignancourt: we cannot evoke Montmartre without speaking of the Puces de Saint-Ouen, the largest flea market of Europe located Porte de Clignancourt. Since 1885, this sprawling bazaar abounds of diverse curiosities scattered in winding arcades. From fine antiques to collectible kitsch, it is as one chooses. In order to even more enjoy, your saunter is often accompanied with jazz music.
• Pigalle: spreading both on the 9th and 18th arrondissements, this quarter is not administrative but is nevertheless a famous area of Paris. This red-light quarter is a real attraction for tourists and a buzzing location at night. It amongst others nestles the eroticism museum and the world-renowned Moulin Rouge cabaret. It was also the home of the Grand Guignol theatre and the south is devoted to the retail of musical instruments.

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18ème Arrondissement – Butte Montmartre Immobilier & Property Market Trends

The whole Paris real estate prices increased these last five years but have slowed for one year. This also applies to the 18th arrondissement. Property prices in 2009 remained quite stable until June, when they begun to slightly increase again. Except for the Goutte-d’Or district, which over a year recorded a drop of around 10 %. Besides, with an average buying price of €5,510 /sq m it is one of the cheapest arrondissements of Paris. (The capital average is €7,024 /sq m)

The dwellings are there very heterogeneous. You can find constructions in brick as well as in cut stone and modern buildings stand next to Haussmann ones. This district has an exceptional concentration of beautiful buildings but it is however difficult to find big areas. The average is indeed 61 sq m. Butte Montmartre is currently implementing a new city plan project and the housing stock should therefore develop.

Property prices vary according to the quarters. Prices go ascending following this order: Goutte-d’Or, La Chapelle, Clignancourt and Grandes-Carrières. The most expensive area is on the genuine Butte Montmartre where prices tend to be astronomical. Nevertheless it is regarded by many as the most beautiful area of Paris, so one thing explains another...

Butte Montmartre is renowned for its artistic surroundings and for its unique lifestyle. Furthermore, property prices are surprisingly low for a hotspot of tourism. So why not make the most of this windfall? Prices will probably rise again, so it is the right time to invest. Besides, this district also represents good buy-to-let opportunities. Since it is a very sought-after area, you will not have problems to find tenants.

To get updated info about the property prices in Paris, please browse our French Property Market Reports published in the News Section every month.

Characteristics of the 18ème Arrondissement – Butte Montmartre

• Basilique du Sacré-Coeur: this Roman-byzantine basilica dedicated in 1919 is one of the most loved monuments of Paris. The construction is remarkable for its Greek cross, its majestic dome and its arcade, decorated with the largest mosaic in the world (475 sq m). Besides, the striking building offers stunning views on the capital. The area around Sacré Coeur abounds with gift shops, cafés, traditional small restaurants and character creperies. At its footsteps, the gardens are a privileged place for artists to set up their easels.

• Espace Dali Montmartre: the unique permanent exhibition in France devoted to the pope of surrealism. There you can admire 300 of his works, especially sculptures and graving. And keep your eye out for small Dali signs, spread even where you do not expect. Originality also prizes in the accompanying narration of the master. Within a theatrical decor, you will plunge in a wild, shadowy and dreaming universe absolutely worthing a detour.

• Moulin Rouge: this worldwide famous cabaret offers shows, dinners and combined programs. The big productions presented intersperse choreographed dance, magicians, comedians and jugglers. It lived its golden age at the beginning of the 20th century and is nevertheless still mostly known for its cancan shows. Besides, it is in this cabaret that several French stars made their first steps, Edith Piaf for instance. It can truly be characterised as a turn-of-the-20th century burlesque palace.

• Montmartre Cemetery: going back to almost two centuries, it is the final resting place for many artists who lived in the Montmatre area, like Stendhal or Offenbach. But the real reason to visit this cemetery is to see the ornate tombstones, sculptures, and other sometimes macabre, sometimes touching memorials Parisians have left here for their dead. In some way it embodies the whimsical, quixotic and romantic capital.

• Halle Saint Pierre: this art centre is dedicated to art brut, this so peculiar art free of social pressure. Nestling a museum and a gallery, it welcomes surprising permanent and temporary exhibitions. It also has an art bookstore, an auditorium as well as a coffeehouse. Furthermore, it organizes several workshops and diverse events so as to increase public awareness of art.

• Musée de l’Erotisme: this unusual museum presents erotic art exhibitions of artists from all over the world. However do not be mistaken, this is not a tourist trap but a serious museum which has gathered a first-class collection of erotica. Four floors of paintings, illustrations, sculptures and various objects allow you to explore erotica in travelling through different regions and periods. It is a curiosity of Paris really not to miss.