Montmartre funicular, Funicular railway at Montmartre hill, France.
The Montmartre funicular is an inclined cable railway that connects the base of the hill to its summit near Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Two cabins travel simultaneously on parallel rails, with one ascending while the other descends to balance the load.
The funicular opened in 1900 using an innovative water-counterweight system to balance the cabins on the slope. In 1935, it underwent a major conversion to electric power, marking the transition to modern mechanical operation.
The funicular has been woven into Montmartre's daily life for generations, serving both locals heading to work and visitors exploring the hilltop. Its cabins offer a moment of shared travel that connects the bustling lower neighborhood with the quieter artistic community above.
Standard Paris metro tickets and travel passes work for the funicular, which runs from early morning through late evening daily. The system is straightforward to use and requires no special preparation or advance booking.
The funicular carries more than two million people up the hill each year, making it one of the neighborhood's busiest transport systems. Yet it remains a quiet and efficient alternative to climbing the long staircase that runs alongside the basilica.
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