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.
Location: 18th arrondissement of Paris
Inception: 1900
Official opening: July 13, 1900
Website: https://parisinfo.com/transports/103125/Funiculaire-de-Montmartre
GPS coordinates: 48.88528,2.34250
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:01
Funiculars have transported passengers up mountains and hills in cities worldwide for over a century. This collection covers 25 installations across five continents, from the Como-Brunate railway in Lombardy to the Fløibanen in Bergen, Norway. Some handle substantial elevation changes, such as the...
Sacré-Cœur
156 m
Highest point of Paris
172 m
Saint-Pierre de Montmartre
160 m
Halle Saint-Pierre
155 m
Square Louise-Michel
68 m
Rue Foyatier
10 m
Jardin des arènes de Montmartre
74 m
Square Nadar
84 m
Equestrian Statue of Joan of Arc
124 m
Christ in Majesty in Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre
185 m
Rue du Calvaire
179 m
Montmartre reservoir
108 m
Croix-Cottin
177 m
Equestrian Statue of Louis IX
120 m
Parvis du Sacré-Cœur
109 m
Grave of Mourlot
184 m
Grave of Desportes
182 m
Grave of Swetchine
185 m
Grave of Brochet
184 m
Grave of Galitzin
182 m
Chevalier de la Barre
105 m
Grave of Fitz-James
177 m
Grave of De la Salle
184 m
Grave of Lolotte
184 m
Grave of Maillé de Latour-Landry
179 m
Grave of Brierre
184 m
Grave of Bochart de Champigny
181 m
Grave of Granry
172 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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