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Montmartre, the most visited area in Paris, after the Eiffel Tower, is a delicious district to explore on a food tour.
Even though we’ve lived in Paris and visit family there multiple times a year, we didn’t really know much about the culinary scene in the Montmartre district.
Seeking to explore the local and authentic Parisian specialties, we teamed up with Devour Tours for a food tour in Montmartre.
Here’s our review of what to expect on a Montmartre food tour, one of the most charming districts in Paris.
Montmartre Food Tour – A Gastronomic Adventure
Montmartre, in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, is most famously known for being an artist’s village and for the Sacré-Cœur Basilica.
Beyond that, there is a real sense of local life with local restaurants, shops, and streets to explore.
We’ve taken other Devour Tours in Rome, San Sebastian, and Athens and love their local philosophy. Like Authentic Food Quest, they aim to connect curious travelers with local food and help culture thrive.
Juan, our local Parisian-born and raised tour guide, took us on an exciting Montmartre food and wine tour.
For about 3+ hours, our intimate group of seven savored the charming ambiance while exploring the Montmartre landscape through food.
We stopped at several family-owned eateries, had delicious French wines, and learned about the food culture and history.
The Montmartre area offers more than meets the eye. And its culinary gems are best revealed on a Montmartre food tour.
Devouring Montmartre Like a Local on a Paris Food Tour
Buttery Croissants
As it was a morning tour, French pastries kicked off this Montmartre food tour.
At a long-standing bakery-patisserie at the foot of Montmartre, we started off with freshly made fluffy and buttery croissants.
Utterly delicious, we all savored this French obsession as we learned about croissant historical facts and what makes them so delicious.
Exclusive French Chocolate and Macarons
From delicious croissants, we moved on to a local celebrated chocolate shop.
This exclusive chocolatier, or “Meilleur Ouvrier de France,” is known for 100% artisanal French craftsmanship and the finest ingredients.
Walking into the store in smaller groups of two, we each selected a French macaron from this prestigious store.
Juan also picked up some French chocolates for the group allowing us to savor another French delicacy and iconic treat.
These melt-in-your-mouth French chocolates and macarons gave us a necessary sugar rush as we walked up and down Montmartre’s charming streets.
Montmartre Food Tour Favorites
Divine French Quiche
One of my favorite French foods that I was excited to dive into was the country’s famous Quiche Lorraine.
Sitting at a family-owned restaurant at the top of a hill, I relished the fresh flavors of the vegetable quiche, listening to Juan.
We learned that Quiche Lorraine, a humble dish, started out as a simple farmer’s meal made from basic and readily available ingredients.
Over time, it evolved with the addition of Gruyère cheese to become a beloved culinary icon.
Copious in size and rich in flavor, this was one of my favorite stops on the tour.
RELATED: 10 Unmissable Traditional French Restaurants in Paris For Authentic Food
French Cheese and Charcuterie
A Montmartre food tour in France, a nation of cheese, would not be complete without sampling French cheese and charcuterie.
A favorite stop in this walking food tour, we stopped into a locally owned epicerie for some of the finest local products.
While savoring goat cheese, creamy cow cheese, and a variety of cured sausages and meats, we learned about the best food regions in France.
As we indulged in the wide variety, we all discovered new favorite cheeses and meats from the Auvergne region.
I was surprised to learn that the Auvergne region, in the middle of France, is particularly well known for its dry-cured sausages.
French Natural Wines
While I expected French wine to be a part of this Montmartre food tour, I wasn’t expecting to visit a natural wine shop.
One of the perks of taking a Montmartre walking food tour is discovering the places only the locals know about.
While trying red and white natural wines, we learned about the growing popularity of natural wines in France.
Vincent, the owner of the wine cellar, had us taste one natural white wine from the Loire Valley. This was followed by an exceptional red wine from the country’s southwest region.
The red wine was my favorite, and I appreciated the ability to have more if you wanted some.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: If you love cheese and wine, see our guide to The Best Cheese and Wine tasting tours in Paris
French Crepes from Brittany
If you are a French crepes fan like I am, this French food stop is sure to delight.
French crepes have their origins in Brittany, in western France, and are popular throughout the country.
Ready to rest our weary feet after walking up and down the hilly streets of Montmartre, Juan led the group to a family-owned creperie.
Described as one of the best places to eat in Montmartre for authentic crepes, no one could argue to the contrary.
Warm, delicate and topped with home made crème caramel au beurre salé, these crepes were to die for.
The cream of caramel with salt butter added the perfect hint of sweet and salty flavors to the amazing crepe.
RELATED: For more food tours in Paris, see our guide to The 10 Best Paris Food Tours For French Food Lovers
Montmartre Food Tour Cultural Insights
Montmartre is a “village in Paris,” Juan told us repeatedly during our walking food tour. The area, rich in historical culture, is also filled with hidden gems.
As we navigated the narrow streets, soaking up the charming atmosphere, Juan regaled us with stories and the history of the area.
Even though the Montmartre area was absorbed into Paris in 1860, it continues to retain its village charm.
As we walked through iconic streets, I was surprised to find a secret vineyard within Montmartre.
The vineyard, known as Clos Montmartre, produces wine made from traditional grape varieties. At the time of the Montmartre food tour, there were signs all around for the upcoming harvest festival.
The wine, we learned from Juan, was not necessarily the best tasting French wine. The wines are put up for auction, and the proceeds go to charity and social works in Montmartre.
I had a wonderful experience seeing the Montmartre district through the eyes of a local.
There is so much depth and history to this authentic village, and it comes to life best with a local guide.
Overall Impressions of the Montmartre Food Tour
What I Loved
Taking Paris tours is a wonderful way to go in depth into the local culinary culture and an area’s flourishing restaurant scene.
- Going off the beaten path: This Montmartre food tour took us to not typically visited by tourists. True to Devour Tours mission of providing authentic experiences, we skipped the touristy artistic district in Montmarte and focused on the local food culture.
- Plenty to eat: The portion sizes on this food tour are full-sized and generous, allowing you the opportunity to savor all the delicious flavors. You’ll be full at the end, so one tip is to skip breakfast or eat very light beforehand.
- Diversity and quality of food stops: I appreciated the diverse food stops on this tour from croissants to natural wines, crepes, and more. All were authentic and shared along with some history and context.
- A local and knowledgeable guide: Juan, a Parisian, knew Montmartre quite intimately and told us he lives in the nearby area. His culinary background working at several Paris based restaurants added to the overall insights he shared. Answering all questions while providing restaurant recommendations and sights to see, he made the food tour experience quite pleasurable.
What Could Be Improved on this Montmartre Food Tour
Overall, there was not much negative we could find about the Montmartre food tour. The food tour promised a Montmartre like a local, and it delivered. That said, there are a few things worth noting.
- Sweet food stops to start: While absolutely exquisite, the first few stops were sweet and sugar-heavy. Personally, I found it to be too much sweet in the morning. Make sure to have a bottle of water with you to clean the palate between bites.
- Pair food and wine: The last stop on the walking food tour was at a local Montmartre restaurant. We sampled a seasonal and copious French quiche. It would have been nice to enjoy the dish with wine rather than have the wine separately on the food tour.
- Dress for comfort: Montmartre is perched on a small hill, making it quite a hilly area. There are also plenty of staircases to climb up and down. While not a negative, we recommend wearing comfortable shoes to walk along the cobblestone streets easily.
RELATED: 7 Best Affordable Restaurants Near Eiffel Tower for French Food Lovers
How To Book Your Montmartre Food Tour
This Montmartre food tour with Devour Tours is one of the best food tours with an authentic focus.
In one of the most visited areas in Paris, it helps to navigate the local food scene with a guide. This ensures you sample the best food and visit local artisans while steering clear of the tourist path.
Tours are conducted in small groups of no more than 10 people and last 3.5 hours. If you have any dietary considerations be sure to note them while booking.
Watch Our Montmartre Food Tour Video
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Other Paris Tours Offered by Devour Tours
If you are looking to explore another Paris neighborhood, consider a Paris Ultimate Food Tour with Devour Tours.
This Paris food tour focuses on the Marais neighborhood and the stories behind the recipes and classic dishes.
This tour is also 3.5 hours long and includes 11+ tastings of French food and wine.
You’ll be accompanied by an expert guide who will make sure you leave well fed and with an understanding of French food in Paris.
To see all Paris tours offered by Devour Tours, please click this link: Devours Tours in Paris.
Have you ever taken a Montmartre food tour in Paris? Or any food tours in Paris? Please let us know in the comments below.
Savor the Adventure!
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Special thanks to Devour Tours for having us on this tour. All views and opinions expressed are our own. Full bellies and happy taste buds too.
Rosemary is the editor-in-chief and strategist at Authentic Food Quest.
Traveling slow since 2015 with her partner, Claire, she has explored the cuisine in 45 countries and more than 240+ culinary cities.
Her writing about local food specialties has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post.
As a food and travel writer, Rosemary has co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
Rosemary is an avid runner when she’s not eating and exploring new destinations. She has run ten marathons and counting.
Before Authentic Food Quest, Rosemary held senior-level strategy positions in advertising.
Find out more about Authentic Food Quest