Filled with cafés and bars, this historic hilly neighborhood was the meeting place of many great artists of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Explore museums and galleries, tour the underground tunnel networks and see the public burial pits in Montparnasse. Shop for boutique clothing, fine organic wines and beautifully crafted house wares. Find spectacular views of Paris from the observation deck of the Montparnasse tower.
Visit the entrance to Les Catacombes, a tunnel network running under most of the city. This vast network is about 185 miles (300 kilometers) long and features ancient public burial pits. Tour Les Catacombes and see some of the bones of about 6 million people packed into the walls. The bones were moved into the pits in the late 18th and mid-19th centuries to prevent disease.
Relax in one of the many bars and cafés in Montparnasse. Wander along Rue de la Gaïté and find charming cafés with outdoor seating. Stop at a cinema bar and visit the haunts of famous artists, including Man Ray and Jean Cocteau. Montparnasse was considered the center of creative and intellectual life in the early 20th century.
Discover the Fondation Cartier, a contemporary art museum. Take a guided tour of the gallery and admire the temporary exhibits. This unique center is designed as a space where artists and the general public can interact. With children’s workshops, the Fondation Cartier is perfect for the whole family. The museum is located about a 10-minute walk from the center of Montparnasse.
Wander through the Montparnasse Cemetery and see the graves of famous artists and writers, including poet Charles Baudelaire and playwright Samuel Beckett. The site was opened in the early 19th century and spans about 50 acres (20 hectares). Walk under the shade of the cemetery’s many trees and admire the gravestones.
Montparnasse is located on the left bank of the River Seine. It is known as a quieter area of Paris; however, it is renowned for its culture and attractions. Find less expensive accommodations in Montparnasse if you are traveling on a budget. Access the large Montparnasse–Bienvenüe Station via a number of lines on the Paris Metro.
In your exploration of Montparnasse, be sure to include a visit to one of the many crêperies for some of Paris’ finest sweet crêpes.