In Montmartre, Rue Lepic is much more than just a thoroughfare leading to the Sacré-Cœur. It begins near Place Blanche, at the foot of the hill, then winds its way up in a long curve past shops, cafés, and historic buildings. Although it’s very busy, it still retains a genuine neighborhood feel, especially as you move away from Boulevard de Clichy.
Rue Lepic, from Place Blanche to the Moulin de la Galette
On this street, produce stands, bakeries, restaurants, and small shops line the narrow sidewalk. At number 15 is the Café des Deux Moulins, made famous by *Amélie*… Several neighboring shops also appear on screen, which explains why groups of visitors still regularly stop in front of their storefronts.
Further up, the outdoor seating areas become fewer and farther between, the slope grows steeper, and you reach the Moulin de la Galette area. The name actually refers to several venues linked to Montmartre’s old mills, including the Blute-Fin, located at 81 Rue Lepic. The archives of the Carnavalet Museum show that a ballroom, a café, and a cabaret already occupied the site in the 19th century.
This part of the street owes much of its fame to painters. Renoir immortalized the old popular dance hall, while Vincent van Gogh was drawn to the mills on the hill on several occasions. Their proximity made his task easier: between 1886 and 1888, the painter lived with his brother Théo at number 54.
A climb up Montmartre that has become a stage of the Tour de France
The slope of Rue Lepic is no longer of interest only to strollers. On July 26, the Tour de France peloton climbed the street three times during the final stage, before the finish on the Champs-Élysées. Already part of the road race routes for the 2024 Olympic Games and the 2025 Tour, this cobblestone climb has quickly become one of the most recognizable sections of the Parisian finale.
Between a movie set, traces of Van Gogh, a former dance hall, and—more recently—some of the most spectacular stages of the Tour de France, Rue Lepic continues to write its legend into the Parisian landscape. It’s up to you to visit it.
Location: Rue Lepic, 75018