Montmartre Funicular

A walk up the Butte Montmartre to see Sacré Coeur, enjoy the views of the city, and stroll around the little town full of artists is a must-do on any vacation to Paris. However, after a day of sightseeing, ascending the hill with its countless stairs might be difficult. So why not walk halfway up the hill from metro Anvers and then take the funicular the rest of the way? Originally built in 1900 as a steam-powered water-filled counterweight funicular train, this system quickly proved inefficient, and after two upgrades, today's funicular is capable of carrying approximately 2,000 riders per hour, as well as an impressive two million annual visitors, up to Sacré Coeur, the second most visited sight in Paris after Notre Dame.

The system is simply a funicular in name. The Montmartre Funicular is a relic of its previous design, in which its cars functioned in a counterbalanced, linked pair, constantly going in opposing directions in concert, thereby satisfying the definition of a funicular. The system presently employs two independently running cars that may individually ascend or descend on demand, so qualifying as a double inclined elevator, while the name funicular is retained in the title as a historical reference.

The 90-second journey up 118 feet, beside a 220-step stairway, one of the shortest on the high slope facing Paris, is especially beautiful in the snow. The Montmartre funicular is the best method to go to Sacre Coeur and Place du Tertre without devoting valuable energy to other Montmartre activities. You can see suburban Paris from the funicular as you ascend the slope and get a closer look as you descend the stairs. You may even witness Paris being painted a golden tint at sunset or the city lights come to life at nighttime if you time it perfectly. You wouldn't want to miss out on such Montmartre activities.

Location: Paris, France