Montemarte -- better at night or during the day?
 

Or does it matter?

I'm trying to plan our Paris trip in June. Thought I read somewhere that it's not so safe in Monmarte at night. Should our family plan to visit during the day instead of in the evening?

Thanks,
Dina

Day time is better if you want to see things and people watch as they get their portraits painted. I've never been at night so don't know about that issue.

In the daytime you get a wonderful view of Paris from the steps at Sacre Cour and there is lovely little park behind the church. You can ride the funicular up to the top. (Included in a Metro pass). The artists can be aggressive as they hawk their wares but IMO the daytime is the best especially with a family. I have been there at night and I thought it was sketchy.

Thank you.

Which neighborhood would be nice to explore after dark... The Left Bank, perhaps, or the Marais?

I realize it doesn't get dark until 10 pm in Paris in late June, so perhaps it isn't an issue. We will be there during the summer soltice festival, as well. So could I assume that almost everywhere will be lively and fun after dark?

Thanks again,
Dina

Do you realize that you will be there during the Fete de la Musique?

As for Montmartre, I've been there both day and night with no problems, but the views are certainly better during the day.

I think the Iles and walking along the Seine are beautiful at night. Also, you might want to take a night time boat ride, just a thought.

I recently stayed 15 days in the Marais alone-VERY SAFE AT NIGHT!

Montmartre is safe at night, but there's nothing to see; all the interesting activity (artists, shops, etc.) takes place during the day. Sacré-Cœur is nicely lit in the evening, but that's about it. Some areas to the east of Sacré-Cœur are dicey in the evenings, but tourists never go there, anyway. Pigalle is okay, and is much more lively than Montmartre in the evening (with the Moulin Rouge and other places open to keep it moving), but most of the activity in the evenings is sex clubs and bars.

At night active places include the Champs, the Latin Quarter, the area around and east of the Bastille, Montparnasse, etc. These places are active into the wee hours, or even all night. Note, however, that for kids there isn't much that's interesting late at night—just restaurants, cinemas, and bars, mostly. On the Champs some stores stay open until midnight or beyond, and some restaurants are open all night. The last movie showings are usually around 10 PM to midnight, with later shows on Saturdays and Sundays. Movies in English (with subtitles) are pretty easy to find, especially in touristy areas.

I just noticed your mention of June. Yes, the sun is out very late indeed at the solstice. The sun <i>sets</i> at 10 PM on June 21, and the sky remains lit much later (until midnight, if you look carefully). The opening hours of businesses don't change much, but people are often out and about much later in the day, since there's still plenty of light, and on the 21st there are a lot of amateur and professional bands playing music in the city, since the 21st is both the solstice and the F&ecirc;te de la Musique. Be advised that a lot of the bands leave much to be desired (I get the impression that for the worst of them this is their one and only chance to play in public each year).

Dina, I stayed 8 days in Montmartre, walked around one night 'til 1am &amp; didn't have a problem. I love walking around Place du Tertre at night when you can truly see the charm of the square.