Pigalle: Discover the Red-Light District of Paris

Pigalle is one of the most visited neighborhoods in Paris, located at the foot of the Montmartre hill, another must-see for anyone visiting the city. Let's explore what to see in Pigalle, the Paris neighborhood once known for its bad reputation.

Pigalle is located in the 9th and 13th arrondissements of Paris. The simplest way to reach it is by subway; just take Line 12 and get off at the Pigalle stop.

Among the top attractions in Pigalle is definitely the Moulin Rouge, the famous cabaret that still offers unique performances today. Around Place Pigalle, throughout Boulevard de Clichy and beyond, you will find the sex shops of the neighborhood, with the most famous and largest being the Sexodrome. In the same area is the Museum of Eroticism, an unusual and unique place dedicated to erotic art in all its forms. But Pigalle has much more to offer. Absolutely don't miss the Museum of Romantic Life and the Gustave-Moreau Museum, a small, charming house-museum.

If you love walking, head to the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur at the top of Butte Montmartre. The walk is a bit challenging, but it's well worth it.

The So-Pi area (South Pigalle) is located south of Pigalle where rue des Martyrs is lined with cafés and pastry shops, making it perfect for a stop.

You will also find many unique and characteristic shops here, perfect for shopping; furthermore, on rue des Martyrs is the Divan du Monde, which was once a red-light cinema but is now primarily a concert hall devoted to world music.

In the Pigalle neighborhood, you will come across a small chapel rich in charm, not so much for its architecture but for what it represents. We are talking about La Sainte Rita Chapel, a Roman Catholic chapel located at 65 Boulevard de Clichy in honor of Saint Rita, known as "the saint of impossible causes" because she is invoked in the most difficult situations. It was inaugurated in 1956 to protect the prostitutes of Pigalle.

On rue des Martyrs is La Fourmi, a gastro-pub with reasonable prices and industrial design; meanwhile, on Boulevard Clichy, there's La Marmite, a great little restaurant for both lunch and dinner, with a truly satisfying quality/price ratio.

Right at Place Pigalle, we find the Omnibus, perfect for any time of day whether you want to have breakfast, a full meal, or enjoy a glass of wine.

Pigalle at night offers a wide selection of venues. Near Place Pigalle is La Cigale, a concert hall, if you feel like spending an evening enjoying good music. On Boulevard de Clichy is the largest nightclub in the capital, La Locomotive, which focuses on electronic programming. Of course, Pigalle is dotted with peep shows, but be careful of scams.