What is Pigalle?

Pigalle sits below Montmartre, with cafés on Rue des Martyrs, bars around Rue Frochot and a long nightlife history. We have visited on Paris trips and keep returning to this corner for a meal or a wander. These are the places we enjoyed; for the wider trip, see our Paris guide.

Stay

At Le Pigalle, a lovely boutique hotel that’s perfectly placed for exploring both Pigalle and neighboring Montmartre. All the rooms have a strong Parisian identity and are decorated in the style of the local quarter known as the “Nouvelle Athènes”. Think quirky-cool with vintage furniture, vinyl records, books, and artwork and prints from local artists. ​ Le Pigalle, 9 Rue Frochot, 75009, hotel website Book room at Le Pigalle

Guest room at Le Pigalle boutique hotel in Paris

Vintage furniture and artwork at Le Pigalle hotel in Paris

Quirky Parisian decor at Le Pigalle hotel near Montmartre

Lounge with vinyl records at Le Pigalle hotel in Paris

Cafés and restaurants

For simple, good breakfasts

Head to KB Café Shop that serves great coffee, toasts, baguettes, salads and cake.

KB Café Shop, 53 Avenue Trudaine, 75009, website

Café Marlette for good, simple breakfasts and cakes.

Café Marlette, 51 Rue des Martyrs, 75009, current coffee shop page

Breakfast at KB Café Shop in Pigalle, Paris

Coffee and cake at a Pigalle café in Paris

Toasts and coffee at a Paris breakfast café in Pigalle

Heavenly cake at Café Marlette on Rue des Martyrs, Paris

For lunch or dinner

Head to Pink Mamma, the Big Mamma Group’s four-floor trattoria. Each floor has its own décor, and there is a speakeasy in the basement. Pink Mamma now takes reservations for lunch and dinner through its website, while keeping some tables for walk-ins. Book ahead if you have a fixed schedule; otherwise, arrive near the start of service and expect a possible wait. ​ Pink Mamma, 20bis Rue de Douai, 75009, official website and bookings

Bars and nightlife

Drinks

For colorful tiki kitsch and wonderful drinks, head to Dirty Dick across from Le Pigalle hotel. ​ Dirty Dick, 10 Rue Frochot, 75009

Shops

Shop

We enjoyed browsing Célia Darling for vintage clothes, accessories, shoes and bags. We could not confirm its current opening details, so check before making a special trip.

​Célia Darling, 5 Rue Henri Monnier, 75009

Vintage clothes at Célia Darling boutique in Pigalle, Paris

Vintage shoes and bags at Célia Darling in Pigalle, Paris

We also visited Dessine-moi un soulier on Rue Houdon, where you could design shoes by choosing a style, fabric, color and details. That Pigalle shop has since closed. The brand now lists a Paris showroom on Rue de Turenne, so check its current visit details if you want to make a pair.