Skip to main content
MC
Français

Bateau-Lavoir - Cité d'artistes

In Montmartre, the Bateau-Lavoir is a noted Paris artists’ studio address. It is best seen from Place Émile Goudeau in the 18th arrondissement.

Bateau-Lavoir - Cité d'artistes

In pictures

  • Bateau-Lavoir - Cité d'artistes in Paris — tourist attraction, view 1
  • Bateau-Lavoir - Cité d'artistes in Paris — tourist attraction, view 2
  • Bateau-Lavoir - Cité d'artistes in Paris — tourist attraction, view 3
  • Bateau-Lavoir - Cité d'artistes in Paris — tourist attraction, view 4
  • Bateau-Lavoir - Cité d'artistes in Paris — tourist attraction, view 5
  • Bateau-Lavoir - Cité d'artistes in Paris — tourist attraction, view 6

About

The Bateau-Lavoir in Montmartre is one of the addresses that matters when exploring Paris artists’ studios. It is closely tied to the creative life once centered on the hill. Visitors come mainly for the place itself and for what it reveals about Montmartre’s artistic past. This is largely an exterior stop. The value lies in the building, Place Émile Goudeau, and the nearby lanes. They still feel quieter than the busiest parts of the district. The name often raises questions. “Bateau-lavoir” referred to old wash boats on the Seine. The comparison suggests a modest, tightly packed building. It was shaped more by practical studio life than by comfort. It is best approached as part of a wider walk through Montmartre. Arriving on foot from Abbesses or Lamarck-Caulaincourt works well. Allow a short stop rather than a long standalone visit. In clear weather, pair it with nearby viewpoints and smaller streets. In colder months, add an indoor art stop nearby for a more balanced route.

The Concierge's Tip

Go early or later in the afternoon, when Place Émile Goudeau feels calmer and easier to read. Approach on foot from Abbesses if you want the full Montmartre rhythm. If the hill is crowded, use the smaller side streets instead of the main tourist flow. This is a brief stop, not a long visit. In winter or on rainy days, pair it with a nearby indoor art venue.

Ask the Concierge

Our Concierge arranges your visit: skip-the-line tickets, a private guide, off-hours access.

Ask the Concierge

Frequently asked questions

What is the Bateau-Lavoir in Paris?
The Bateau-Lavoir is a historic Montmartre address linked to Paris artists’ studios. It is known for its place in the district’s creative history. Today, it is mainly a heritage stop. Most visitors come to understand the site, its name, and its setting. It is not usually approached as a long interior visit.
Where is the Bateau-Lavoir?
The Bateau-Lavoir stands at 13 Place Émile Goudeau in Paris’s 18th arrondissement, in Montmartre. It is best reached on foot through the hill’s smaller streets. The stop fits naturally into a wider walk around Montmartre. This works especially well if you are already exploring nearby squares, stairways, and studio addresses.
Why is it called the Bateau-Lavoir?
The name refers to the old wash boats once used on the Seine. People saw a resemblance in the building’s modest, cramped character. The nickname stayed. It helps explain the spirit of the place: practical, crowded, and shaped by working studio life rather than comfort or display.
Which artists worked at the Bateau-Lavoir?
The site is widely associated with major artists connected to Montmartre, with Pablo Picasso most often mentioned. Other names are also linked to it depending on the source. For a visit, the key point is its role as a creative hub. It is better approached as a historic address than as a detailed biographical museum.
Can you visit inside the Bateau-Lavoir?
It is safest to treat the Bateau-Lavoir as an exterior visit unless current access is clearly confirmed when you go. The building, the square, and the surrounding streets already make the stop worthwhile. If you want a fuller indoor experience, combine it with a museum or a public-facing studio venue elsewhere in Montmartre.
How much time should you allow for a visit?
Allow a short stop, from a few minutes to around half an hour depending on your interest in Montmartre’s artistic history. It works best as part of a walking route rather than a standalone destination. The experience becomes richer when paired with nearby studio addresses, viewpoints, and quieter residential lanes.
When is the best time to see the Bateau-Lavoir?
Morning and late afternoon are usually the best times, when the square feels calmer and easier to take in. In busier months, avoid the middle of the day if you prefer fewer people. On clear days, the wider Montmartre walk is more rewarding. In colder seasons, add a nearby indoor stop to balance the route.