Updated on 23 October 2026
Perched at the corner of Rue de l’Abreuvoir and Rue des Saules, La Maison Rose Paris looks like it was plucked from a watercolor painting. With its soft pink walls, green shutters, and ivy-covered charm, this café is more than just a pretty face – it’s a historic icon of Montmartre with ties to some of the most legendary artists of the 20th century.
It’s no wonder that La Maison Rose is one of the most photographed spots in Paris, drawing romantics, photographers, influencers, and travelers from around the world.
The short version:
► Where: 2 Rue de l’Abreuvoir, on the quiet back side of Montmartre, about ten minutes’ walk from Sacré-Cœur.
► Photo: the pink façade is on the street corner, free to photograph.
► Best time: early morning, before the crowds.
► Eating there: book lunch or dinner on the restaurant’s website; the afternoon drinks slot is usually walk-in.
► Metro: Lamarck–Caulaincourt (line 12).
A Café with an Artistic Past
The story of La Maison Rose began in 1905, when Ramon Pichot, a Catalan painter and friend of both Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso, bought the small house in Montmartre. It became his painting studio, a quiet retreat where artist friends often visited.
In 1908, Pichot married Germaine Gargallo, a well-known Montmartre figure and a model for many of the painters around her. Germaine had the house painted pink and opened it as “La Maison Rose.” It quickly gained popularity among local artists, especially those connected to the Bateau-Lavoir, the famed Montmartre studio residence.
Germaine is also part of one of art history’s saddest stories. In 1901, Picasso’s close friend Carles Casagemas fell in love with her; when she turned him down, he took his own life. His death is widely seen as the starting point of Picasso’s Blue Period.
The house became famous through Maurice Utrillo’s painting “La Petite Maison Rose”. Utrillo was not the first to paint Montmartre’s corners, though: Élisée Maclet painted several of them years earlier and is believed to have helped Utrillo early on.
The café’s history during and after World War II is less documented. In 1948, Béatrice Miolano, originally from northern Italy, bought the small restaurant. Her granddaughter took it over in 2017 with a new team and a renewed vision: to serve eco-conscious, seasonal French-Italian cuisine while honoring the cultural and family legacy of the space.
What to Expect at La Maison Rose
- Charming ambiance: The café is as beautiful inside as it is outside, with rustic wooden beams, cozy tables, and locally inspired decor.
- Seasonal French cuisine: Expect simple, thoughtful dishes made from organic ingredients sourced from French farms.
- Perfect photo opportunities: The pastel facade, nearby cobbled lanes, and steps leading up to Montmartre make for iconic Parisian photos.
- Coffee & lunch: Lunch and dinner need a booking, but in the afternoon there is usually a short tea-and-drinks slot when you can just walk in for a coffee and something sweet.
Tip: La Maison Rose gets very busy in peak hours. For the best photos, visit early morning or golden hour.
The famous view is from the street, so a photo costs nothing. People are eating on the terrace just behind the frame, though, so keep it quick and don’t block the doorway.
Fun Facts & Film Moments
- Painted by Maurice Utrillo, one of Montmartre’s beloved painters
- Featured in several French and international photo shoots, travel documentaries, and short films set in Montmartre
- Appears in countless travel vlogs, reels, and influencer videos
- Right across Rue des Saules from Clos Montmartre, the city’s last working vineyard, and around the corner from the Musée de Montmartre
- Still family-run and locally sourced
How to Get There
Address: 2 Rue de l’Abreuvoir, 75018 Paris, France
Metro: Lamarck–Caulaincourt (Line 12) is the closest station, about a five-minute uphill walk. Abbesses (also Line 12) is a little further and one of the deepest stations in Paris, so expect a lot of stairs.
Opening hours: usually Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. In the afternoon there is usually a short tea-and-drinks slot when you don’t need a reservation. Times change now and then, so check the restaurant’s website before you go.
Reservations: for lunch or dinner, book on the restaurant’s own website, especially at weekends.
Nearby Attractions
Musée de Montmartre – Just steps away, offers a deep dive into the artists of the area
Sacré-Cœur – A short uphill walk for panoramic city views
Place du Tertre – Bustling square with plein air painters and portrait artists
Clos Montmartre – the last working vineyard in Paris, right across the street
The Sinking House of Montmartre – a playful photo illusion on the green slope below Sacré-Cœur, about ten minutes away
Want the stories behind these streets? A guided Montmartre walk usually passes La Maison Rose, the vineyard and Place du Tertre.
FAQ
For lunch and dinner, yes, especially at weekends. Book on the restaurant’s own website. The afternoon tea-and-drinks slot is usually walk-in.
Yes. The pink façade is on the public street corner of Rue de l’Abreuvoir and Rue des Saules.
Lamarck–Caulaincourt on Line 12, about five minutes’ walk uphill.
About a ten-minute walk. Place du Tertre and the Montmartre vineyard are on the way.
Germaine Pichot, a well-known Montmartre figure and the wife of painter Ramon Pichot, had it painted pink in the early 1900s and opened it as La Maison Rose.
La Maison Rose & the Paris For You App
Add La Maison Rose to your Paris For You itinerary:
- Discover walking routes through Montmartre
- Locate quiet photo spots nearby
- Get directions offline
- Find out when it’s least crowded
- Available in 26 languages
Whether you’re a photographer chasing golden light or a traveler craving a warm meal with artistic history, La Maison Rose Paris is the place to pause, sip, and soak in the magic of Montmartre.
Want to add the best photo stops to your Paris days? Explore our Paris TOP Insta Spots map inside the free Paris For You app.
