A tourist takes a picture of the Sacre Coeur basically in the Montmartre district in Paris, France, Monday, Aug 4, 2025. Associated Press
When Olivier Baroin moved to Montmartre 15 years ago, he believed he had found a peaceful village within Paris. Today, that calm is gone. The neighborhood is now crowded with tourists, souvenir shops, tuk-tuks, and long queues for photos.
What was once a bohemian corner of Paris has become a postcard-perfect but chaotic attraction. Locals say overtourism is pushing them out of their own community.
Montmartre Residents Fight Back
Shops catering to residents are disappearing. Butchers, grocers, and bakeries are giving way to bubble-tea stalls and souvenir sellers. Cafés spill onto narrow cobbled streets, leaving little room for residents to move around.
Baroin, a member of the protest group Vivre à Montmartre (Living in Montmartre), has decided to sell his apartment. As someone with a disability, he says life became unbearable after authorities made several streets pedestrian-only. “You can no longer drive or park. Calling taxis all the time is impossible,” he explains.
Residents are protesting with banners that read, “Behind the postcard: locals mistreated by the Mayor” and “Montmartre residents resisting.”
Sacré-Cœur Under Pressure
The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, one of France’s most visited monuments, now attracts up to 11 million visitors annually—more than the Eiffel Tower. This influx has transformed Montmartre into what many describe as an “open-air theme park.”
Queues for selfies, noisy tour groups, and short-term rentals dominate the streets. Locals feel their once-lively neighborhood is turning into a commercial stage set.
Louvre and Beyond: Paris Strains Under Tourist Crowds
The problem isn’t limited to Montmartre. At the Louvre Museum, staff recently staged a strike over chronic overcrowding and understaffing. The museum received 8.7 million visitors in 2024, far more than it was built to handle.
Paris as a whole is groaning under record tourism. In 2024, the city welcomed nearly 48.7 million visitors, a 2% rise from the previous year. With only about 2 million residents, Paris faces a huge imbalance between locals and visitors.
Tourists troll in Montmartre district in Paris, France, Monday, Aug 4, 2025.
A Europe-Wide Overtourism Crisis
Other European cities are experiencing the same pressure.
- Barcelona: Thousands have protested against cruise ships and short-term rentals. Some even used water pistols to drive tourists away.
- Venice: Authorities have introduced an entry fee for day-trippers and placed strict visitor caps.
- Athens: Daily limits now control access to the Acropolis, which has seen record-breaking crowds.
Urban planners warn that historic neighborhoods risk turning into “zombie cities”—beautiful but lifeless, with locals forced out by visitors.
Paris Looks for Solutions
Authorities are attempting to control the issue by cracking down on illegal rentals and unlicensed properties. However, with global travel increasing, many fear these measures may not be enough.
The United Nations projects the world’s population will reach nearly 10 billion by 2050. With cheaper flights and viral travel trends, iconic cities like Paris are likely to face even heavier tourist flows.
Tourists Still Love the Buzz
Despite local frustrations, many visitors say Paris feels vibrant and exciting. “It’s busy but full of life,” said Adam Davidson, a tourist from Washington, D.C. “Paris has a different energy compared to anywhere else.”
The Big Question
As overtourism transforms Montmartre and other iconic European neighborhoods, one pressing question remains: Is there still room for locals in the world’s most visited cities?
