Métro to Anvers on line 2, then walk up Rue de Steinkerque to the funicular at the foot of the hill, or take the stairs. Abbesses on line 12 and Lamarck–Caulaincourt on line 12 both work if you want to approach through the back streets of Montmartre. The funicular takes a normal Métro ticket.
Sunrise, from the steps or Square Louise-Michel, when the city below is still quiet and the stone picks up warm light. The facade faces south, so it is lit most of the day; the west side catches the last of the sunset. Blue hour is the best time for the lit domes against the sky. Interiors are easiest mid-morning, before the tour groups fill the aisle. Visit off season for a quiet experience, but during July-August the throngs of tourists can add to the composition as they gather on the steps in front to watch the city as night falls.
A wide lens (16 to 24 mm on APS-C) for the facade from the steps and for the dome from inside. For the interior, shoot handheld on ambient light: around f/3.5, 1/125 to 1/180 s and ISO 1000 to 1600 works. For the view over the city, a longer lens (50 mm and up) pulls landmarks out of the skyline. A tabletop tripod is fine on the terraces for blue hour. Tripods feel out of place inside even if they are not explicitly prohibited. They may well be.
Inside, stay in the outer aisle. The central nave and altar are for worshippers and no photos are allowed there. Dress and behave as you would in any church; it is a working basilica. Outside, the steps and the square draw pickpockets and bracelet scammers, so keep your gear zipped and your attention up, especially at night.
Entry to the basilica is free. The dome climb is ticketed (about €8 for adults as of 2026) and is about 300 steps with no lift; hours vary by season, so check on the day. The staircase up to the basilica is the one from John Wick: Chapter 4, which earns it a second look from anyone who has seen the film.
