Most people know the arrondissement for the pretty village of Montmartre and the billion-stair climb up to the Sacre Coeur. There is still a mayor of the free village of Montmartre, but his role is largely ceremonial. The town hall of the 18th is not, however, as it is the only one in the world containing a wine press used annually when the smallest vineyard in the world (1500 square meters on the Rue Poulbot) is harvested for charity.

Largely influenced by rising housing prices around the Sacre Coeur (Montmartre) the 18th is becoming gentrified at a rapid pace: everywhere artists studios and garrets are being converted with great success into spacious multi level apartments, and the nightlife, while never lacking, has responded accordingly.

Officially 184,000 people live in 6 square kilometers, but this does not take into consideration the 3rd taken up by the tracks, so the population density is on par with the 11th. Nonetheless, the 18th is attracting young couples, professionals and artists more and more as its back street delights are becoming increasingly exposed.