Paris saw a record 48.7 million tourists in 2024, up 2% from the prior year. That average quarterly increase has exacerbated existing overtourism problems. In tourism-rich neighborhoods, such as the iconic Montmartre district, the area’s successful local residents are becoming increasingly vocal about their crowdfunded malcontent. The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, now the most visited monument in France, draws up to 11 million visitors annually, surpassing even the Eiffel Tower.
Montmartre used to be a beautiful village known for its bohemian artistic spirit. Today, many residents consider it an outdoor amusement park. Streets filled with tuk-tuks, tour groups, and long queues for photographs have overshadowed the area’s cultural essence. Residents are pushing back against this transformation, expressing their discontent through banners that read “Behind the postcard: locals mistreated by the Mayor” and “Montmartre residents resisting.”
Olivier Baroin, a member of a local residents’ protest group, voiced concerns about the neighborhood’s changing landscape.
“Now, there are no more shops at all, there are no more food shops, so everything must be delivered.” – Olivier Baroin
The scene in Paris is reflective of what’s happening in other European cities contending with unprecedented waves of tourists. For example, Venice has started charging day-trippers for entry and limited the number of people allowed into its main tourist sites as measures to protect its cultural heritage. Athens has introduced a daily limit on visitors to the Acropolis. This counterintuitive measure is designed to protect the irreplaceable sandstone ancient monument from being swamped by mass tourism.
Barcelona has seen tens of thousands of city residents take to the streets in anger at out-of-control tourism. Demonstrators have called for limits on cruise ships and short-term rentals, with some even taking to the streets armed with water pistols to make their point. This growing trend of local resistance highlights a broader concern across Europe regarding the sustainability of tourism in major cities.
Local observer Adam Davidson recently described the overall feeling on the ground in Paris as moral euphoria, even as tourism has started to boom.
“For the most part, all of Paris has been pretty busy, but full of life, for sure.” – Adam Davidson
Meanwhile, European cities from Barcelona to Venice have been struggling with the influx of tourists. In reply, Paris has announced measures aimed at countering the damage caused by overtourism. The city has recently been ramping up enforcement efforts around short-term rentals and other unlicensed properties. This action is intended to protect neighborhoods and promote local community character.
Montmartre’s population is emblematic of a growing trend that has impacted numerous popular European destinations as the global middle class blooms. Greater access to low-cost flights and booming digital travel platforms have driven millions of new visitors to world-famous landmarks. According to the United Nations, the world’s population will increase by 2 billion people—nearly 10 billion total—by 2050. This growth will exacerbate the strain on already over-visited hotspots.
With a population of just over 2 million residents in Paris, including its sprawling suburbs, the city must find a balance between welcoming tourists and maintaining the quality of life for its residents. Overtourism is sweeping across Europe like wildfire, and Paris is on the frontline of this battle. What strategies will the city implement to mitigate damage to its vibrant cultural heritage while accommodating the growing number of visitors?
