Overtourism, which is putting pressure on European cities, comes to Montmartre

PARIS (AP) — When Olivier Baroine moved into an apartment in Montmartre about 15 years ago, he felt like he was living in a village in the heart of Paris. There’s no more.

The store for residents is disappearing with a friendly atmosphere, he says. Instead, there are horde of people taking selfies, shops selling trinkets for tourists, and cafes that run out onto narrow cobblestone streets with their seats Overtourism Make that sacrifice.

The burroin was enough. He put his apartment for sale after local streets were designated pedestrians only as they responded to the growing number of visitors.

“When I have to call a taxi from morning to night because I’m disabled, that gets even more complicated, so I told myself I had no other options,” he told The Associated Press.

Overtourism in European cities

From Venice Barcelona For Amsterdam, European cities are struggling to absorb the surge in numbers of tourists.

Some tourist residents in one of Paris’s most popular areas are now being pushed back. A black banner strung between two balconies in Montmartre is “Behind the postcard: locals abused by the mayor” in English. Another says in French, “the inhabitants of Montmartre are resisting.”

At the top of a hill where Sacretzel Cathedral is crowned the city’s skyline, residents lament what once called “Disney” in Paris’ Bohemian Slices. The cathedral says it now attracts up to 11 million people a year. Eiffel Tower – Everyday life in the neighborhood is overtaken by Tuk-Tuks, tour groups, photo lines and short-term rentals.

“There’s absolutely no better store now. There’s no better grocery store, so we have to deliver everything,” said Baroine, 56, who is a member of a resident protest group called Vivre a Monmartre.

The anxiety reflects the tensions throughout the town of the Louvre, which was performed by staff in June Short Wildcat Strike It goes beyond chronic overcrowding, shortages of personnel and worsening conditions. The Louvre recorded 8.7 million visitors in 2024. This is more than twice what that infrastructure was designed to handle.

Postcard under pressure

Paris, a city with over 2 million residents counting its vast suburbs, welcomed 48.7 million tourists in 2024, up 2% from the previous year.

In 2024, France’s most visited monument, Sacreturge, and the surrounding Montmartre district, have been transformed into what locals call an outdoor theme park.

Local staples such as butchers, bakers and grocery stores have disappeared and have been replaced by ice cream stalls, bubble tea vendors and souvenir t-shirt stands.

Paris authorities did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Visitors appeared to be enjoying the sunny street this Tuesday.

“For the most part, everything in Paris was pretty busy, but certainly full of life,” said American tourist Adam Davidson. “From Washington, a vibrant city, I think this is definitely a life-filled to another degree.”

European limits

In Barcelona, thousands of people have taken to the streets this year, but there have been several acts. Water pistol, Strict restrictions on cruise ships and short-term tourist rentals. Venice now accuses Day Tripper Admission Fee Cap Visitor Number. And in Athens, the authorities impose daily Limit visitors to the Acropolis; To protect the ancient monument from record-breaking tourist crowds.

Urban planners warn that historic areas risk what some critics call “zombie cities.”

Paris is trying to mitigate the issue by cracking down on short-term rentals and unlicensed properties.

However, tourism pressure is rising. According to UN estimates, by 2050, the world’s population is projected to reach nearly 10 billion. Even more visitors are expected in iconic cities like Paris as the middle class of the world expands, low-cost flights boom, and digital platforms will guide travelers to the same viral landmark.

The current question is whether there is still space for those who call it home, according to residents.