Paris, France (Enmaeya News) — Montmartre has become overcrowded with tourists, and local stores are vanishing. Pedestrian-only streets, short-term rentals, and souvenir shops have made daily life difficult for longtime residents.

Olivier Baroin, who moved into Montmartre about 15 years ago, says the neighborhood has lost its village-like charm. Local shops and services for residents are disappearing, replaced by businesses catering to tourists. Daily life is dominated by visitors, tour groups, and short-term rentals.

Pedestrian-only streets, meant to accommodate tourists, have made navigating the neighborhood difficult, particularly for residents with disabilities. Baroin said he put his apartment up for sale because managing day-to-day life had become increasingly challenging.

Residents have begun pushing back. Groups have formed to protest what they call the “Disneyfication” of the neighborhood. Banners reading “Montmartre under threat” and “Residents resisting” have appeared across the area.

The church and surrounding streets draw millions of visitors each year, adding to the pressures. Local shops like bakeries, butchers, and grocers are vanishing, replaced by souvenir stalls, bubble-tea vendors, and ice cream stands.

Other European cities face similar challenges. Venice, Barcelona, and Athens have introduced measures such as visitor limits, entry fees, and restrictions on short-term rentals to protect historic neighborhoods and manage crowds.

Urban planners warn that rising tourism could turn iconic neighborhoods into “zombie cities”—picturesque for visitors but increasingly unlivable for residents. Montmartre illustrates the tension between preserving Paris as a home for locals and catering to millions of tourists who flock to its streets each year.