It is mostly known for hosting the large hill of Montmartre, which is known for its artistic history, the Bateau-Lavoir where Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, and Amedeo Modigliani lived and worked in the early 20th century,[2] the house of music diva Dalida, the Moulin Rouge cabaret, other historic features, and the prominent Sacré Cœur basilica which sits atop the hill.

The 18th arrondissement also contains Goutte d'Or district, which has large numbers of residents of North and sub-Saharan African origins, and which is famous for its market, the marché Barbès, which sells products from Africa.

Today, the arrondissement remains very dense in population and business activity with 200,631 inhabitants as of the most recent census (2009).

In 2012, John Henley of The Guardian said the 18th arrondissement was "an area comparable in many ways to London's Tower Hamlets.

"[3] 2 An immigrant is a person born in a foreign country not having French citizenship at birth.