One of the most photographed images of the city, the
spectacular white outline of Sacré-Coeur (Sacred Heart) watches over
Paris from its highest point. The basilica was built as a memorial to
the 58,000 French soldiers killed during the Franco-Prussian War
(1870–71) and took 46 years to build, finally completed in 1923 at a
cost of 40 million francs (6 million euros). Priests still pray for the
souls of the dead here 24 hours a day. Although the interior is less
impressive than many other churches in the city, people flock here for
the panoramic views – at sunset, in particular, there are few sights in
Paris more memorable.
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Parvis du Sacré-Coeur, 75018
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01 53 41 89 00
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www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com
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Open 6am–11pm, last entry 10:15pm (basilica), 9:30am–5:30pm (dome and crypt) daily
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Admission €5.00 (dome and crypt only)
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No disabled access
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In 1870, as Prussia made
moves to take over Germany, France was also threatened by its military
power. Two Catholic businessmen in Paris vowed to build a church
dedicated to the Sacred Heart if France were spared the Prussian
onslaught. France declared war on Prussia in July, but she was
ill-prepared and in September Napoleon III was captured. Parisians held
fast, however, defending their city with homemade weapons and eating
dogs, cats and rats. But by January 1871 they surrendered.
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Sacré-Coeur dome
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Avoid the crowds and head to 23 rue des Abbesses and grab a bite at the St Jean or try Café Anosé at 123 rue Caulaincourt.
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An evocative sung Mass takes place on Sundays at 11am.
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Top 10 Features
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Great Mosaic of Christ
A
glittering Byzantine mosaic of Christ, created by Luc Olivier Merson
between 1912–22, decorates the vault over the chancel. It represents
France’s devotion to the Sacred Heart.
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Crypt Vaults
The
most interesting feature of the interior is the arched vaults of the
crypt. A chapel contains the heart of Alexandre Legentil, one of the
advocates of Sacré-Coeur.
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Bronze Doors
The
doors of the portico entrance are beautifully decorated with bronze
relief sculptures depicting the Last Supper and other scenes from the
life of Christ.
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The Dome
The
distinctive egg-shaped dome of the basilica is the second-highest
viewpoint in Paris after the Eiffel Tower. Reached via a spiral
staircase, vistas can stretch as far as 48 km (30 miles) on a clear day.
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Statue of Christ
The
basilica’s most important statue shows Christ giving a blessing. It is
symbolically placed in a niche over the main entrance, above the two
equestrian statues.
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Bell Tower
The beautiful campanile,
designed by Lucien Magne and added in 1904, is 80 m (262 ft) high. One
of the heaviest bells in the world, the 19-ton La Savoyarde hangs in the
belfry. Cast in Annecy in 1895, it was donated by the dioceses of
Savoy.
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Equestrian Statues
Two
striking bronze statues of French saints stand on the portico above the
main entrance, cast by H Lefèbvre. One is of Joan of Arc, the other of
Saint Louis.
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Stained-Glass Gallery
One level of the great dome is encircled by stained-glass windows. From here there is a grand view over the whole interior.
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Façade
Architect
Paul Abadie (1812–1884) employed a mix of domes, turrets and Classical
features in his design. The Château-Landon stone secretes calcite when
wet and bleaches the façade white.
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The Funicular
To avoid the steep climb up to Sacré-Coeur, take the funiculaire cable railway and enjoy the views at leisure. It runs from the end of rue Foyatier, near Square Willette.