Paris Top 10 : Sacré-Coeur

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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.

  • Parvis du Sacré-Coeur, 75018

  • 01 53 41 89 00


  • www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com

  • Open 6am–11pm, last entry 10:15pm (basilica), 9:30am–5:30pm (dome and crypt) daily

  • Admission €5.00 (dome and crypt only)

  • No disabled access


The Franco-Prussian War

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.




Sacré-Coeur dome

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.


An evocative sung Mass takes place on Sundays at 11am.

Top 10 Features

  1. 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.




  2. 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.




  3. 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.




  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.




  7. 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.




  8. 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.

  9. 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.




  10. 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.