Sacré-Cœur: a Stunning Catholic Basilica at the Top of a Hill in Paris
Culture Travel may earn a commission through links on this website. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Perched atop the highest hilltop in Paris, the Sacré-Cœur is a Roman Catholic basilica and the second most visited monument in all of Paris. The Sacré-Cœur is easily recognizable by its white-gray façade, three large domes, and green equestrian statues depicting Joan of Arc and King Saint Louis IX. You will notice people lounging on the grass in front often as well.
The Sacré-Cœur is so high up, that it can be seen from most major monuments throughout the city of Paris!
History
The Sacré-Cœur Basilica (Basilica of the Sacred Heart) is one of Paris’s most iconic landmarks, perched atop Montmartre hill in the 18th arrondissement. Here’s its fascinating history:
Origins and Construction
The basilica was built as a response to France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) and the traumatic Paris Commune that followed. In 1873, the National Assembly declared the construction of the church as an act of penance and national reconciliation. Two Catholic laymen, Alexandre Legentil and Hubert Rohault de Fleury, had vowed to build a church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus if France was spared from Prussian occupation.
The site chosen was Montmartre, Paris’s highest point, which had been a center of the Commune uprising. Construction began in 1875 based on designs by architect Paul Abadie, who drew inspiration from Romano-Byzantine architecture, particularly the Cathedral of Saint-Front in Périgueux.
Building Challenges
The construction took 39 years, finally completing in 1914, though it wasn’t consecrated until after World War I ended in 1919. The project faced significant engineering challenges due to the unstable ground—builders had to sink 83 foundation pillars deep into the hillside to support the structure.
Architectural Features
The basilica is known for its distinctive white travertine stone, which comes from Château-Landon and naturally bleaches whiter over time when exposed to rain. The Romano-Byzantine style features a central dome 83 meters high, with four smaller domes surrounding it. Inside, the basilica houses one of the world’s largest mosaics, depicting Christ with outstretched arms.
Cultural Significance
Today, Sacré-Cœur remains a functioning church with perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament continuing day and night since 1885. It’s also one of Paris’s most visited monuments, drawing millions of tourists annually who come for both its religious significance and the spectacular panoramic views of Paris from its steps and dome.
How to Get There
It requires a fairly steep climb to reach, but if you have mobility issues, an inexpensive cable car can take you straight up the hill.
If you prefer to walk, be sure to stop and admire the view along the way. Instead of walking alongside the cable car, take the stairs to the west, which allow for short breaks on a few streets along the way.
Inside
Once you get to the church, you can go inside and admire the interior for free. You can also climb to the dome during the daytime hours and see a spectacular panoramic view of Paris!
Watch Out for Scammers
When visiting this iconic Parisian destination is to keep an eye out for scammers at the bottom (and along the way up) of the hill. People will try to sell you bracelets or scam you in some way, so just ignore them and be vigilant as you would in any other metropolitan city.
Other than that, the Sacré-Cœur is truly breathtaking to see with your own eyes, and its timeless architecture will surely awe you!
The Sacré Coeur is centrally located in the Montmartre neighborhood in the 18th arrondissement of Paris.
Enjoy the Sacré-Coeur!
