SACRÉ-COEUR
One of the city’s most photographed sights, the spectacular white basilica 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). It took 46 years to build and was finally completed in 1923 at a cost of 40 million francs (7 million dollars). Priests still pray for the souls of the dead here 24 hours a day, as they have since 1885. People flock here for the breathtaking panoramic views—at sunset, in particular, there are few sights in Paris more memorable.
NEED TO KNOW
Parvis de la Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, 75018 • 01 53 41 89 00 • www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com
Basilica: 6am–10:30pm daily, last entry 10:15pm
Dome: May–Sep: 8:30am–8pm; Oct–Apr: 9am–5pm; adm $9
- Avoid the lunch crowds by heading to 23 Rue des Abbesses and grab a bite at Le St-Jean.
- An evocative sung Mass takes place on Sundays at 11am.
1. Great Mosaic of Christ
A glittering Byzantine mosaic of Christ, created by Luc Olivier Merson between 1912 and 1922, decorates the vault over the chancel. It represents France’s devotion to the Sacred Heart.
2. Crypt Vaults
The arched vaults of the crypt house a chapel that contains the heart of Alexandre Legentil, one of the advocates of Sacré-Coeur.
Crypt Vaults
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 from here can stretch as far as 30 miles (48 km) 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 bronze equestrian statues.
6. Stained-Glass Gallery
One level of the great dome is encircled by stained-glass windows. From here there is a beautiful view over the whole interior.
Stained-Glass Gallery
7. Bell Tower
The campanile, designed by Lucien Magne and added in 1904, is 262 ft (80 m) high. One of the heaviest bells in the world, the 21-ton La Savoyarde hangs in the belfry. Cast in Annecy in 1895, it was donated by the dioceses of Savoy.
8. 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 so keeps the façade bleached white.
Façade
9. Equestrian Statues
Two striking bronze statues of French saints stand on the portico above the main entrance, cast in 1927 by Hippolyte Lefèbvre. One is of Joan of Arc, the other is of Louis IX, later canonized as St. Louis.
10. The Funicular
To avoid the steep climb up to Sacré-Coeur, take the funiculaire cable railroad and enjoy the views at leisure. It runs from the end of rue Foyatier, near Square Willette.
The Funicular
THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR
In 1870, as Prussia made moves to take over the rest of Germany, France was also threatened by its military power. Two Catholic businessmen in Paris made a vow to build a church dedicated to the Sacred Heart if France were spared the Prussian onslaught. France declared war on Prussia in July, but the country was ill-prepared and in September Napoleon III was captured. Parisians held fast—defending their city with home-made weapons and eating dogs, cats, and rats. But by January 1871 they surrendered.
