Sacré-Cœur Basilica
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre, known as Sacré-Cœur, is a Catholic minor basilica at the summit of the Butte Montmartre in Paris, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Designed by architect Paul Abadie in a Romano-Byzantine style, construction began in 1875 and the building was completed in 1914, with formal consecration following in 1919 after World War I. It stands 200 metres above the Seine, offering a panorama over the entire city, and is the second most visited monument in Paris after the Eiffel Tower.
- Type
- Roman Catholic minor basilica
- Period
- 1875–1914; consecrated 1919
- Style
- Romano-Byzantine
- Location
- 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris, France
- Coordinates
- 48.8868° N, 2.3430° E
At a glance
- Type
- Roman Catholic minor basilica
- Period
- 1875–1914; consecrated 1919
- Style
- Romano-Byzantine
- Location
- Butte Montmartre, 18th arrondissement, Paris, France
Overview
Sacré-Cœur crowns the highest point in Paris and is visible from across the city. Since 1885 the basilica has maintained perpetual adoration of the Holy Eucharist without interruption, a devotional practice that continues to this day. The building was officially designated a national historic monument of France in December 2022.
History
The basilica was first proposed in 1870 by Bishop Felix Fournier in response to France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, conceived as an act of national penance and faith. Architect Paul Abadie’s design was chosen from 77 proposals submitted in an open competition. Construction began in 1875 but the project took four decades and five successive architects to complete, owing to the challenging geology of Montmartre and interruptions including the Commune and later the First World War. The building was completed in 1914 and consecrated in 1919.
What you see
The exterior is clad in travertine limestone quarried at Souppes-sur-Loing, which releases calcite when it rains and keeps the stone exceptionally white over time. The composition is dominated by a large central dome 83 metres high, flanked by four smaller cupolas. The interior showcases Byzantine mosaics, the largest of which — “The Triumph of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” on the apse vault — covers 475 square metres and is one of the largest mosaics in the world. Visitors may climb to the dome for views across Paris.
Cultural significance
Sacré-Cœur remains a site of active Catholic pilgrimage and devotion as well as a major tourist landmark. Its construction on Montmartre — a neighbourhood associated with the 1871 Paris Commune — has made it a historically contested monument among French secular and left-wing traditions, though its role as a symbol of Paris is now widely acknowledged across the political spectrum.
Practical information
Address: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris. The basilica is open daily. Entry to the nave is free; there is a fee to climb the dome and visit the crypt. The surrounding Parvis du Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre steps are open at all times. Check the official website for current hours.
Getting there
Metro: Line 12 to Abbesses, then the funicular from Square Louise Michel (runs daily, included in standard Metro tickets) or the stepped streets on foot. Metro Line 2 to Anvers is also close. Bus Montmartrobus runs from Pigalle through the Montmartre hill. The area is not easily accessible by car due to narrow streets.