The five onion-domed white Romanesque-Byzantine Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Basilique du Sacré Cœur) stands upon the Montmartre Hill, the highest natural point in Paris. From the church's steps are great views of the city
Looking far older than its years, the Basilica, designed by Paul Abadie, was only constructed between 1876 and 1914.
The church was built in reponse to the belief that the siege of Paris in 1870-1871 by Prussian forces was divine punishment for the 'sins' of the anti-religious French republic. This led to its construction being the cause of much controversy, with some Parisians seeing it as both a condemnation of the French Revolution and an expression of monarchist sympathies.
The Basilica expresses nationalist themes, with its entrance surmounted by two large bronze equestrian statues of French national heroes, Joan of Arc and King Louis IX. The church's great bell (19 tons) is named the Savoyarde' in reference to the annexation of Savoy by French forces in 1860.
You can climb to the top of the the basilica's dome - the second highest point in Paris - for what many consider to be the best panoramic views of the city. The entrance price for the dome also entitles you to visit the Basilica's barren crypt.
Prices
Basilica: Free
Dome and crypt: 6.50 Euro
Opening Times
Basilica: Daily 6am-11pm
Dome and crypt: Daily ??? 9am-6pm
Address
Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre
35, Rue de Chevalier
75018 Paris
How to Get There
Métro:
Station - Abbesses on line 12
Station - Anvers on line 2
External Links
Offical Site for Basilique du Sacré-Coeur
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