milkmaid46

We want to visit Sacre Coeur and also want to avoid the steps by using the (apparently unreliable) funicular. Is there a site where we can check whether or not the funicular is in service? That way we could make alternative plans. It appears that there is a small area bus that allows avoidance of the stairs themselves.

Husband's first trip; my second; I speak the language; we are staying on Isle St. Louis and using the Metro, Batobus, etc. extensively. It is actually an 8 day "museum" tour limited to 4 churches (at his request)... Notre Dame, St. Chappelle, St. Nicolas des Champs (ancestor's church in 1600s) & Sacre Coeur.

Merci bien,
PS: we leave on 4/15

adrienne

Who says the funicular is unreliable? It's always worked when I've been there. Does someone in your group have mobility issues? The steps are not that bad and there are landings where you can rest.

Here's the bus information. I've never seen a bus on Montmartre but used google to get the information for you.

http://www.ratp.fr/informer/pdf/orie...rtrobus&fm=gif

theflock

The funicular has always been operating when I've been in Montmartre. If you don't want to risk it, don't exit the Metro at the Abbesses stop, but get off at Lamark Caulaincourt so that you're walking down hill toward Sacre Coeur and not up hill.

kerouac

I have never known the funicular to be unreliable. A couple of years ago, one of the cabins had to be repaired for about six months, but the other one kept operating during that period.

cw

I'm pretty sure it wasn't working when we were there a few years ago. The steps weren't that bad but we have no mobility problems. One hint: look for the elevator if you get off at the Abbesses stop. Those stairs seemed much worse than the ones going to Sacre Coeur.

lrock5

We just used it a few weeks ago. It was working as normal.

giro

We were just there a couple of days ago. no problem with funicular. (If you have a navigo card it can be used there too otherwise, an ordinary metro ticket.)
Take the metro to Anvers to access the funcular. We left via the Abssesses station with is downhill from the square.
Abssesses is deep and they have an elevator down to hades... If you have to transfer at Barbes Rochechouart the station is elevated and there is an escalator to take you to the top platform so you can avoid the stairs there too.
Happy travels.

PalenQ

Moi aussi - funicular has always been working when I was there - use a regular metro or carnet ticket I believe.