Sacré-Coeur

Sacré-Coeur Review

It's hard to not feel as though you're climbing up to heaven when you visit Sacré-Coeur, the white castle in the sky, perched atop Montmartre. The French government built Sacred Heart Basilica in 1873 to symbolize the return of self-confidence after the devastating years of the Commune and Franco-Prussian War. It was designed by architect Paul Abadie, using elements from Romanesque and Byzantine architectural styles—a mélange many critics dismissed as gaudy. Construction lasted until World War I, and the church was consecrated in 1919.

HIGHLIGHTS

Many people come to Sacré-Coeur to admire the superlative view from the top of the 271-foot-high dome, the second-highest point in Paris after the Eiffel Tower. If you opt to skip the climb up the spiral staircase, the view from the front steps is still well worth the trip.

Don't miss spending some time inside the basilica gazing at the massive golden mosaic set high above the choir. Created in 1922 by Luc-Olivier Merson, Christ in Majesty depicts Christ with a golden heart and outstretched arms, surrounded by various figures, including the Virgin Mary and Joan of Arc. It remains one of the largest mosaics of its kind. There are also the seemingly endless vaulted arches in the basilica's crypt, the portico's bronze doors—decorated with biblical scenes, including the Last Supper—and the stained-glass windows, which were installed in 1922, destroyed by a bombing during World War II (there were miraculously no deaths), and later rebuilt in 1946. In the basilica's 262 foot-high campanile hangs La Savoyarde, one of the world's heaviest bells, weighing about 19 tons.

Tips

The best time to visit Sacré-Coeur is early morning or early evening, and preferably not on a Sunday, when the crowds are thick. If you're coming to worship, there are daily masses. Photographers angling for the perfect shot of the church should aim for a clear blue-sky day or come at dusk, when the pink sky plays nicely with the lights of the basilica. To avoid the steps, take the funicular, which costs one métro ticket each way.