Sacré-Cœur, Paris

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, commonly known as Sacré-Cœur, is a white-domed Roman Catholic church located at the summit of Montmartre in northern Paris. Construction began in the late 19th century and the building is notable for its Romano-Byzantine architectural style and travertine exterior that stays bright with age.

Visitors commonly climb to the dome terrace for panoramic views over Paris; the interior features mosaics and chapels and remains an active place of worship. The basilica occupies a prominent hilltop site and is one of the highest points within Paris in terms of elevation.

The idea for the basilica was approved in the 1870s and building work proceeded from the 1870s into the early 20th century, with the complex completed before the First World War and consecrated after it. The monument was intended as both a religious site and a national penance following the Franco-Prussian War era.

Sacré-Cœur sits atop the Butte Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, within the Montmartre neighbourhood. It crowns a steep hill that is a well-known vantage point above the northern city centre.

• Entry and dome access: Entry to the basilica is free; there is a separate ticketed climb to the dome with uneven steps and narrow passages.
• Access options: Montmartre square and the funicular provide convenient approaches for those who prefer to avoid the steep streets leading up the hill.

What to See #

• Basilica interior and apse: The main basilica interior contains a vast nave, chapels and an apse decorated with mosaics, and regular liturgical services still take place there.
• Dome terrace (viewpoint): A dome viewpoint reached by climbing steps that offers panoramic views across Paris and particularly good vantage points at sunrise and sunset.