Sacré-Cœur, Paris Church

Address: Basilique du Sacré‑Cœur, 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris, France

Website: https://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/

Hours: Basilica open daily (early morning to late evening) - exact hours vary; check before visiting

Admission: Basilica entry is free; access to the dome and crypt is paid (small fees apply) - check official site for current charges

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.

Sacré‑Cœur crowns the Montmartre hill in Paris. Take Metro Line 2 to Anvers or Line 12 to Abbesses; from Anvers you can walk up or take the Montmartre funicular from the base of the hill (the funicular connects directly to the basilica and is covered by a metro ticket). Expect a 8-15 minute walk uphill from the nearby metro stations. The basilica is in northern Paris (Montmartre) and a short drive from central Paris.

• Climb or take the funicular up early on a weekday to beat the large sunset crowds on the steps; the funicular is part of the Paris public transport network and is a quick way up from Anvers/Montmartre.
• Approach Sacré‑Cœur via quieter side streets (for example from Rue du Chevalier‑de‑la‑Barre) rather than the main stairway to avoid the densest groups and street vendors, and consider the dome climb for a panoramic view - the dome has a separate ticket and fewer visitors than the summit terraces.