The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris

Sacré-Cœur Basilica

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica is a roman catholic church and a minor basilica built in 1914 and dedicated to the sacred heart of Jesus. The basilica was consecrated after the end of World War I in 1919, It is one of the most iconic monuments in Paris situated at the top of the Butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city, offering spectator panoramic views of Paris.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris is located at the highest point in the city on the hill of Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement. The Basilica is constructed in the Romano-Byzantine architectural style, characterized by its distinctive white-domed structure.

The Basilica’s beautiful white colour hasn’t changed despite the weather and pollution due to the travertine stone, which has an exceptional quality to preserve its colour.

The Cathedral was built to honour those who lost their lives during the French Revolution and the Franco-Prussian War and to inspire faith in the French people who lived and struggled during the hard times.

The underground crypt entrance is marked by two bronze doors on the west front. Inside the crypt are large arches, designed in an austere style.  various chapels and statues can be found inside the crypt: the columns of this chapel support the apse of the basilica; the chapels is that of Saint Peter, Saint Theresa prayed in the crypt in 1887.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a Roman Catholic church and serves as a place of worship, with regular religious services and ceremonies taking place there.

Climbing to the top of the Dome gives you a perfect 360° view of Paris and the surrounding landmarks, you will be around 400 meters in height. The tower has one of the largest bells in France, weighing 19 tons, called  La Savoyarde.

On the Hillside park near the Basilica, you will find the perfect place to have a picnic and a beautiful view of the Sacré-Cœur.

Sacré-Cœur Basilica - Interior
Sacré-Cœur Basilica – Interior

Sacré-Cœur, Paris Contact Information

Telephone: +33 1 53 41 89 00 | Official Website | Virtual Panoramic view of the Basilica

Looking for Walk Tours in Paris, France? There are entire books with self-guided walking tours.

Here are some of our favourites.

How To Get There

To reach the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, also known as the “Basilique du Sacré-Cœur,” various transportation options are at your disposal, contingent upon your starting point in Paris. Here are several common ways to access the basilica:

By Metro:

  • Metro Line 12 has two convenient stops: Lamarck – Caulaincourt and Abbesses. Both stations require an approximately 8-minute walk to reach the Basilica.
  • Metro Line 4 stops at Château Rouge, and it takes roughly 9 minutes on foot from this station to the Basilica.
  • Metro Line 2 offers access at Anvers and Pigalle stations, providing additional transit choices.

By Bus:

  • Montmartre and the basilica are accessible via multiple bus lines, such as Bus numbers 30, 54, 80, and 85, to name a few. These bus routes have stops in close proximity to Montmartre.
  • You can access specific bus routes and timetables by consulting the Paris public transportation website or utilizing a transportation app.

By Funicular:

  • To simplify your ascent from the base of the church grounds to the Basilica’s entrance, consider taking the Funiculaire de Montmartre cable cars.

By Taxi or Ride-Share:

  • Taxis and popular ride-sharing services like Uber are widely accessible in Paris. To request a ride, you can easily input the basilica’s address into your preferred app.

By Guided Tour:

  • Exploring Montmartre and the basilica becomes even more insightful when you participate in a guided tour. These tours often offer transportation and are led by knowledgeable guides who can enrich your experience with historical and cultural insights.

By Tourist Bus:

  • Numerous tourist bus companies extend hop-on-hop-off services within Paris, some of which include stops at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. These buses provide a convenient means of transportation for visitors exploring the city.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris

Opening Hours

Monday6:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Tuesday6:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Wednesday6:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Thursday6:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Friday6:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Saturday6:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Sunday6:00 AM – 10:30 PM

Must be registered for night adorations, to access the church after 11:00 PM. The Bell Tower is not open to visitors. Reservation is not needed for group visits.

In order to maintain silence for prayer, there are no guided tours of the interior of the Basilica. A guidebook is available in several languages at the Basilica bookshop.

Collections

PeintureHistoire
SculptureArchitecture

Information

  • Affiliation: Roman Catholic.
  • Province: Archdiocese of Paris.
  • Year consecrated: 1919.
  • Architects: Paul Abadie, Lucien Magne, Honoré Daumet, Charles Laisné, Henri-Pierre-Marie Rauline, Jean-Louis Hulot.
  • Architectural styles: Ancient Roman architecture, Byzantine architecture.
  • Groundbreaking in 1875.
  • Completed in 1914.
  • Length: 85 metres (279 ft).
  • Width: 35 metres (115 ft).
  • Height (max): 83 metres (272 ft).
  • Materials: Travertine stone.

Things to do Nearby

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris is near the Dalí Paris, and holds a Permanent exhibition of Salvador Dali’s Surrealist art, with a focus on sculptures and engravings, four minutes walk from the Basilica. Halle Saint-Pierre is an Art Museum for contemporary & experimental paintings & graphic art, plus avant-garde concerts, five minutes walk from the Basilica.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris inside
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris inside

WHERE TO STAY IN PARIS

Nearby places to stay as cheap as possible budget under £100:

  • Oops! Latin Quarter by Hiphophostels: Oops Boutique Hostel offers hostel accommodation in the 13th district in Paris, a 5-minute walk from Place d’Italie and its’ shopping centre. Check Price
  • Villa Toscane: is located in the 15th district of Paris. The hotel’s restaurant serves traditional dishes and fish specialities for dinner. Volontaires Metro Station (Line 12) is just 100 yards away and gives you direct access to Montmartre and the Champs Elysées. Check Price
  • Hotel de L’Union: in the 20th district of Paris. All of the rooms feature parquet floors, a minibar and free WiFi access. Maraîchers Metro Station is just a few steps away from the property and will take you directly to Opera Garnier and Avenue des Champs Elysées via line 9. Check Price

Nearby places to stay at a budget price over £200+:

  • Saint James Paris: Located a 20-minute walk from the Champs Elysées, the Saint-James Paris is situated in an elegant 19th-century building set in its own private garden. Spa facilities in partnership with Guerlain are available on-site. Maraîchers Metro Station is just a few steps away from the property and will take you directly to Opera Garnier and Avenue des Champs Elysées via line 9.  Check Price
  • Shangri-La Hotel: A former residence of Prince Roland Bonaparte and listed in the French “Monuments Historiques”, Shangri-La Hotel, Paris is a hotel palace located across the Seine and facing the Eiffel Tower. Some rooms and suites at Shangri-La Hotel, Paris offer stunning and unique views of the Eiffel Tower. Three restaurants, overseen by the Michelin-starred Chef Christophe Moret, offer both French and Asian cuisine including the 2 Michelin stars French Restaurant “L’Abeille” and France-only Chinese Michelin-star restaurant “Le Shang Palace”. Check Price
  • The Westin Paris Vendôme:  situated in central Paris, overlooks the Jardin des Tuileries and the Eiffel Tower. It has a fitness centre and a Spa with massage treatments. The elegant air-conditioned rooms have a modern décor and city or garden views. The restaurant offers gourmet cuisine and continental breakfast served in the chic dining area or in the stylish courtyard. Check Price

Location

Address: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris, France | Coordinates: 48°53′12.1″N 2°20′34.8″E

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Sacré-Cœur Basilica
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris