Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre, known as Sacred Heart of Montmartre, is located at the top of the Butte Montmartre in the Clignancourt district of the 18th arrondissement of Paris (France). It is a prominent Parisian religious property owned by the archdiocese of Paris, known as the “sanctuary of Eucharistic adoration and divine mercy.”
The construction of this church, a monument that is both political and cultural, follows the post-war period of 1870.
It was declared a public utility in a law passed on July 24, 1873, by the National Assembly of 1871; the building was officially completed in 1923.
The desire to build this basilica was part of the context of sacral resurgence and its construction took place within the framework of the establishment of a “moral order” following the events of the Paris Commune, of which Montmartre was one of the high places.
Its location at an altitude of 130 m near one of the highest points in Paris – and its massive dome – make it visible from very far away.
With nearly eleven million pilgrims and visitors per year, it is the second most visited Parisian religious monument after Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral.
The basilica was designed by Paul Abadie, whose Neo-Byzantine-Romanesque plan was selected from among seventy-seven proposals.
The church is 85 meters long and 35 meters wide. It is composed of a large central rotunda, around which are placed a small nave, two transepts, and an advance-choir, which form a cross.
The porch of the church has three bays, and is modelled after the porch of Périgueux Cathedral.
The dominant feature is the immense elongated ovoid cupola that is 83.33 meters high, surrounded by four smaller cupolas.
At the north end is the campanile, or bell tower, 84 meters high, that contains the largest bell in France known as the “Savoyarde.”
Working days:
Thursday 6:30 AM–10:30 PM
Friday 6:30 AM–10:30 PM
Saturday 6:30 AM–10:30 PM
Sunday 6:30 AM–10:30 PM
Monday 6:30 AM–10:30 PM
Tuesday 6:30 AM–10:30 PM
Wednesday 6:30 AM–10:30 PM
Free admission.
Address: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris, France
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