SACRE-CŒUR

Description

Essentials about Sacré-Cœur in brief

The Basilica minor Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre (“Small Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Montmartre”) is one of the landmarks of Paris. Due to its location on a 130-meter-high hill in the popular district of Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur is, together with the Eiffel Tower, the most visible landmark of the French capital. In good weather conditions, the basilica can be seen up to 40 kilometers away. In addition, Sacré-Cœur is a very striking church building. Because unlike almost all other churches, the Roman Catholic pilgrimage church built in neo-Byzantine style shines in a brilliant white. The reason for this is that the church is built of Château-Landon stone, a frost-resistant travertine that gives off its calcite through weathering and thus takes on a chalk-like whiteness over time.

The way to Sacré-Cœur

Sacré-Cœur can be reached in two ways. Athletic visitors take the 237 steps up to the basilica. Those who want to take it a little easier take the Funiculaire de Montmartre funicular. Once at the foot of the church, most visitors are taken in by the dimensions of the structure.

The history and architecture of Sacré-Cœur

Sacré-Cœur measures 85 by 35 meters and has a height of 83 meters. The large dome alone is 55 meters high. Strictly speaking, architecturally the church is not a basilica at all, but a cross-domed church. It is one of the youngest church buildings in Paris. The foundation stone was laid in 1875, but Sacré-Cœur was not consecrated until 1919. The church is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Since 1885, when the church was still under construction, there has been a monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament above the high altar.

The interior of Sacré-Cœur

Sacré-Cœur is not only eye-catching from the outside, but the interior of the church is also worth a visit. Visitors can expect to see the largest mosaic of France, which decorates the ceiling on an area of 480 square meters. The mosaic shows Jesus with a wreath of thorns around his heart and arms spread wide.

The view from Sacré-Cœur

If you want to enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Paris, you should conquer the 300 steps of the narrow, stone spiral staircases. The 360-degree view from the top compensates for the effort. You have a magnificent view of the Parisian sea of houses at your feet, the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Hôtel des Invalides and many other Parisian sights.