Sacré-Cœur / Basilica of the Sacred Heart @ Paris, France

Sacré-Cœur, Paris also known as Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris. Located at Montmartre, the highest point in the city. This is one of the popular tourist attraction in Paris and for me this place offers great view of Paris as it is located on top of the hill. You may climb up to Sacre Coeur by stairs or by Montmartre funicular. If you brought a day ticket for metro, you can take unlimited ride on the funicular. If you climb the stairs, please be cautious. There are many African men who will try to tie strings on your finger. Not only will they demand an obscene fee for the cheap trinkets, usually over 15 euros, they will also try to pickpocket you or threaten you with force if you do not give them money. They are usually only at the base of the monument and can be avoided by taking the Funicular of Montmartre. Otherwise, you can quickly walk past them and ignore them, though they will willingly grab peoples arms. Do make sure that they won't be able to tie your finger or you may 10-20 Euros poorer!


Beware of those African below the hill of Montmartre.

The Sacré-Coeur Basilica is built of Château-Landon (Seine-et-Marne) stone, a frost-resistant travertine that bleaches with age to a gleaming white. The main portal has grand bronze doors with foliage designs.

Inside, the Sacré-Coeur is dim and rather gloomy except for the golden mosaics glowing from apse. The floor plan is an equal-armed Greek cross, with a large dome (83m high) over the crossing. In the huge choir, 11 tall round arches support a barrel vault.

The basilica complex includes a garden for meditation, with a fountain. The top of the dome is open to tourists and affords a spectacular panoramic view of the city of Paris, which is mostly to the south of the basilica.



Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris from below the hill.


View of Paris from top of hill.

Cloudy day and the green figure of Joan of Arc.

Admission: Free
Address: Pl. du Parvis-du-Sacré-Coeur, 18e, Paris, France
Metro station: Métro Anvers (2) or Abbesses (12), then climb the stairs on Rue Foyatier or take the funicular to the top of the hill.
GPS/Coordinates: 48.886857° N, 2.342963° E