Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the stunning Sacre Coeur basilica crowns Montmatre, the highest point in Paris. Built from 1875 onwards, the church was constructed as an act of penitence after France was defeated in the Franco-Prussian war. Having plunged into a period of internal dissent, it was believed that the answer to the French peoples' unrest was a 'spiritual renewal'. Sacre Coeur is lasting embodiment of this sentiment.
Constructed in the Romanesque-Byzantine style, the gleaming white domes of Sacre Coeur are a result of the architect's choice of buildng material, in this case 'travertine' - a type of rock rich in calcite that bleaches with age. The finished church was consecrated in 1919, having been funded by public donations from across France. Sacre Coeur is open every day from 10.00-17.00 and 10.00-18.00 from April - September.
Transport to Sacre Coeur Basilica
