Sacré-Cœur
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The neo-Byzantine pilgrimage church Sacré-Cœur on the highest point of the Montmartre hill in Paris is among the architectural highlights of the city on the Seine. Inspired by the Hagia Sophia or the St Mark's Basilica, its construction began in 1875 and was completed in 1914. Since then, the Cross-cupola church with the dazzling white facade has been not only in name the heart of the artist's quarter around the Montmartre and attracts visitors from all over the world.
By Jessica Donev
By Jessica DonevSelect a date to find available tickets, tours & activities:
Tours
Compare the various tours through Montmartre and Paris, which include a visit to the famous pilgrimage church.
Montmartre & Sacré Coeur: 2.5-Hour Walking Tour
4.9
(173)
(173)Go to offer
Paris: Sacré-Coeur and Montmartre Tour with Expert Guide
4.3
(997)
(997)getyourguide.com
Go to offer
Montmartre District and Sacre Coeur - Exclusive Guided Walking Tour
5.0(205)
(205)viator.com
Go to offer
Impressionist Paris: d'Orsay & Montmartre Guided Walking Tour
5.0(86)
(86)viator.com
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6 tips for visiting the Sacré-Cœur
Sacré Coeur | Unsplash: Leonhard Niederwimmer
1
Visit the domeMany visitors do not know that you can climb the dome of the basilica. The climb up 292 narrow steps is rewarded with a spectacular 360-degree view of all of Paris.
The large Jesus mosaic | Unsplash: Sid Saxena
2
Come early in the morning or late in the eveningTo avoid the crowds, it's best to visit the basilica early in the morning or late in the evening. At these times, the atmosphere is calmer; this way, you can enjoy the view and architecture even better. The church opens as early as 6:30 AM, so you will encounter fewer tourists this early in the morning. By the way, it is open every day of the year, without exception! The basilica usually remains open until 10:30 PM, so it's wonderful for a visit in the evening as well. For more information on opening hours and tours, find our general information below.
3
Respect your fellow visitors and the BasilicaDress appropriately and only enter places that are open to the public. Behave quietly, avoid conversations, and show respect for the people who come to pray in the church.
4
Attend a MassEven as a tourist, you are welcome to attend a Mass. They are held at least 3 times a day. Feel free to check the official website for your options to participate in the Holy Mass. You can find the link to the official website in our general information at the end of this page.
5
No photos pleasePlease refrain from taking photos inside the Basilica. Professional photo and video recordings are allowed with prior arrangement.
6
Walk up the HillInstead of taking the cable car (Funiculaire), if possible for you, climb up the stairs. The ascent offers beautiful views and leads through charming, less crowded streets of Montmartre.
Our Ticket Offer in Detail
Our ticket offer is very extensive. Here you get an explanation of the different options we offer.
Woman with map | Unsplash: DAVID TAPIA SAN MARTIN
General information about tickets
Admission to the Basilica is free, however, there is much to discover that makes it worth booking a tour. Just the facade and the interior of the pilgrimage church have so many details that you can only really uncover when you book an audio guide or participate in a tour. Many offers not only include a visit to the Sacré-Cœur, but also a walk through Montmartre or are a combined offer with other attractions in Paris such as the Louvre Museum for instance. Some tours also include a ticket for the climb to the dome or access to the crypt.Sacré Coeur de Montmartre | Unsplash: Yvann Karamoko
Digital audio guide: Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre
Discover the splendor of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Montmartre with a digital audio guide from a renowned Parisian historian. Unveil the secrets and legends of this monument and learn all about its impressive architecture. Immerse yourself in exciting anecdotes and the epic history of its construction, giving your visit a unique dimension.Tour through Montmartre including a Sacré-Cœur visit
Explore the Sacré-Cœur Basilica and enjoy the artistic atmosphere of the picturesque village of Montmartre. Learn everything about the exterior and interior of the Basilica, including the world's largest mosaic, from your guide. After visiting the Basilica, discover the unique district of Montmartre with its fascinating stories and breathtaking views.Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur Tour for Families and Children
Meet Alberto or one of his amazing teammates at the Anvers metro station and take the funicular to Sacré-Cœur. Kids love this part of the tour, as the view of the magnificent church, the ride with the picturesque train, and Alberto's enthusiasm are contagious. After visiting the church, you explore Montmartre, once a hill full of windmills and vineyards, and discover the workshop where Picasso invented Cubism. You visit famous places like the grocery store from the famous film about Amelie Poulin, the 'I love you' wall, and the Place du Tertre, while your guide engages the children with exciting stories and activities.Private Walking Tour: Musée d'Orsay, Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur
Discover Montmartre on a private walking tour that takes you to the haunts of Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, and Van Gogh. Start at the foot of Montmartre and see the windmill that Renoir immortalized in ‘Bal du Moulin de la Galette'. Then, visit the Musée d'Orsay with skip-the-line access, where you explore art movements towards Impressionism and works by Manet, Renoir, and Van Gogh. Afterwards, the tour goes through Montmartre, past the Moulin Rouge, Van Gogh's house, the Dalida statue, the Jardin Sauvage de St-Vincent, the vineyard Le Clos Montmartre, and other historical sites, before ending at the Basilica Sacré-Cœur and Place du Tertre.Sacré Coeur from the Outside | Unsplash: Majd HASEEB
The Basilica Sacré-Cœur
On Montmartre hill, this fantastic pilgrimage church rises, which is more than just a monument. It is a unique place, where for over 140 years, prayers have been said day and night, welcoming people from all over the world.The large Jesus mosaic | Unsplash: Matthew Smith
The Highlights of the Basilica
At the top of the hill, at 83m (272ft), stands the Basilica Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre with its dazzling white façade made of Travertine. The exterior impresses with many statues, especially the statue of Jeanne d’Arc and that of Louis, the Saint or also called Saint Louis, the former King of France. The interior of the pilgrimage church is equally impressive. With the central and largest mosaic in France by Luc-Olivier Merson, showing Jesus with a crown of thorns around his heart, the stained glass windows, the many chapels, a beautiful golden Jesus sculpture, and many other artworks, there's much to see in the basilica. The church also houses a crypt with several chapels and an exhibition of religious artifacts.Sacré Coeur Inside | Unsplash: Saish Rane
The dome of the Basilica
The highlight of every visit to the Basilica is undoubtedly also the climb to the dome. For this, visitors must ascend 292 stairs; as a reward, one of the most beautiful views over Paris awaits. The stairs are steep and the ascent tiring, so take your time climbing. Along the way, you’re repeatedly shown how many stairs you still have ahead of you. Once at the top, you can see, for example, the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame de Paris, the Musée de l'Armée, and look far over the rooftops of Paris as well as over the towers of the Basilica itself.The belfry of the Basilica
The Basilica Sacré-Coeur in Paris, besides its dome, features an 80m (262.5ft) high bell tower that houses France's largest bell: the Savoyarde - it measures 3m (10ft) in height and has a circumference of 19m (62ft). This bell was cast in 1895 in Annecy, weighs 18.835 tonnes, and is among the largest and heaviest bells in the world. It is named after the Savoy region, which became French in 1860.The history of the Basilica
The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur was conceived after the Franco-German War of 1870-1871 as a symbol of national reconciliation and spiritual revival of France. Construction began in 1875 and was completed in 1914, with the consecration taking place only after the end of World War I in 1919. The church, designed by Paul Abadie in a neo-Byzantine style, sits on the highest point of the Montmartre hill in Paris and impresses with its dazzling white travertine facade, which remains radiant. The special properties of travertine are that it is a natural stone with very high durability and weather resistance. Today, Sacré-Cœur is not only a significant religious sanctuary but also a popular tourist destination that attracts millions of visitors annually.In summary - why should you definitely visit the basilica?!
The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur is simply a must-see when visiting Paris because of its impressive neo-Byzantine architecture with its dazzling white travertine facade. From the dome, you have a spectacular 360-degree view over the city, providing a unique perspective of Paris. Moreover, as a significant religious sanctuary, the basilica creates a peaceful and meditative atmosphere and is a cultural symbol in the charming Montmartre district, known for its artistic past.'La Maison Rose' in the streets of Montmartre | Unsplash: Bastien Nvs
A Trip to Montmartre
Join us in visiting the famous artists' district. Wander through the streets, discover hidden gems of the 18th Arrondissement, and climb the hill to see the Basilica of Sacré Cœur with your own eyes.View of Montmartre | Unsplash: Arnaud Mariat
A Brief Introduction to Montmartre
Over 2 millennia of history have amassed in the 18th Arrondissement in Paris. The Montmartre hill became a popular pilgrimage destination after the first bishop of Paris, St. Denis, suffered martyrdom at the foot of the hill. Montmartre was not always a part of Paris but a separate, small village. Only since 1860 has Montmartre been part of Paris. Montmartre still retains the charm of a small village, unlike other districts of Paris that have been swallowed by the city.During the 19th and 20th centuries, Montmartre became a melting pot for artists and artistes inspired by the Arrondissement. Notably, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, Emile Zola, Jacques Prévert, Jean Cocteau, Edith Piaf, and many other famous figures from the art scene lived here, to name just a few.
The way to the top | Unsplash: Andrea García
How to get to the top
When you get off as a visitor in Montmartre, you arrive at the foot of the hill by metro. From there, you can reach the top of the hill by bus, funicular, or on foot.Le Petit Train | Unsplash: Elisa Schmidt
Train departs! - 'Le Petit train de Montmartre'
Once you have arrived in Montmartre, there is a fun way to explore the neighborhood: the delightful little train Le Petit Train de Montmartre, which takes you to the major stops. The train starts at the bottom by Moulin Rouge at Place Blanche and takes you up to the top within 15 minutes with exciting commentary about the surroundings. The second train from Place du Tertre takes you back to the starting point at Moulin Rouge within 30 minutes while narrating fascinating stories.The sinking house of Montmartre | Unsplash: June Zhang
The Basilica of Sacré Cœur - the climb
At Square Louis Michel Square, there's a beautiful garden and the base of the stairs that take you up to the basilica. As you ascend, more and more of Paris becomes visible, until you're rewarded with a phenomenal view at the top. If you want to take the funicular railway up, you can do so with a subway ticket. Attention: You need a new subway ticket to transfer from the subway to the funicular railway. The history of the funicular railway in Montmartre dates back to 1900 AD, making it older than the Paris Metro. To the left of the railway are stairs on the Rue Foyatier, which are easier to climb because you reach your destination after only a few steps. While you're on the steps of Sacré-Cœur, you can create the sinking house of Montmartre by tilting your (smartphone) camera or your head.Sacré Coeur, side view | Unsplash: Laura Adai
The Basilica of Sacré Cœur
The basilica was built between 1875 and 1914 AD in a neo-Byzantine style. It is made of travertine, like the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, or the St. Peter's Basilica, a stone that is self-cleaning. Sacré-Cœur was erected as a symbol of hope and restitution after France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and offers a breathtaking 360-degree view over the City of Lights from its dome. You can visit the basilica itself for free. However, if you want to go up to the dome to admire the fantastic view, you have to buy a ticket.Saint Pierre | Flickr: S. Popowich CC-BY-SA 2.0
Take a break in the park and visit another church
Exploring a city on an empty stomach isn't as enjoyable. For Crepes, Galettes, and Sandwiches, head to Grenouilles. The terraced park Marcel-Bleustein-Blanchet or Square de la Turlure are beautiful spots to relax after the climb and offer unique views of the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur. The church Saint Pierre de Montmartre is often overlooked because of its famous neighbor. Its history dates back to the 12th century AD - visiting this church is also free. On its site, there was a Christian place of worship in the 5th century AD and before that, a temple of Mars.Cemetery | Unsplash: Maizhi Lang
An exclusive cemetery on the hill
The most exclusive, smallest, and oldest cemetery of Paris is located in the 18th district. The Cimetière de Calvaire was opened in the 17th century AD but was closed again during the French Revolution. Today, you can only visit it on November 1st (All Saints' Day), otherwise, the cemetery remains closed. It is only 600m² (6,458ft²) in size and houses 85 graves of historical personalities, including prominent families from the 18th and 19th centuries AD such as the Debray family or the Famille de Fitz-James. Currently, only descendants of those interred there can be buried, with the last burial occurring in 2010.Artist at Place de Tertre | Unsplash: Johan Mouchet
The tourist hotspot
At the most famous place of Montmartre, the Place du Tertre, artists sit outdoors to paint. Watch them for a while and feel the artistic atmosphere of the district. Moreover, there are many cafés here, which, however, seem a bit overcrowded and very touristy. Since so many people visit Montmartre, there's also the brasserie ’Le Consulat’. The prices there are high, and the food rather average - so I do not recommend eating here.Musée de Montmartre | Flickr: Shadowgate CC-BY-SA 2.0
What else can be discovered in the artists' district of Paris?
The water tower, known in French as the Châteu d’Eau (water castle), is a beautifully looking water tower. Nearby is the Montmartre Museum (Musée de Montmartre, formerly also Musée du Vieux Montmartre), which brings you closer to the history of the district. It is located in a group of buildings used by artists such as Pierre Auguste Renoir as a studio and residence. This group of buildings is located in Rue Cortot, was restored and became the Musée de Montmartre in 1960. For me, the museum is definitely worth a visit; the small garden also offers the opportunity for a relaxing coffee break.Vigne | Flickr: Shadowgate CC-BY-SA 2.0
French Wine and Cabaret
Vigne du Clos Montmartre is a vineyard that has existed since 1933, although wine has of course been cultivated in France for thousands of years. The vineyard is only open on selected days in October during the Fête de Vendages. However, the Montmartre Museum offers guided tours with wine tastings on Saturday afternoons throughout the year. A fun detail is that the door handle on the outside is a wine bottle and on the inside a corkscrew. In the immediate vicinity is the cabaret Au Lapin Agile (eng. Nimble Rabbit) from 1860. The famous building has inspired many artists, such as Picasso, who depicted the interior of the building in a painting from 1905.Place Dalida | Flickr: Carl Campbell CC-BY-SA 2.0
Beautiful views
Place Dalida is one of the most famous squares in Montmartre. It is one of only 12% of squares in Paris named after a woman. Here you can sit in the shade and enjoy the beautiful views. The square was named after the famous opera singer Dalida, whose bust stands in the middle of the square. Touching her breasts is said to bring good luck, which is why they shine in contrast to the rest of the bust in gold. I did it too, because I gladly accept a little extra luck on my travels! Not far away is the Place Suzanne Buisson, a hidden gem of Montmartre, where mostly locals sit on the benches and enjoy the day.Café de deux Moulins | Flickr: londonexpat CC-BY-SA 2.0
Looking for a bit of romance?
A tip for fans of the film 'Amélie': The Café de deux Moulins is just around the corner from the Moulin Rouge on Rue Lepic; further up on Rue de Trois-Frères you'll find the grocery store of the famous film. A bit higher up comes the highlight for hopeless romantics: The Mur des je t’aimes, the Wall of 'I Love Yous'. The wall was installed in the year 2000 and has the phrase 'I love you' written in 300 languages. Take a picture with your travel companion in front of it!Moulin Rouge | Unsplash: Abhay Thakur
The Red Windmill
In the evening, it's back to the foot of the Montmartre hill. The Moulin Rouge is probably the most famous cabaret in the world and has been showing the show Fréerie since 1999. Make sure to book weeks in advance so you're guaranteed to get a ticket. We treated ourselves to a visit to Montmartre to finish our day and can definitely recommend an evening at the Moulin Rouge.Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Basilica of the Sacré-Coeur accessible to people with disabilities?
Visiting the Basilica Sacré-Cœur is partly possible for people with reduced mobility. The side entrance at 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre has an elevator for wheelchairs, and the movement within the building is relatively barrier-free. However, some areas, such as the dome and the crypt, are not accessible due to the stairs involved. There is trained staff on-site who will be happy to assist you. Read more.
Is the dome accessible to people with disabilities?
No, there is no lift that takes you to the dome. Visitors must be able to climb the 292 narrow stairs. Read more.
Do weddings and baptisms take place in the basilica?
No, the basilica is not a parish church, which is why no weddings or baptisms are celebrated here. However, engaged and newly married couples typically like to participate in a communal adoration night (overnight stay in the guest house included), to entrust their love in the silence and peace of the night to the Blessed Sacrament of Jesus. Read more.
Is there a special program in the basilica for Christmas and Easter?
Yes! If you are interested, it's best to check the official website (link in the general information below) for information about Christmas Midnight Masses and Easter Masses. Read more.
Can I confess in the basilica?
Yes, confession is possible daily. Confession times and information are signposted on site or can be found on the website. Read more.
Are there souvenir shops or cafés nearby?
Yes, there are several souvenir shops and cafes in the immediate vicinity of the basilica, especially in the lively Montmartre district. Read more.
Are there parking options nearby?
There are only limited parking options in Montmartre; the area is often very crowded. Therefore, we recommend that you use public transport. Read more.
General information
opening hours
address
75018 Paris
France
website
tickets
There are, however, some combo deals and tickets that connect a visit to the basilica with a tour of the Montmartre district - check out our ticket options on this page!
how to get there
Written byJessica DonevJessica is the definition of Jack of all trades. When she wants to do something, she just does it. That's why Jessica is an event manager, professional dancer, trainer, content creator, speaker / presenter in training and much more. Having traveled the world a lot, she knows what's important when traveling and shares it with you here on TicketLens.
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