Site officiel : http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart was built after France’s defeat against Prussia in 1870 to end France’s woes.
It was designed by architect Paul Abadie. The Basilica is in the Romano-Byzantine style and in Greek cross shape.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart overlooks Paris from the top of Montmartre and offers a splendid panorama of the city.
Free audioguide can be downloaded from the Basilica official website to prepare your visit.
A discovery conference is also available on the official website to learn more about the monument.
A panoramic virtual tour of the Basilica is available on the official website.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart being a religious monument and a worship place, proper attire is desired when visiting the site.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is open everyday from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The dome and the crypt are open daily from 10:30 am to 7:30 p.m.
The main entrance is located on the Basilica forecourt.
The site is reachable by public transport:
- Metro : line 2 “Anvers” or “Pigalle” stations, line 12 “Jules Joffrin”, “Abbesses” or “Pigalle” stations.
- Bus : line 30 “Rochechouart – Clignancourt” stop, line 31 “Barbès – Rochechouart” stop, line 40 “Funiculaire” or “Utrillo” stop, line 54 “Anvers – Sacré-Cœur” stop, line 80 “Lamarck – Caulaincourt” stop or line 85 “Rochechouart – Clignancourt” stop.
To avoid climbing Montmartre hill by stairs :
- Funicular (price: one metro ticket).
- Monmartobus (price: 1,70€).
Paying car parks are located around the Montmartre hill.
Access to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart is free.
A guide booklet can be purchased in the Basilica bookstore to accompany your visit (€5).
Dome visit
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (November to February), 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (March to May) and 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (June to September).
Price: €6
Child price: €5
The Dome is reachable outside on the left side of the Basilica.
- Crypt visit
Usually closed to the public, the crypt opens exceptionally its doors during the Jubilee year of its consecration (2019-2020).
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Price: €3
Child price: €2
Visit duration: 45 minutes.
Combined tickets for the two visits can also be purchased (normal price: €8 / child price: €5).
It is not necessary to make reservation for group visit.
Visitors are allowed to enter the Basilica during services and masses, but being silent out of respect for prayer.
As part of Vigipirate operation (see NEED TO KNOW), security check will be carried out when entering the site.
A ramp and an elevator are located at 35 rue du Chevalier de la Barre, at the rear of the Basilica to allow people with reduced mobility to access the Basilica (opening hours: 9:30 a.m . to 5:30 p.m., phone number: (+33) 1 53 41 89 00).
People with reduced mobility cannot access the Dome (no elevator).
Please note: Dogs and other pets are not allowed on site.
Only guide dogs are allowed to access the monument.
The Basilica s not equipped with toilets.
Public toilets are available in the Square du Louise-Michel, at 1 rue Lamarck, 75018 Paris and at 2 Pace Saint-Pierre, 75018 Paris.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is no heated or air conditionned
A bookstore and a gift-shop are on site. The Basilica store does not offer mail-order selling.
Photos and videos are prohibited inside the Basilica.
The monument can be photographed and filmed from the outside.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart esplanade offers a panoramic view of Paris. It is the opportunity to take pictures of the city from above.
A free WiFi hotspot is available inside the Basilica
As for all major tourist sites, there is a risk of pickpockets presence around the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Watch your personnal belongings.
For more information, see the recommendations in the NEED TO KNOW chapter here.
Montmartre was a place of worship long before the Basilica construction. In the Gallic era, the hill was a pagan sanctuary, then it became a place dedicated to the Roman gods, before becoming a Catholic worship place.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is dedicated to the Christ Heart (“Sacred Heart”).
To attend masses or officiates, consult the timetables on the Basilica official website.
The faithful can have a Mass said for a particular event (more information here).
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart being a religious monument and a worship place, proper attire is desired when visiting the site.
“Montmartre” name comes from the contraction of “Martyrs Mount” (“Mont des Martyrs” in French), the old hill name. According to history, the first bishop of Paris, Saint-Denis, was martyred here.
Due to geographic constraints, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart has a North-South orientation, unlike the majority of churches which are oriented East-West.
In Roman times, temples dedicated to Mars and Mercury were built on Montmartre hill.
Before the Basilica construction, the Montmartre Abbey, erected in 1134, was already an important place of pilgrimage.
The project to built the Basilica of the Sacred Heart stems from a personal wish of the philanthropist Alexandre Legentil in 1871. This project was then recognizied as of public utility by a law passed in the French National Assembly 2 years later.
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