Sacré-Cœur

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, or Sacré-Cœur, is one of the most iconic monuments in Paris, located on the top of the Montmartre hill. With its unmistakable white facade and domes towering in the Parisian sky, it represents a point of reference both spiritually and touristically. The basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was built as an act of atonement after France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and the subsequent Paris Commune. The history of the Sacré-Cœur begins in 1873, when the French National Assembly decreed the construction of a votive basilica. The project was entrusted to the architect Paul Abadie, chosen among many candidates for his experience with religious buildings. The first stone was laid in 1875, but the construction encountered numerous difficulties, including problems with the unstable ground of Montmartre and opposition from some citizens. The basilica was only completed in 1914, but the official consecration took place in 1919, after the end of World War I. The architecture of the Sacré-Cœur is a masterpiece that combines Romanesque and Byzantine elements, a stylistic choice that sets it apart from other religious buildings in Paris. The basilica is built in Château-Landon travertine, a stone that, when in contact with water, produces a substance that keeps it white and bright over time. This effect, together with its elevated position, makes the Sacré-Cœur visible from many points in the city, especially at night when it is beautifully illuminated. The interior of the basilica is equally fascinating. The focal point is the mosaic of Christ in glory, one of the largest in the world, covering the apse. Created by Luc-Olivier Merson, it depicts Christ with a golden heart against an intense blue sky, surrounded by figures of saints and martyrs. This mosaic represents devotion to the Sacred Heart, a central theme for the basilica. Montmartre, the neighborhood that houses the Sacré-Cœur, is known for its lively artistic and cultural scene. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Montmartre was the beating heart of Parisian bohemian life, frequented by artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh, Renoir, and Toulouse-Lautrec. The proximity of the basilica to this neighborhood has created an interesting contrast between spirituality and secular art. An interesting anecdote concerns the basilica’s bell, known as the “Savoyarde.” Cast in Annecy in 1895, it is one of the largest bells in the world, weighing over 18 tons. The sound of the Savoyarde is powerful and deep, and can be heard throughout Montmartre, adding an additional element of solemnity to the basilica.