Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart sits on the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest natural point in the city. Its foundation stone was laid in 1875, the dome was finished in 1899 and the bell tower in 1912, and the church was consecrated in 1919. Paul Abadie's design, chosen from 77 proposals, draws on Romanesque and Byzantine models, and the building is faced with travertine from Seine-et-Marne that releases calcite when it rains, which keeps the stone so white.

Inside, the apse is dominated by one of the largest mosaics in the world, The Triumph of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, made from around 25,000 pieces and covering 475 square metres. The basilica has been a place of continuous Eucharistic adoration, day and night, since 1 August 1885, so expect a quiet, prayerful atmosphere. For a wider view, the dome is open to visitors for a fee and is reached by a long spiral climb, giving a panorama over the whole city. The steps and terraces in front of the basilica also look out over Paris for free and are a popular place to sit at sunset.

Visiting the basilica is free and it is open every day from 6.30am to 10.30pm, with a later closing at midnight on the first Thursday of each month. It is an active church, so dress modestly, keep noise to a minimum and avoid photography during services. The main organ is being restored until the end of May 2027, and the choir organ is used for services in the meantime. The dome can close in storms or high winds, as it did on 23 October 2026.

The area gets crowded on weekend afternoons, so early morning is the calmest time. Allow about 45 minutes for the basilica and the same again if you climb the dome. Be wary of people offering string bracelets or petitions on the steps, which is a common nuisance around the hill.

The nearest metro stations are Anvers on line 2 and Abbesses on line 12. From Anvers, walk up Rue de Steinkerque to Square Louise-Michel, then climb the steps or take the funicular, which uses a standard metro ticket. Place du Tertre with its painters, the Musée de Montmartre and the vineyard on Rue des Saules are all a few minutes' walk away.