Sacre Coeur is a working temple and one of the most visited religious monuments in France. It rightfully ranks second after Notre Dame Cathedral. Here you can listen to Mass, visit the crypt, see the monument and frescoes. There are no special excursions around the basilica, each tourist can draw up a program on their own using a guidebook.
Description and history of the temple
The Sacre Coeur Basilica or Temple of the Sacred Heart is a Parisian landmark that is regularly visited by hundreds of tourists. The temple was built in 1876-1914, the authorship belongs to the architect P. Abadi. Initially, the basilica was supposed to serve as a place of pilgrimage and one of the strongholds of European Catholicism. However, due to the outbreak of the First World War, the consecration of the temple was postponed and services began only in 1919.
The Sacre Coeur is located on the right bank of the Seine, at the top of Mormartre. 270 steps lead up to the imposing white stone building topped with 5 domes. Having overcome them, tourists can admire the magnificent panorama of Paris. Going up under the main canopy increases the view. The basilica was built in the Roman-Byzantine style, the building resembles a cross in shape. Behind the central part there is a bell tower with the largest Parisian bell "Savoyard".
Inside, the basilica is decorated with mosaic paintings depicting angels and symbolic animals: a pelican, a rooster, and deer. In the apse under the dome is a unique gold mosaic with scenes of the resurrection of Christ. The windows are decorated with stained-glass windows, there are many sculptures of saints in the hall, the seats of the kliros are decorated with artistic carvings. Another attraction of the temple is the monumental organ with a unique sound. Under the altar part there is a crypt - the resting place of the relics of the martyrs. The crypt is also open to the public.
Exact address and excursions
The address of one of the main Parisian landmarks is 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre. You can get to the basilica by bus or metro along lines 2 or 12, there is a funicular ascent to the temple. Opening hours from 6.00 to 22.30.
The Basilica is a working church, there are no special guided tours here. Any tourist can go to the temple, buy a guidebook from the shop for 5 euros and make their own plan to see the basilicas and crypts. In the shop you can also buy booklets with stories about the lives of the saints, whose images are in the basilica. The museum is open every day, Monday is a day off.
During the liturgies, tourists must behave as correctly as possible, making noise and photographing inside the church is prohibited. You can ask questions about the service, the temple itself and its history to a nun from the Order of the Benedictines, the sisters are on duty at the reception desk on all days of the week, except Monday. Access to the territory of the basilica is free, a ticket to climb under the dome costs 6 euros. For children under 4 years old, the rise is free, after 4 and up to 16 years old there are preferential prices - 4 euros.
The basilica can also be viewed during a sightseeing tour of Montmartre. The price is 20 euros, there are discounts for children.
