Paris City Guide: Sacré-Cœur Basilica - Travel & Discover
26 Video Views·Jul 16, 2017
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica and often simply Sacré-Cœur, is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Paris, France. A popular landmark, the basilica is located at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city.
Leaving the banks of the Seine, we climb up to the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur,
a favorite place for Parisians to take their Sunday stroll.
The Sacred Heart Basilica stands high atop the Montmartre Hill in northern Paris.
The Sacré-Cœur Basilica is relatively new, constructed in the late 1800s,
though in style it intentionally recalls ancient Romanesque Byzantine architecture,
vestiges of which have been preserved all across southern France.
The triple-arched portico of the impressive façade is surmounted by two bronze equestrian
statues of France's national saints, Joan of Arc and King Saint Louis IX.
Not far from the crowds of tourists are the quiet and charming spots that define the Montmartre
area. The best way to experience Montmartre is simply to hit the streets and notice what
grabs people. A carefree attitude is the key to appreciating the true spirit of Montmartre.
The massive building has managed to keep its brilliant white color even in the polluted air
of a big city like Paris. This can be attributed to their Château Lendon stones, which were used
for the construction of the basilica. When it rains, the stones react to the water and secrete
calcite, which acts like a bleach, keeping the stones pearly white.