Sacré-Cœur was built after the Franco-Prussian War as a national penance church and finished in the early 20th century. From the steps you see the city spread south; from the dome, on a clear day, the view stretches to the outskirts.
Vast mosaic of Christ in Glory, quiet side chapels, and ongoing prayer; dress modestly and keep voices down.
Hundreds of steps, narrow passages, and a panoramic gallery. Not for anyone who dislikes confined stairs.
Place du Tertre, the vineyard, and the funicular or stair streets from Abbesses and Anvers.
Basilica entry is free; dome and crypt tickets are paid at on-site counters. Scams and pickpockets are common on the steps and around Place du Tertre. Confirm dome hours, which are shorter than the church.
Arrive before golden hour for space on the terrace; the funicular helps if you want to save your legs for the dome.
Artist square, Musée de Montmartre and quiet back streets work better than treating the basilica as a five-minute photo stop.
Queues build late morning. First openings are calmer.
Is Sacré-Cœur free?
Entering the church is free. The dome (and crypt when open) require a ticket.
How many steps to the dome?
On the order of 300 steps, with no lift. Wear practical shoes.
Is Mass open to visitors?
It is an active basilica. Tourist visits pause or are restricted during services; check posted times.
When is the best view?
Clear late afternoon and sunset from the parvis; dome views are wider but ticketed.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart was designed by Paul Abadie in a Romano-Byzantine style and consecrated in 1919. Its pale stone whitens with age as calcite weathers.
It remains a place of perpetual adoration as well as one of Paris's busiest viewpoints. Management of the site is religious; tourism infrastructure sits around the parvis.
This page is an independent guide for visitors, covering the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur.
