# Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Paris > The Sacré-Cœur is a gleaming white basilica at the top of Montmartre and the second most popular sight in Paris after the Eiffel Tower. It was built from 1875 to 1914 in neo-Byzantine style to a design by Paul Abadie. Its dome rises 200 metres above the Seine, and the steps in front look out over the whole city. Entry is free; the dome climb is ticketed. Allow about an hour, half a day with Montmartre. Web page: https://yesgo.io/france/paris/sacre-coeur - City: [Paris](https://yesgo.io/france/paris), France - YesGo score: 62/100 (Yes, go) - Time on site: 1 h - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Basilica free - Dome: Ticketed climb, about 300 steps - Hours: Daily, morning to evening - Time needed: About an hour - Built: 1875–1914 - Location: Top of Montmartre, 18th arrondissement - Coordinates: 48.88665, 2.34295 - Facts checked: 12.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1875–1914** — construction period (source: English Wikipedia) - **200 m** — dome height above the Seine (source: English Wikipedia) - **77** — designs entered the competition (source: English Wikipedia) - **2nd** — most visited sight in Paris (source: English Wikipedia) ## About the Sacré-Cœur The Basilica of the Sacred Heart stands at the very top of [Montmartre](https://yesgo.io/france/paris/montmartre), the highest point in Paris. Its dome rises **200 metres** above the Seine and is visible from much of the city. Only the Eiffel Tower draws more visitors in Paris. Architect **Paul Abadie's** neo-Byzantine-Romanesque design was chosen from **77** entries. Work began in **1875**, lasted forty years under five architects and finished in **1914**. The white stone doesn't darken with age and even whitens in the rain, so the basilica always looks dazzling. ## What to see - **The steps and terrace** — a view over all of Paris. - **The apse mosaic** — one of the largest in France. - **The dome** — a circular gallery above the city. - **The crypt** — a lower church beneath the basilica. - **The funicular** — up the hill in a couple of minutes. - **Place du Tertre** — painters just steps away. ## Inside the basilica Inside it's bright and spacious. Above the altar glows a huge **mosaic** of Christ with outstretched arms, one of the largest mosaics in France. There are stained-glass windows and marble columns, and prayer never stops: continuous adoration has gone on here since 1885. The **dome** climb is a separate ticket up a narrow spiral staircase of about 300 steps. At the top a circular gallery offers a 360-degree panorama stretching for dozens of kilometres on clear days, the highest viewpoint in Paris after the Eiffel Tower. > **Getting up the hill** Wide staircases climb from the boulevard below, or take the Montmartre funicular on an ordinary metro ticket. The terrace and steps attract street sellers and people offering friendship bracelets, so politely decline and keep your belongings close. ## The view of Paris The main reason to come is the **view**. From the terrace Paris lies spread out below: rooftops, domes, the Montparnasse tower, the Opéra and, in the distance, the Eiffel Tower. People sit on the steps for hours, especially at sunset when the city turns pink and gold and street musicians play guitar. Below, the Square Louise Michel has lawns and paths with the classic view up to the basilica. At night the basilica is floodlit and shines over the city. ## Architecture and the bell The basilica is built of pale travertine from near Paris, a stone that keeps its whiteness as it weathers. Inspired by Byzantine and Romanesque churches, its central dome is ringed by smaller domes, with a square bell tower above housing one of France's heaviest bells, cast in the late 19th century. Bronze equestrian statues of saints stand on the façade above mosaics and reliefs. Walk around the basilica: the north side offers a quiet view over the gardens of Montmartre that few visitors see. ## How to get there 1. Metro line 2 to **Anvers**, then a 10-minute walk uphill. 2. The Montmartre funicular, on a metro ticket. 3. Metro line 12 to **Abbesses**, through Montmartre's lanes. 4. The Montmartrobus round the hill. ## Tips for your visit Come in the morning when it's quiet, or at sunset for the view. Photography isn't allowed inside, and silence is expected during services. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. Pair the Sacré-Cœur with a Montmartre walk: Place du Tertre and its painters, the Montmartre vineyard and the Moulin Rouge at the foot of the hill. Allow half a day in all. Children enjoy the funicular and sitting on the steps above the city. The dome climb is long and narrow, which can be hard for little ones. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Ride the funicular - [ ] See the apse mosaic - [ ] Climb into the dome - [ ] Watch sunset from the steps - [ ] Walk to Place du Tertre ## Places in Paris: compare and choose Places in Paris rated by YesGo. - [Notre-Dame de Paris](https://yesgo.io/france/paris/notre-dame-de-paris) — YesGo score 74/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Free; optional timed booking - [Sacré-Cœur Basilica](https://yesgo.io/france/paris/sacre-coeur) — YesGo score 62/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Basilica free - [Sainte-Chapelle](https://yesgo.io/france/paris/sainte-chapelle) — YesGo score 57/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Timed ticket, online - [La Madeleine](https://yesgo.io/france/paris/la-madeleine) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free - [Saint-Sulpice](https://yesgo.io/france/paris/saint-sulpice) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 30 min · Free - [Saint-Germain-des-Prés](https://yesgo.io/france/paris/saint-germain-des-pres) — YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · Quarter and church free ## Don't mix it up The Sacré-Cœur is the white 19th–20th-century basilica on Montmartre; Notre-Dame is the Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité. ## Tips - Entry is free. - Take the funicular up. - Sunset on the steps. - Beware of bracelet sellers. ## Questions ### How much does the Sacré-Cœur cost? Entry to the basilica is free; the dome climb is paid. ### How do I get up to the Sacré-Cœur? By the steps from Anvers metro or the funicular on a metro ticket. ### Can you climb the dome? Yes, on a separate ticket, about 300 steps. ### When was the Sacré-Cœur built? From 1875 to 1914. ### How long do you need? About an hour, half a day with Montmartre. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia. Hours and prices weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Sacré-Cœur, Paris - Official website, sacre-coeur-montmartre.com --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.