Sacré-Coeur de Paris, the must-see basilica at the top of Montmartre Hill

Standing proudly atop the Montmartre hill, the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur overlooks the rooftops of Paris. This emblematic monument of the City of Light can be seen from every rooftop and every vantage point, including the Eiffel Tower and Tour Montparnasse. Perched 130 metres high, it itself offers a magnificent panorama of the capital.

The dazzling white Basilica du Sacré-Coeur shines in summer and winter alike, marveling at its intricate Romanesque-Byzantine architecture. The 83-metre-high dome offers an impressive 360° view of the surrounding area. Its recognizable dome measures 16 meters in diameter and 55 meters in height. What beautiful shapes!

But its beauty doesn't end with its façade or the extraordinary view it affords! When you step inside, it's hard to take your eyes off the ceiling, and with good reason: France's largest mosaic spans almost 480m2. In fact, it's one of the largest in the world! Called the Christ in Glory mosaic, it reveals deep, vivid colors. The resurrected Christ reveals a golden heart that catches the eye of all who enter.

Sacré-Coeur also houses France's largest bell: no less than 19 tonnes, 3 metres in diameter and 9 metres high! Another of its treasures is undoubtedly its crypt. Here you'll find statues of saints, tombs of cardinals, relics, the Pièta chapel with its large-scale representation of the Virgin Mary, and much, much more.

The Sacré-Coeur and its epic dimensions are a real crowd-puller. Impossible not to take a stroll through the streets of Paris and the 18th arrondissement!

• To be read
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Practical info:

Opening hours :
Open daily from 6.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m.

Admission:
Free admission
6€ for a visit to the Dôme

Access:
Jules Joffrin (M° 12) + Bus 40 (stop Place du Tertre)
Pigalle (M° 12, M° 2) + Bus 40 (stop Norvins)
Anvers (M° 2) + Funicular (one metro ticket) or stairs
Abbesses (M° 12) + Funicular (one metro ticket) or stairs

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