Visiting the Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre: everything you need to know to discover it with your family

Can you visit the Sacré-Cœur with a stroller? How to avoid the stairs to reach the basilica, and can you climb the dome with small children? A family outing to Montmartre requires a few precautions, especially with a baby. Funicular, stroller, 280 steps to the dome, no elevator, and free access to the basilica: here’s what you need to know before you go.

The first challenge of Sacré-Cœur with kids appears even before you step through the doors: you’ve got to climb the hill. Perched at about 130 meters above sea level, the basilica commands the Paris skyline from Montmartre. With a bébé in a stroller and jeunes enfants, there’s no need to tackle the roughly 220 steps up to the forecourt: the funiculaire de Montmartre allows you to ascend in just over a minute.

How to get to the Sacré-Cœur with a stroller?

The Montmartre funicular is the go-to option when you’re with a toddler. It connects the base of the hill to the terrace of the Sacré-Cœur and helps you skip the long climb up the stairs. Prams are allowed on the RATP network, preferably folded. During peak periods, a compact stroller will be much easier to handle. Once you reach the top, you just have to walk to the basilica’s forecourt.

For families who want to go for a walk, keep in mind that a string of stairs can quickly become taxing when you’re lugging a little one. With a baby, it’s wiser to save your energy for exploring Montmartre.

Inside the Basilica, it is not specified whether strollers are allowed, but it’s not uncommon to see parents strolling with their children.

Do you have to pay to visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica?

No. Entrance to the basilica is free and no reservation is needed for an individual visit. The basilica is currently open every day from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., but it’s wise to check the hours before you come. Masses and other religious services also shape the day.

Sacré-Cœur remains above all a sanctuary and a place of prayer. During the visit, visitors are asked to observe silence, especially in the nave. Proper attire is required. The tourist route is mainly along the ambulatory, which circles the choir.

With kids, there's no point in dragging out the visit. The grand Mosaic of Christ in Glory, the domes and the various architectural details already offer plenty that's easy to spot.

Is it possible to climb to the Sacré‑Cœur dome with kids?

This is where the visit takes a sharp turn. If the interior of the basilica can easily be woven into a family outing, the climb to the dome is far more demanding.

To reach the summit, you must climb 280 steps in a narrow staircase. And crucially: there is no elevator. The official site even warns that this visit isn’t suitable for people with mobility challenges, pregnant women, and very young children, as well as anyone who fears confined spaces. If you’ve got a baby or a child who might need to be carried along the way, you should seriously reconsider before you start. A stroller obviously isn’t an option for this part of the visit.

Are there restrooms on the way up to the dome?

Another important note for families with kids: there are no restrooms along the dome’s route. Before buying tickets and starting the 280-step ascent, it’s wise for the whole family to use the restroom. Once you begin climbing, there’s no mid-journey bathroom break.

Access to the dome is, moreover, paid, unlike the basilica. As of September 2026, the stated price is €5 for children up to 15 years old and €8 for those 16 and over. Hours can vary by season, maintenance work, or weather conditions: check them on the day or the day before your visit.

Basilica or Dome with Young Children?

With a baby in a stroller, a primary-schooler, and a middle-schooler, you should treat it as two separate visits. Exploring the basilica and its forecourt is easily doable with the whole family, using the funicular to keep everyone’s energy up. The dome, by contrast, requires a bit more planning.

A child tall enough to scale 280 steps will relish the experience and the 360-degree view of Paris. With a very young child, the ascent is much less suitable. In a family with several adults, it can be easier to split up briefly: one parent goes up to the dome with the older kids while the other stays with the baby.

Visiting the Sacré-Cœur with the Family: What You Need to Know

Before you visit, here are the key points you should know:

Access to the Butte: about 220 steps lead up to the Sacré-Cœur area from the lower part of Montmartre.

Funicular: a great option when you're traveling with a baby or young children to avoid the stairs.

Stroller on the funicular: allowed on the RATP network, preferably folded; a compact model will be easier to manage during peak times.

Basilica: free entry and no reservation required for individual visits.

Basilica hours: currently open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; please verify before your visit.

Place of worship: please observe quiet and show a respectful demeanor inside.

Dôme : a separate, ticketed visit.

Climb to the dome: 280 steps.

Dome elevator: none.

Dome staircase: narrow; access is not recommended for very young children.

With a baby: it's best to limit yourself to the basilica and its forecourt, or arrange for an adult to stay with the baby while the older children climb up to the dome.

Dome restrooms: none along the route.

Tarif du dôme : 5 euros for ages up to 15, and 8 euros from age 16 onward as of September 2026.

Dome hours: vary with the seasons, weather, and maintenance work; be sure to check before you head out.

For a family with children of different ages, the Sacré-Cœur is quite doable—provided you don’t lump the basilica and the dome together. Take the funicular with the little ones, explore the forecourt and the basilica as a family, and then, if the older kids are up to it, tackle the 280 steps: everyone can discover Montmartre at their own pace without turning the outing into a makeshift portage.

The Dome of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica: the view from the Butte Montmartre, practical information
Dominating Paris from the Butte Montmartre, the Sacré-Coeur dome offers one of the capital's most spectacular panoramas. A spiritual and architectural symbol, it is as captivating for its history as it is for the 360° view it affords visitors ready to climb its 300 steps. [Read more]

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