The Travelling Celts

The Church of the Sacred Heart

by Denise Cameron

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 in Paris, France, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Basilica is located at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city. It is a popular landmark, and the second-most visited monument in Paris. It was designed by Paul Abadie and construction began in 1875, it took nearly 40 years to build, finally completed in 1914. Consecration was delayed until after the end of World War I in 1919.

It is considered as both a political and cultural monument, representing a national penance for the defeat of France in the 1870 Franco-Prussian War and for the actions of the Paris Commune of 1871. The church was constructed close to the site of the beginning of the Paris Commune where, on March 18, 1871, Communard soldiers killed two French army generals and seized a park full of artillery.There was (and remains) a feeling of resentment on the French left that the massacre of the Communards was commemorated by a temple of a fundamentally conservative religion. So great was the dislike of Sacré-Cœur the Montmartre group of artists, including van Gogh, Matisse, Degas and Toulouse-Lautrec, decamped en masse to Montparnasse

The foot is full of very busy narrow streets. We had a quick browse around. We spotted a little tram running people up the steep hill to the Basilica, but decided to walk and explore at our own pace under the tree lined steps, while giving us a bit of shade on the way. So we braced ourselves for the walk up the steep steps. At the summit we stopped for a well earned drink and to take time to enjoy the views of the city, then set off to explore our surroundings and this imposing building. We took time to admire the architechure but only the outside,as we were eager to explore the Artist Quarter behind the Basilicia.

We both enjoyed looking at the paintings and drawings, and seeing the different techniques used by the artists plying their wares.

However, the heat was taking its toll, and we had sore feet, so we stopped for lunch in a nearby restaurant. Replenished, we made our way back down the steps and through the narrow streets, keeping a look out for souvenirs. On the way I spotted a wedding shop down a narrow alley. It caught my eye as it stuck out amongst the more traditional architecture surrounding it. A very enjoyable trip.

Click the links below for the Sacre Coeur photos and/or videos