Guide to visiting the Sacré-Coeur in Paris: Top 7 things to see

The Sacré-Coeur remains one of the most iconic and recognizable landmarks in Paris. Meaning “sacred heart” in English, from its humble beginnings as a pagan place of worship, the Sacré-Coeur is now one of the most visited sites in Paris, attracting more than ten million visitors a year.

Here are seven things that the Sacré-Coeur is famous for, from its stunning architecture to its remarkable views of Paris.

The Sacré-Coeur was built in the Romano-Byzantine style which is a sharp contrast to the Gothic churches of the Middle Ages like Notre-Dame de Paris. A stark feature is its white exterior, kept pristine all year round due to it being built of travertine stone—a material that releases calcite which keeps the basilica white.

When you enter the basilica, you’ll be blown away by the ceiling which displays one of the grandest and biggest mosaics in the world covering about 480 square meters: the Mosaic of Christ in Glory, designed by architect Luo-Oliver Merson in 1922. The mosaic illustrates the risen Christ surrounded by the Saints who protect France: the Virgin Mary, St. Joan of Arc, and St. Michael. Whether you’re religious or not, it’s hard to peel your eyes away from this majestic piece.

The stained-glass windows in the Sacré-Coeur are stunning. But did you know that they are not the original ones? During World War II, the stained-glass windows were destroyed by the bombings and were then rebuilt in 1946. If you look carefully, you’ll also notice some post-war design styles on the windows, which were influenced by abstract geometric paintings of Piet Mondrian, a Dutch artist.

The crypt inside the Sacré-Coeur holds a number of interesting artifacts and treasures. Here, you’ll find the very first stone of the basilica along with the tombs of several people who were important to the history of the place. There’s a large collection of statues, and the most notable is the large statue of St. Denis, the patron saint of Paris, holding his head in his hands. It was said that St. Denis walked the streets of Montmartre with his decapitated head preaching the word of God before he finally died.

The Savoyard bell of the Sacré-Coeur is the largest bell in France. It’s known as La Savoyarde because it was donated by the four dioceses of Savoie. The bell weighs a hefty 19 tonnes, and it can be heard from 10 miles away. While it used to be rung on major holidays, this tradition has stopped since a crack began to appear on the bell in the late 1990s.

The grand pipe organ of the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur is considered one of the most impressive in Europe. It was recognized as a national monument in 1981 for its imposing size, rare quality of manufacture and unique sound quality. Due to wear and tear, the organ is now in desperate need of repair, and the Sacré-Coeur is accepting donations for its restoration.

When you’re done touring the ground level of the Sacré-Coeur, we recommend climbing the stairs to the dome. The entrance to the dome is located on the left, just after the basilica entrance. A narrow winding staircase of 300 steps leads you to the top, where you’ll be greeted with one of the most stunning panoramic views of Paris. On a clear day, you can see up to 24 miles across the city. Don’t forget to take the time to appreciate the elaborate designs on the gargoyles.

The Sacré-Coeur is open from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily and entry is free to all.

If you're looking to capture Sacré-Coeur in the best light, just before sunset is perfect—but be prepared for crowds.

Beat the crowd and go right after sunrise or sunset. Montmartre, however, is on the outskirts of Paris so going in the morning would mean an early morning trek. Going late at night, on the other hand, puts you in a rougher area after dark, so always be aware of your surroundings.

The Sacré-Coeur is located in the heart of the charming Montmartre neighborhood in the 18th arrondissement.

There are several metro stations close by but the nearest one is Anvers on line 2. After exiting the station, the cathedral is a 2-minute walk up Rue de Steinkerque.

If you would like a little workout, alight at the Abbesses Station on line 12, which is the deepest station in the Paris metro at 118 feet below ground, and climb the winding stairs to the top. After exiting the station, take a 5-minute walk down Yvonne le Tac to get to the foot of the cathedral.

Buses number 40 and 50 service the Montmartre area and stop just steps from the base of the Sacré-Coeur.

If you don’t wish to climb the steps, you can opt to take the funicular which will take you to the top of the hill. It takes only 90 seconds but gets busy during peak hours.

An alternative to consider: Join one of the guided walking tours that will take you through the lively streets of Montmartre to the top of the hill where the basilica stands.

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