Paris1972-Versailles2003

Oh yes again Sacré Coeur Basilica of Montmartre!! Quickly, I have written before ,but I could dedicated several volumes in a book on it; a must to see in Paris and a lot more than its religious meaning, the force and strenght of the people of Paris, France are in it. A better place to understand my belle France.  What can I say about Sacre Coeur, it is a very popular Basilica Church of Paris. I have written before so will just give some new text and new photos even if older from my vault . Therefore, here is my take on the Sacré Coeur Basilica of Montmartre in Paris, part I !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I. Again, one of the must see and must stop on your way to Paris. The historical center of a wonderful district ,a city in its right call Montmartre.   The hill of martyrs as in English, no heroes of any sort, but those earlier Christians who gave it all for the faith. Here Saint Denis was beheaded by pagans lords, but He continue to preach all the way to Saint Denis where now is his Basilica de Saint Denis; it all begun at Montmartre. It was completed in 1910 and was consecrated in 1919. The Sacré-Cœur Basilica is 100 meters long and 50 meters wide surmounted by a dome 83 meters high. The 84 meters high campanile houses a bell weighing 18.5 tons with its 850 kg clapper. The construction of this Roman-Byzantine style basilica dedicated to the Sacred Heart was declared of public utility by the National Assembly of France in 1873. Its construction began in 1876 on the plans of architect Abadie largely inspired by the Church of St Front in Périgueux of which he was the restorer. The interior contains decorative treasures: marble sculptures, stained glass windows and mosaics. The hill of Montmartre is the highest point of Paris with its 130 meters in height. From the square of the basilica there is a beautiful panoramic view of Paris!! A bit of history that I like tell us that in September 1870, Félix Fournier sent a letter to the priests of his bishopric, which would then have inspired the philanthropist Alexandre Legentil. The latter expressed the wish in 1871 to see the birth in the Butte de Montmartre, a place of worship already at the time, “a sanctuary dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus“. Construction began on June 16, 1875 ,The people of Montmartre, at the time, therefore called the basilica, the Notre Dame de la Galette, The work, delayed, will not really be finished until after the end of WWII, whose the ravages had even destroyed the stained-glass windows of the basilica. Following, the capitulation of Napoleon III and the bloody episode of the great commune of Paris. Catholics regard these terrible events as a punishment from God. The faithful then meet and organize huge faith processions, promising to erect a monument to the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Archbishop of Paris, Monsignor Guibert, sends a letter to the Minister of Cultes or worship asking him to support this project which would contribute to the divine protection of Paris. In order for the protection to be effective and visible to all, it was decided to build the monument on a hill. Monsignor Guibert would have had a divine vision when he visited the Butte Montmartre which gave him a sunny view of Paris. To decide on the choice of architect, a competition is organized under the chairmanship of Charles Garnier, the father architect of the Opéra. He chose Paul Abadie .The construction began in 1875. To carry out this expensive project, it was called for donations and it was the Parisians themselves who financed the Basilica by buying 1 to 3 stones, the prices of which varied between 120 and 500 francs. The Sacré-Coeur is a private monument, property of the Archdiocese of Paris, and not a building of the French State !!! The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, known as the National Vow, located at the top of the Montmartre hill, in the Clignancourt quartier or neighborhood of the 18éme arrondissement or district of Paris, To access the Holy of Holies, you must first climb 237 steps but it is worth it: a breathtaking view of our Paris awaits you. Fortunately, since 1901 a cable car or funicular has provided easier access to the Holy Grail.  An anecdote: In April 1944 (WWII) 13 bombs exploded on the Sacré Coeur without causing any casualties, a miracle. The huge gorgeous mosaic of the Choir represents “The Triumph of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”. With a total area of 475m2, it is one of the largest in the world. The Choir of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre and its Carrara marble altarpiece ,the Choir is closed by eleven Romanesque arcades, strangely extended upwards. Hugely wonderful awesome ,gorgeous again need to see it. I have several times and always looking forward for more.   Today, the Sacré Coeur continues to fascinate Parisians and tourists alike. With its many chapels, its crypt, its unique furniture, its organs and its dome rising 83 meters high, it is a must-visit when visiting Paris or simply strolling through Montmartre. Its position, overlooking the city, gives one of the most beautiful panoramas we have ever seen in Paris. This is not to be missed. The official Sacré Coeur Basilica: http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/english/ The official Benedictines monks on the basilica: https://www.benedictines-montmartre.fr/ou-nous-trouver/la-basilique-du-sacre-coeur-de-montmartre/ The Paris tourist office on the basilica: https://parisjetaime.com/eng/culture/basilique-du-sacre-coeur-de-montmartre-p3526 And the Paris Catholic Diocese on the Sacré Coeur Basilica: https://www.paris.catholique.fr/-sacre-coeur-de-montmartre-1371-.html There you go folks, a work of art, a wonderful place to visit my beautiful capital of France, eternal Paris. It will be worth your time and effort, the Sacré Coeur Basilica was done by citizens for all of us. Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Sacré Coeur Basilica of Montmartre in Paris, part I !!! as I. And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!