The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris is a Roman Catholic church at the summit of the butte Monmatre, which is the highest point of the city of Paris, the capital of France. Its most prevalent name, however, is Sacre Cœur. Designed by Paul Abatie its construction began in 1875 and was finished in 1914. Its consecration took place after the end of World War I in 1919. Sacre Cœur was erected as a national penance for the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War and the socialist Paris Commune both in 1871. It measures at its highest point 83 metres and was built with travertine stone. What is remarkable about this stone is the fact that it constantly exudes calcite, which ensures that the basilica remains white even with weathering and pollution. Nowadays it is a popular tourist attraction. The building itself is already worth a visit but the view from the dome goes even one step further. Attention should be paid to the fact that the opening times of the basilica aren’t identical with those of the dome.
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