102819 5 Location 453197 <p>La Basilique du Sacre-Coeur in Montmartre is a symbol of Paris, erected in 1876 by national subscription. Unique qualities : a mixture of Romanesque and Byzantine style, interesting white colour, five typically Oriental domes, a famous bell (Savoyarde, 19 tons) on the back part, two equestrian statues (King Louis the Blessed and Joan of Arc), an extremely elaborate interior with reliefs, paintings and mosaics, a vaste underground crypt. </p><p>To visit this famous and breathtaking Parisian church would probably be impossible without being surrounded by crowds of like-minded people. When you visit, try and go inside whilst a service is being held - we were fortunate enough to do this, and even for any staunch 'non-believers' it would be difficult not to be amazed by its sheer beauty and the serene atmosphere in and around this church. </p><p>In front of Sacre Coeur there is always a collection of dancers, jugglers, mimes, musicians and unauthorized street vendors. This is a lively and entertaining scene as some of the performers are quite talented. I have never been tempted by the vendors, but others tell me you should be cautious with them and look out for pickpockets as well. A time or two we noticed the vendors, who display their wares on blankets spread on the sidewalk or plaza, would gather their wares in the blanket/knapsack and rapidly disappear. Evidently there is some code they hear that translates roughly, "Cheez it, the cops!" </p><p>Sacre Coeur for me is the most beautiful church in Paris. The church itself came into being after the Prussina War in 1870. Two Catholic businessmen (who must have been loaded) made a pledge to build a church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Christ (Sacre Coeur means Sacred Heart), should France be saved from the Prussian onslaught. </p><p>The Catholics believed that this was a punishment from God and that they needed to build a church to pay penance. Montmartre (mount of Martyrs) was the chosen site, it had long been a place of worship and from its location high on the hill, it can be seen all over Paris The basilica took over 40 years to build, the foundations are deeper than those of the Egyptian pyramids!</p><p>Well I hate to spoil the anticipation, but yes of course France was spared. Work started in 1875, and was completed in 1914, but World War I and the German invasion of Paris meant that the church was consecrated until 1919. If you arrive at the bottom of the hill, beware, there are a lot of steps to get to the top! There is a Funiculaire up the hill however, which can be taken from abbesses metro station. </p><p>If you take the steps it will be a really good walk that will give your calf muscles a good work out . It is a long climb to the top (something like 500 stairs) and the whole way you have to dodge those same creepy peddlers from the Eiffel Tower (except here they will try to make you a friendship bracelet). Along your way up, there are plenty of chances for a rest with the same great view ahead of you. But I must say that no matter how tired or sick you feel (I was VERY sick!) you MUST, MUST, MUST go up to the top to go into this church! It is amazing! There is a painted mural of Christ on the ceiling that is jaw-dropping. There is no photography in the church, but it isn't something that you will be forgetting quickly. </p><p>The Butte Montmartre, crowned by the Sacre Coeur, is the highest Paris' "summit". </p><p>There are two different stories about the name "Montmatre" origin : the official one beeing 'Mont de Mercure', but, a 13th century legend states that it comes from 'Mont des Martyrs' and refers to those, who, with Saint Denis (the first Paris' bishop), were killed here for their faith in the 3th century. From the 12th century to the Revoution (1789) Montmartre housed an important and powerfull benedictine Abbaye. </p><p>In 1790, Montmartre was divided in two (uphill and downhill). While the downhill part was quite imediately re-included in Paris, the uphill one grew as a prosperous village until the 19th century and kept some independance, even after being attached to Paris in 1860 (and took an important part in the 'Commune' revolution in 1871). </p><p>This independant status appealed to artists, especially painters (like Vernet, Géricault, Corot, Pissarro, Renoir, Van Gogh, Utrillo, Picasso, ....) who moved to the Butte Montmartre during all the 19th century and the begining of the 20th. Since then, if the area has lost its favour among the artists (in the 50's to Saint Germain des Pres (wich has now become a strictly touristy place too)) it has earned a lot among the tourists, especially after the film 'Amelie' (french title : Le fabuleux destin d'Amelie Poulain) came out. </p><p>It's a working class, cosmopolitan, colourfull, ever crowded and lively area dominated by 'artists' (and souvenir shops) place du Tertre, cafes everywhere, and fabric and (cheap) clothes stores. </p><p>It's one of my favorite district in Paris. It has its own spirit I'm sure. I can't explain that. I just liked it, its streets upstairs and downstairs. Fantastic place! I had a walking from Monceau Park to Sacre Coeur Basilica and it was one of the most fantastic journeys in my life. You should have a walking in quarters near of the cemetery because on the closed jalousie of the shops there are nice pictures of the local painters. </p><p>Address: Parvis du Sacre Coeur, 75018 Paris<br />Website: <a href="/go?l=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com%2F&tracking=external" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/</a></p><p>Directions: on the top of the hill of Montmartre <br />Metro : Anvers, Abbesses, Château Rouge, Lamarck-Caulaincourt <br />Bus : 30, 54, 80, 85, Montmartrobus<br /></p> 2006-08-01T16:52:37-07:00 570425350 2006-06-20T17:00:00-07:00 0 -9223372036854775790 156746 1890874 102819 0 181083 0.247078829846877 2006-06-19T17:00:00-07:00 Published 150.0 2006-08-01T16:53:41-07:00 89178 0