Paris - Basilique du Sacré Coeur - 18e

 Plate XCIII – Basilica Sacre Couer de Montmartre …

If asked to name the top three icons of Parisian landmarks, Sacré Coeur must surely take its rightful place alongside Eiffel’s tower and the Napoleonic Arc de Triomphe. Dominating the Butte Montmartre and completely overshadowing the neighbouring stone church of St Pierre, often claimed to be the oldest church in Paris, is arguably the newest significant church of the city. To some, it may seem unusual to describe Sacré Coeur as new, for such is it’s dominance of every familiar view of Paris’ northern skyline that the visitor can be forgiven for thinking it has always been there. The truth is it was constructed between the laying of the foundation stone in 1875 and its final consecration in 1919. The stone used in construction of the Basilica is a lime travertine from the Seine-et-Marne region of France, and its perpetual gleaming whiteness is thanks to the stone’s property of continually exuding a form of calcite. Almost Oriental in appearance the architectural style of Sacré Coeur is best described as Romanesque Byzantine, and is mainly ascribed to architect Paul Abadie, whose design was (once again) the winner of an open public architectural competition. The impressive tall tower at the rear of the church contains a 19 ton cast bell named Savoyard, one of the largest in the world. The beautiful gardens surrounding the church are today a popular retreat for both residents and visitors, and access into the church is via an imposing grand staircase leading to the front portico featuring three entrance arches.