It has been over two decades since I last visited Montmartre and the Basilica of Sacre Couer — and somehow Mark had never gone there at all. So we made a trip to that elevated part of Paris and I’ll be dividing the coverage into Sacre Couer alone and Montmartre in general.
One historical note — the Basilica was completed in 1914 — a mere 99 years ago. So it is not one of the ancient monuments of Paris.
Mark had found a link online to an alternative way to get there that would be a lot less stressful regarding the amount of stairs to climb. And it also would be keeping us away from the scam artists and pickpockets that cluster outside the Abbesses stop on the Metro. That report online is at this link.
As suggested, we got off at the Lamarck station, followed the signs, and took the much more gentle route up Rue Lamarck.
Lamarck Metro entry
Montmartre sign leading to the top
A gentle ramble up Rue Lamarck in Montmartre
After climbing a few dozen stairs, we arrived on the much quieter (and equally pretty!) back facade of Sacre Couer. The skies were so gray that my pictures looked practically black and white.
Arriving at Sacre Couer from the back of the hilltop overlooking Montmartre and Paris
Main interior of Sacre Couer in Paris, France
Lit candles glow softly in front of a statue of Mary inside Sacre Couer atop Montmartre in Paris, France
It was a less than relaxed visit given the number of teenage schoolchildren swarming all over the entry to the massive church and clustered outside on the plaza in front of the main entry. Truly — I enjoyed the architecture (including the gargoyles and crisp domes) more than the ‘vibe’ of the place.
Come back in a day or two to read (and see!) the parts of Montmartre that I did REALLY enjoy!
Gargoyles along the top of Sacre Couer in the Montmartre district of Paris, France
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