Montmartre Church (Sacré Coeur) | Beau Bassin

Information

Landmark: Montmartre Church (Sacré Coeur)
City: Beau Bassin
Country: Mauritius
Continent: Africa

Montmartre Church (Sacré Coeur), Beau Bassin, Mauritius, Africa

The Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre is a Roman Catholic minor basilica located at the summit of the butte Montmartre in Paris, France. It stands as the highest point in the city, serving as both a religious monument and a prominent national landmark.

Visual Characteristics

The basilica is constructed from travertine stone quarried in Souppes-sur-Loing, which naturally bleaches with age and weather, maintaining a bright white appearance. It features a Romano-Byzantine architectural style with a large central dome reaching 83 meters in height and four smaller domes. The interior is decorated with one of the world's largest mosaics, the Christ in Glory, covering 475 square meters, and contains extensive stained-glass windows and a deep crypt.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is located at 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, approximately 4 kilometers north of the city center (Île de la Cité). Access from lower Montmartre is via the Funiculaire de Montmartre or by climbing 270 steps through Square Louise Michel. Public transport options include Metro Line 2 (Anvers station) and Line 12 (Abbesses station), or the "Montmartrobus" which circles the hill. Parking is extremely restricted in the narrow streets of the 18th arrondissement; the nearest commercial garages are located near Boulevard de Rochechouart.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The project was initiated by a group of influential laymen as a "national vow" following the French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. Construction began in 1875 under architect Paul Abadie, though several other architects supervised the project before its completion in 1914. It was officially consecrated in 1919 after the conclusion of World War I. The basilica is situated on a gypsum hill that has been used as a site of worship since Druidic and Roman times.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can enter the nave for silent prayer or to view the mosaics; photography is strictly prohibited inside. Climbing the 300 steps to the top of the dome provides a 360-degree panoramic view of Paris extending up to 30 kilometers on clear days. The crypt is also accessible to the public, housing various chapels and religious relics. Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has continued uninterrupted at the site since 1885.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The basilica includes a small shop for religious items and public restrooms located near the entrance to the dome. Shaded areas are provided by the surrounding gardens of Square Louise Michel and the narrow alleys of the Place du Tertre. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is strong throughout the exterior plazas. There are no food vendors inside the church, but the adjacent Place du Tertre is densely populated with cafes and restaurants.

Best Time to Visit

The exterior and dome are best photographed at sunrise to avoid the heavy crowds that typically arrive after 10:00. Clear evening lighting offers optimal visibility for the city panorama from the dome. The basilica is open daily from 06:30 to 22:30, with early morning hours being the most suitable for those seeking a quiet environment for contemplation.

Facts & Legends

The stone used for construction, Château-Landon (travertine), secretes a white substance called culatin when it rains, which acts as a self-cleaning agent to preserve the building's stark white color. A local legend identifies the site as the location of the martyrdom of Saint Denis, the first bishop of Paris, who reportedly carried his severed head to the summit before collapsing.