Sacre-Coeur in Montmartre: opening hours, dome ticket and the way up

The Sacré-Cœur Basilica stands at the highest point in Paris, on the Montmartre hill. Entry is free, but between 10:30 and 17:00 you may wait in line for 10-15 minutes at the entrance (as of 09/2026, basilica official website).

Entry to the basilica itself is free. Climbing the dome, however, costs money and takes effort: 280 steps up a narrow staircase, no elevator. Many people come here specifically for the panoramic city view from 130 meters up.

Below: opening hours for the basilica, the dome ticket price, and the exact route from Anvers metro station to the entrance. Plus a tip on when crowds are smallest.

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Sacré-Cœur Basilica: the essentials

💡 In short:

• Entry to the basilica is free, open every day from 6:30 to 22:30.
• Dome: 280 steps, no elevator; adult ticket 8 €, child ticket 5 €, on-site only (as of 09/2026, dome ticket prices).
• Nearest metro station is Anvers (line 2). From there, walk uphill or take the RATP funicular.

Sacré-Cœur is open every day of the year. During mass, part of the nave is reserved for worshippers, and photography is not allowed in the nave. For people with reduced mobility, there is an elevator at the rear of the building at 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, open from 8:30 to 18:30 (as of 09/2026, elevator opening hours).

Construction history

© Terragio67 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Terragio67, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The idea for the Sacré-Cœur Basilica was first voiced on September 4, 1870, the day the Third Republic was proclaimed. Bishop Fournier linked France's defeat in the war with Prussia to divine punishment for the "moral decline" that followed the Revolution. Society was split: devout Catholics and royalists stood against democrats, socialists, and radicals.

The first uprising of the Paris Commune began right here on Montmartre. During the Commune, Archbishop Darboy was executed, and for the Catholic Church he became a martyr.

Darboy's successor spoke of a vision he had in October 1872. In the clouds above Montmartre, he heard that the Sacred Heart should reign here and become a beacon for the suffering.

In May 1873, Adolphe Thiers' government resigned. The Church called the country to spiritual renewal with the words "The hour of God has come." That same year, a decree of the National Assembly declared the construction an act of atonement for the sins of the Paris Commune.

Paul Abadie was chosen as the architect, beating out more than seventy rivals. The budget was seven million French francs, funded entirely by donations. Money was collected by every French parish, and each donor could lay a commemorative brick. A temporary chapel was consecrated in March 1876.

In 1880, there was an attempt to halt construction, with opponents calling the basilica "an unceasing provocation to civil war." Georges Clemenceau, the future prime minister, called the basilica a brand stamped on the Revolution.

Abadie died in 1884, having seen only the foundation laid. Five more architects continued the work. A new attempt to stop construction failed in 1897. By that point, the basilica had already been receiving worshippers for about six years.

The main work was completed by 1914, but then the war began. The church was consecrated only in 1919.

In 1971, demonstrators fleeing police took refuge in Sacré-Cœur. In their leaflets, they called it a church "built on the corpses of the Communards."

Architecture and the dome

The basilica was built from travertine quarried in the Château-Landon mines. This stone whitens in the rain. That is why the walls stay bright even in polluted city air, and the church is visible from many parts of Paris.

The style combines Roman-Byzantine features. This choice contrasts with the lavish neo-baroque of the Palais Garnier. In the gallery with three arches, you will see bronze statues of Joan of Arc and King Louis IX, cast by the sculptor Lefebvre.

The "Savoyarde" bell weighs nineteen tons. It was cast in Annecy to commemorate the annexation of Savoy by France in 1860. Next to the basilica there is a meditation garden with a fountain, and the top of the dome is open to visitors.

Interior

© Diego Delso · CC BY-SAPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The interior mirrors the Roman-Byzantine style of the exterior. Light and decorative details draw the eye toward the semicircular apse. The stained glass windows were destroyed by bombing in 1944 and replaced in 1946. Two elements complete the ensemble: the mosaic and the grand organ.

Upon entering, you will see a mosaic covering 475 square meters. It depicts the risen Christ in white robes with outstretched arms. Around him stand the Virgin Mary, Saint Michael, Joan of Arc holding a crown, and Pope Leo XIII. It is one of the largest mosaics in the world.

The basilica's grand organ is considered one of the finest in Europe. It is the last work of the master Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. In 1981, the French government designated the instrument a national monument.

Opening hours and tickets

The basilica is open year-round without exceptions, entry is free (as of 09/2026, opening hours). The dome is reached by 280 steps up a narrow staircase, and there is no elevator.

Dome tickets are sold only on-site, at the ticket office near the entrance, by the moat on the left (as of 09/2026, tickets and climbing rules). The climb is not suitable for people with reduced mobility, pregnant women, or those afraid of enclosed spaces. There are no toilets at the top.

The church remains an active Catholic place of worship, so follow a few simple rules. Dress modestly, speak quietly, and do not talk on the phone. Photography is not allowed in the nave, but outside you can take photos freely.

Location and how to get there

The basilica's address is 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris. The nearest metro station is Anvers on line 2, from which an uphill walk leads to the basilica. A second option is Abbesses on line 12, but the route from there is longer.

You can shorten the climb with the RATP funicular. It runs from Place Suzanne Valadon to the upper station near the basilica. Walking the whole way from the foot of the hill takes about 15 minutes via staircases and side streets.

By bus, routes 30, 31, 80, and 85 go to the Anvers Sacré-Cœur stop. The Montmartrobus, route 40, runs around the hill itself. Get off and walk up Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, past cafés and souvenir shops.

Sacré-Cœur Basilica on the map

Below is a map that makes it easy to plan your route from the metro to the entrance without wandering around the hill.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to enter the Sacré-Cœur Basilica?

The basilica is open to everyone free of charge. You only pay to climb the dome: 8 € for adults and 5 € for children under 15. Tickets are sold on-site, with no online sales. Groups of 20 or more pay 6 € per person (as of 09/2026, dome ticket prices).

When is Sacré-Cœur least crowded?

Lines are shortest early in the morning, before 10:30, and late in the evening, after 19:00. Between 10:30 and 17:00 a crowd builds up at the entrance, and you may wait 10-15 minutes (as of 09/2026, visiting conditions). On Sunday mornings, the service gets in the way, with part of the nave occupied by worshippers.

Can you climb the basilica's dome?

Yes, the dome is open daily from 10:30 to 20:45, with the last entry at 20:15. The climb is 280 steps up a narrow spiral staircase, with no elevator. The climb is not recommended for elderly people, pregnant women, or those afraid of tight spaces. From the top, you get a 360-degree panorama of Paris.

How do I get to Sacré-Cœur by metro?

The nearest station is Anvers on line 2, then walk uphill or take the RATP funicular from Place Suzanne Valadon. Abbesses station on line 12 is also nearby, but the metro exit is deep and the route is longer. From the foot of the hill, it is about a 15-minute walk.

Can you take photos inside the basilica?

Photography is not allowed in the nave, so as not to disturb prayer. Outside and on the dome platform, take as many photos as you like. Professional shoots and filming require prior permission from the basilica's press office.

In short: what to book

Sacré-Cœur does not sell entry tickets: the basilica is free, and the dome is paid for on-site. So the only things worth booking in advance are a tour of Montmartre or a transfer. If you are short on time, take a morning slot before 10:30. If you are traveling with children, start with the basilica and leave the dome climb for later. For a first trip to Paris, a group walking tour with a guide that covers both the dome and the streets of Montmartre is the most convenient option: book a tour on GetYourGuide.