Sacré-Cœur

Even though Paris is one of the most visited cities in Europe, it is still possible to feel like you have the place to yourself...that is if you don’t mind setting an alarm. Want beautiful tourist free photos of Paris sites like Sacre Coeur - then get up with the sun. I rode the subway to the Montmartre neighborhood as the sun was barely rising. I walked up the hill virtually alone as the sky started to turn golden and suddenly I was at the top all alone, with my beautiful view of Sacre Coeur. I spent the next 3 hours wandering around the Montnartre neighborhood and watched it wake up, yawn, and wipe the sleep out of its eyes. The artists set up their easels, restaurants set out tables, and the streets were deserted. I felt like I saw a very private side of Paris that morning and was able to photograph it in its solitary moment.

The highest point in Paris is the Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement. Still higher is the Sacre Coeur basilica, which can be seen from all over the city. Other than its nightlife - clubs, bar, the Moulin Rouge and the nearby Pigalle (pig alley) - the area was also popular with artists who lived and had studios here. Some of the better known were Salvador Dalí, Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh. In the Place du Tertre you will find contemporary art as the many artists cover the entire square trying to sell their works or even tempting tourists into a chair for a portrait.

Montmartre is the highest point in Paris. The streets are busy and the views of the city are amazing. High up on the hill the striking basilica of Sacre Coeur (1875) stands in majestic splendor. To get to the basilica, there are many steps to climb (or take the funicular) and then then you are rewarded with the views of Paris, and the impressive church. The basilica is vast and imposing. You may not take photos, but I was really tempted! Some of the columns, altars, and windows are very beautiful. Out in the Place du Tertre, walk among the budding artists who gather there and paint. You can have a portrait done if you wish. Great souvenir. Down the street you can see the Moulin Galette and the Moulin Rouge. There are many little bistros where you can stop for a cool drink (or hot coffee if it’s Winter) or lunch and spend some time engaging in some serious people-watching. I enjoy this district and like to spend time there. Montmartre should be on your list of attractions for Paris. Don’t miss this one. For info: sacre-coeur-montmartre.com www.whatparis.com/sacre-coeur.html

This basilica is up on the hall of Montmarte and can be seen from all over the city (unless a tree or building is in the way) and it looks even more spectacular at night, all lit up.

In front of the basilica even late at night the place is jumping with hundreds of people enjoying themselves, especially when the weather is nice. The night I was there, Indians (from India) were walking around selling 2 euro bottles of Heineken and Africans and South Americans were jamming together, playing reggae. Around the side however was this solitary accordion player squeezing out his haunting tunes.

It’s certainly pickpocket country around here, but it doesn’t make it any less picturesque. The cobbled, hilly backstreets of Montmartre are a great place for a stroll after you visit Sacre Coeur.

The white castle in the sky

My check list when traveling to a new city: 1. Taste from the local markets. 2. See the “must see” sights 3. Eat the traditional cuisine. 4. Go to the highest point. Only having four days in Paris, this is the check list I accomplished. 4. Go to the highest point. This is Basilica del Sacro Cuore just above The Dali Museum, Moulin Rouge, and dozen of other attractions. Paying the small price to get to take the journey up small passage ways to the 360-degree view of Paris was nothing. Every shot was gorgeous but nothing as incredible as the Tower Eiffel would have had the impact this photograph does. It inspired me to feel on top of the world.

My check list when traveling to a new city: 1. Taste from the local markets. 2. See the “must see” sights 3. Eat the traditional cuisine. 4. Go to the highest point. Only having four days in Paris, this is the check list I accomplished. 4. Go to the highest point. This is Basilica del Sacro Cuore just above The Dali Museum, Moulin Rouge, and dozen of other attractions. Paying the small price to get to take the journey up small passage ways to the 360-degree view of Paris was nothing. Every shot was gorgeous but nothing as incredible as the Tower Eiffel would have had the impact this photograph does. It inspired me to feel on top of the world.

This very colorfully attired woman was playing the accordion and matching the nearby flowers. Right near the foot Sacre Coeur on Montmartre

Stayed at a lovely apartment (found via Airbnb) in Montmartre on my first trip to Paris. 5 days wasn’t nearly long enough! This is outside Sacre Coeur, the gorgeous cathedral on a hill looking over Montmartre and all of Paris. Tired from my flight (from southern Africa), I trudged up the countless steps to see the view prior to tucking into a baguette, then bed. I heard this gentleman’s beautiful classical music before I could see its source. He happily played tune after tune of recognizable songs as tourists walked by, focused on the destination. His unhurried melodies ushered me into the Parisian custom of taking time to savor beauty and the little things in life.

On a hill overloooking the beautiful city of Paris, people gather both locals and tourists waiting for the sun to set. All of a sudden, a random guy pulls out his guitar and started playing and singing songs, before you know it the whole crowd started singing. It doesn’t matter what nationality you were or what language you speak everyone was having a great time. This was one of my most memorable experience from my travels. It was both powerful and moving.

There is no doubt that the Sacre Coeur in Montmartre, Paris, France is one of the first must-see parts of Paris. But what makes it even more memorable are the incredible and unsuspecting street performers which shuffle in at various hours of the day performing incredible stunts. Tourists and locals cover the steps leading up to the beautiful white Basilique to chat, drink, eat or just absorb the breathtaking view of Paris on this hilltop. The man in the photo was a street performer who did unbelievable stunts every hour with a soccer ball, the grand finale climbing a 30-foot lamp post to the top while kicking the ball up with him. It was a beautiful view actually, with the early sunset across Paris as the backdrop to his performance. I have never seen anything like it before. He deserved that standing ovation.

As one of the most visited cities in the world, Paris is full of both tourists and locals enjoying the beauty and attractions of the city. Although sites like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre are visited by thousands daily, lesser known areas are also flooded with hundreds of people at a time, which can easily change the mood when trying to enjoy an intimate setting. When I first saw the beautiful church called Basilica of the Sacré Cœur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris) in the 18th arrondissement, also known as Montmartre, it was crowded with many “tourists” (myself included). I knew the only way to enjoy it was to revisit early the next morning before the sunrise. The streets were completely clear during the pre-dawn walk up the steep hills of Montmartre, on my way to the church. As selfish as it sounds, I felt as if I owned the streets during that walk, and I enjoyed every moment of it. Upon arriving at the church I was relieved to see no more than 10 other people there, which was completely different from the experience the day before. I sat at the foot of the steps and watched the sunrise with the city of Paris as a nice backdrop. A great way to begin the day.

This place is a great one to go to if you are going to want a nice view of Paris or even a gorgeous view of a church. It isn’t Notre Dame, but the Basilique du Sacre Coeur is gorgeous in all rights. However, there’s a nice little shopping area beside it and I would highly suggest surviving the wonderful artists corner for the ice cream store back there. They have various flavors of ice cream that will cool you off for a wonderful sunset over the Parisian city and prepare you for a wonderful night out. Watch the Eiffel Tower light up as you light up with this wonderful ice cream!

Take your time when you are in Paris to wonder around the different districts in the City, each one more charming than the other. Sacre Coeur is a church not to be missed, take the walking tours, stay for mass, then walk around the gardens, take in the views , sip on a café and repeat, Paris is a city you will want to visit again and again.

Worth braving the swarms of tourists, the view from out in front of the Sacre Coeur is gorgeous, especially when the light cooperates, as it did here.

Sitting on the highest point in Paris with its unmistakable white dome you’ll find the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, the signature of the city’s bohemian village, Montmartre. The basilica was erected to punish this pugnacious Parisian enclave for its excesses and to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Views of the basilica’s white domes can be seen from the most picturesque vantage points. I absolutely love this slither-of-a-view of the church from one of Montmartre’s many alleys.

Not if but when you visit Sacre Couer, you should stop and have an artist sketch you. Their skill level is very good. You should wander around the markets that are at the base of Sacre Couer. Then tour Sacre Couer and look for the man who feeds the birds on the steps in front of the Basilique, if he is still there. Great place to vist!

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, usually regarded as the Sacre-Coeur Basilica, is a Roman Catholic God’s house and minor basilica, committed to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Paris, France. A famous milestone, the basilica is placed at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the most astounding focus in the city. The Sacre-Coeur is a twofold landmark, political and social, both a national repentance for the assumed overabundances of the Second Empire, and communist Paris Commune of 1871

I had heard about the spectacular views from the top and also the charming area surrounding it, so it was first on my list to visit today. After a walk through the church itself, I paid the 8 euro fee to climb to the dome. It was advertised as being 300 steps to the top, and I figured that it wouldn’t be too difficult. What I forgot to factor in was my paralyzing fear of heights. About a quarter of the way up the spiral staircase I started to feel the beginning of a panic attack coming on. I started to go back the way I came, but quickly realized that there was no way to do this as there is a staircase that leads up and another that is intended for exiting the dome– each staircase is too narrow to allow both at the same time. Fortunately I encountered a few Americans who helped me out by reassuring me that I would be okay, and one woman had been counting the steps so she kept me posted on how far along we were. When we reached the top I could see that it had been worth it, as the views were absolutely stunning. I counted the steps on the way down, and having that to focus on thankfully allowed me to make it through. Definitely an experience that both challenged and rewarded me!