Basilique Du Sacré-Coeur

It’s been many years since I visited the Sacre-Coeur, but I remember the wonderful views and many steps! At that time, the vendors only sold postcards and small items like wallets and purses – I would have been freaked out if someone had approached me and taken hold of my finger (as happened to one of the posters below!).

Wow…I almost didn’t walk into this place because my feet hurt so much, but I’m quite thankful that my french teacher told me to go see the inside of the place. It has huge, round windows on the side that just glow with sunlight; it’s all so beautiful, the place took my breath away—and I’m not even into architecture. If you’re in Paris, you’ve got to see the Sacre Coeur. This was a memory I’ll never forget.

After climbing all the stairs, you need, what else? Food. I’d recommend finding a little restaurant across the way to serve you up some clams over pasta, we ate steamed clams several places in Paris and they were always great. Have I ever eaten clams at home? NO - but they looked and yes, unbelievably, smelled great there. After you have revived, wander up the side streets, we found a great fabric market where we purchased gorgeous silk designed material that I am certain I would find nowhere in the states.

...and the lawns are a great place to sit with a picnic and enjoy the view of the rooftops of Paris.

This church is truly a spiritual place. I was moved to tears just being inside of it (and I’ve NEVER been moved to tears in any other holy place!).

A website explains that Montmartre (where the Sacred Heart is located) is the “revered scene where the first martyrs of Paris met their death, and site of a famous abby of Benedictine nuns, visited by Saint Bernard, Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Ignatius Loyola, Saint Francis Xavier, Berulle (found of the Oratorians) and Olier.”

It doesn’t say they were on this site, but I feel that this church holds their spirits (among others).

Whether your going up or down, there are peddlers and vendors who know you’re a tourist. If you stop to listen to them, they will NOT leave you alone.

We were leaving Sacre-Coeur and a guy (from Africa, he says), grabbed my husband’s finger very kindly and started braiding a bracelet. I thought, ‘oh, how nice, a token for our honeymoon.’ Another guy (also from Africa) grabs my finger and starts doing the same thing. They were very nice, congratulated us on our marriage, wished us the best, etc.

Then they said “10-10”, and I thought, 10 euro for both? Well, that’s a bit much, but hey, whatever. Then they reiterated 10 EURO FOR EACH – can you believe that? We didn’t even ask for the damn pieces of string!

I lied and said I had no euro and gave them a $20 bill, which I knew was about 13.50 euros. Then one of them had the nerve to ask for the change in my hand “for a cup of coffee”. WTF?! I just GAVE you a $20 bill! Coffee is expensive there, but I’m sure 13 euros would cover it.

Peddlers in Paris have no sense of value – they will ask for an outrageous amount and won’t really barter down for it.

So, I thought I would warn anyone who visits. Our cousin had been here and hadn’t bothered to warn us about these people; that they even followed her all the way to the Moulin Rouge! I think we should ask her for $20…

PS. Sacre-Coeur and it’s hill is gorgeous; stay up there as long as possible before dodging the “vendors” at the bottom.

This, for me, was the most beautiful place in Paris, and it has a great history. Do NOT let the street vendors stop you on your way up to the Basilique, though. They won’t let you go if you stop to listen.

You must visit this one if you go to Paris, I really loved it: the sights, the religious ambience, the breath-taking architecture and so on, and so on.

The Sacré-Coeur is like a pearl.

1) don’t feel ashamed to ride the funiculare! you can alwyas walk back down.
2) watch out for the guys with the strings at the base of the hill, they will try to get you to hold out your hand and will tie a string on it and will not take it off until you pay up… i got around them easily by saying… “non non non – je suis francais!” and then laughing. they will probably yell to have a nice day…
3) this is my very favorite place in the whole city. it’s a total tourist trap, but it’s so beautiful!!!