Built during a time of change, both for Paris and for Europe, the Basilique du Sacré Coeur was to be a place for the spirit in the middle of what was fast becoming one of the most intense cities in the world. The name signifies " mount of martyrs " because by tradition it is the place of the martyrdom of Saint Denis, the first bishop of Paris, and his companions. Before the Basilique was built a Benedictine Abbey occupied the site. This changed during the French Revolution, at which date the nuns were guillotined and the Abbey destroyed. In 1870 it was proposed to construct a church to the Sacred Heart on the butte Montmartre. Although originally the fund raising was to be drawn from conscripts, the National Assembly declared its construction to be a public affair.

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Of the 78 entries in the competition for its design, the one chosen was by the architect named Abadie. He was already well known for his restoration of the St-Front Cathedral in Périgueux. From in front of the Basilica, you can gain a fantastic panoramic view of almost all of the city of Paris. From the dome (at a height of 200 meters) one can see for almost 50 kms in every direction. It is the highest point in Paris after the Eiffel Tower. Completed in 1914, it was not consecrated until 1919 after World War I had ended. The final cost would come out to be more than 40 million francs. Since 1885, there has been a constant stream of worshipers coming to the site; The Basilique du Sacré Coeur is considered to be a place of pilgrimage.

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