Sacre-Coeur: Tickets and Tours
The Sacre Coeur is a Roman Catholic church built on the highest point of Paris, the Butte Montmartre. It is also known as the Basilica of the Sacre Coeur or the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris.After 39 years of construction from 1875 to 1914, the church was officially inaugurated in 1919 at the end of WWI. Today, the Sacre Coeur is one of the most visited landmarks in Paris. Get your Sacre Coeur tickets and see this monument for yourself. This is your ultimate guide to Sacre Coeur, one of the most stunning attractions in Paris.
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The Sacre Coeur is a Roman Catholic church built on the highest point of Paris, the Butte Montmartre. It is also known as the Basilica of the Sacre Coeur or the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris.
After 39 years of construction from 1875 to 1914, the church was officially inaugurated in 1919 at the end of WWI. Today, the Sacre Coeur is one of the most visited landmarks in Paris. Get your Sacre Coeur tickets and see this monument for yourself.
This is your ultimate guide to Sacre Coeur, one of the most stunning attractions in Paris.
What is the price of Sacre Coeur tickets?
There is no need to book tickets for the Sacre Coeur. The entry is free of charge, however, you can purchase tickets to the tower and crypt of the Sacre Coeur Basilica for a small ticket price. Visitors are able to buy the Sacre Coeur tower and crypt tickets on arrival at the ticket counter.
Sacre Coeur ticket for access to the towers:
- Adults (17 and above): €6
- Children (4 to 16): €4
Sacre Coeur ticket for access to crypt:
- Adults (17 and above): €3
- Children (4 to 16): €2
Combo ticket to Sacre Coeur towers and crypt:
- Adults (17 and above): €8
- Children (4 to 16): €5
Which tours can you take to Sacre Coeur?
There are many different Sacre Coeur tours available and most of them are combined with other nearby attractions. You can either join a guided tour with a group of people, book a private visit just for you and your family, or even select a special child-friendly visit.
Guided tour to Sacre Coeur plus Montmartre
Enjoy a walk through the Montmartre area and visit the Sacre Coeur with an expert tour guide. Do you like independent sightseeing? Then the audio-guided tour will be an excellent choice. Download the audio-guide app and do the tour at your own speed.
Is it possible to visit Sacre Coeur for free?
You can visit the Sacre Coeur for free without having to pay an entrance fee. Visitors only have to purchase tickets if they want to climb to the top of the Sacre Coeur towers or visit the crypt.
Should you purchase Sacre Coeur tickets in advance?
While it is not possible to buy tickets for the Sacre Coeur towers or crypt online in advance, you can join a guided tour to secure your spot on a busy day. However, the majority of tourists only choose to visit the church and the towers or the crypt that are never as crowded as the Basilica itself.
If you avoid popular visiting hours or weekends, there is no need to book Sacre Coeur tickets in advance. Even if there is a line to purchase tickets, it usually moves quickly.
What will you see inside Sacre Coeur?
When visiting the Sacre Coeur, you can admire the massive mosaic on the ceiling above the altar. With a size of almost 500 square meters, it is considered one of the largest in the world and a true masterpiece. The mosaic depicts a picture of Jesus with his arms open, overlooking the church.
You can also marvel at the organ of the Sacre Coeur, which is without a doubt one of the most exceptional organs in all of Europe. Furthermore, the Savoyarde Bell in the belltower is, with its 19 tons of weight, the heaviest swinging bell in the world.
Combined, these three attractions inside the Sacre Coeur make it one of the most notable churches in the city and a fascinating place to visit as part of a guided tour.
If you choose to pay the entrance fee, the strenuous 300-step climb up the Sacre Coeur tower is rewarded by panoramic views of the city of Paris. Keep an eye out for the Eiffel Tower and be amazed by the breathtaking vistas.
The crypt of the Sacre Coeur is well worth the additional entrance fee. This mystical place is home to holy relics, intricately carved statues and the final resting places of notable religious figures. Make sure to be respectful when visiting.
How do you reach Sacre Coeur?
You can easily reach Sacre Coeur by metro. Unfortunately, no train goes directly up the hill though, and you have to exit the Metro Line 2 at Anvers Station or Metro Line 12 at Abbesses Station, which is located at the foot of Montmartre Hill.
You have to walk a few steps to the stairs either leading up the hill or the funicular station. If you previously purchased a metro day ticket, you can use the funicular for free and save yourself the walk.
You can also take the electric bus departing at Pigalle Station, not far from either Anvers or Abbesses Station. The bus will take you up to Place du Tertre Station from where it is only a few meters to the Sacre Coeur.
When is the best time to see Sacre Coeur?
The Sacre Coeur Basilica is open daily from 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM. The visiting hours for the Sacre Coeur tower and crypt might differ depending on the time of the year.
To avoid crowds, you should visit the Sacre Coeur early in the morning and on weekdays. Try to avoid public holidays, as well as weekends since queues to get into Sacre Coeur can be long, especially during midday.
If you are arriving by train, keep an eye out for peak travel times such as around 8 AM and 5 PM during the week. Trains in Paris can become very crowded and the ride might be uncomfortable.
Also, consider mass times when planning your visit to the Sacre Coeur. These can be found on the official website, but tend to be 7 AM, 11 AM, 6 PM and 10 PM. On Fridays, there is also a mass at 3 PM.
Visitors can still come to the Basilica during these times, but it will be considerably more crowded and parts might be inaccessible. Make sure to check if mass takes place at different times on public holidays or during religious events.
Tips for visiting Sacre Coeur
- To have the best experience possible at the Sacre Coeur, you should come early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
- Be patient if there is a long queue in front of the Sacre Coeur tower and crypt ticket counter. It will most likely go quicker than you might expect.
- Dress appropriately when visiting religious sites like the Sacre Coeur Basilica or crypt. Cover your shoulders and avoid very short shorts or dresses during the summer. Remove your hat when inside the church. While these rules will not be enforced consistently, it is important to be respectful.
- If you are interested, you can visit the Sacre Coeur during mass times. This is not so much suitable for tourists, but rather for actively practizing Christians who wish to take part in a service. Visitors are welcome as long as they are respectful.