The Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur is the white-domed church on top of Montmartre, the highest hill in Paris, with one of the city’s great free views from its steps. Entry is free and it opens every day of the year, 6:30–22:30. Climbing the dome, nearly 300 steps with no lift, costs €8 for adults and €5 for children up to 15 (as of October 2026), paid on site with no booking. Come early in the morning or near sunset, and allow 45 minutes for the basilica and another 45 for the dome.
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Tickets and tours for Sacré-Cœur
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Why the Sacré-Cœur matters
The basilica began as a “National Vow” made after France’s defeat in the war of 1870–71. In July 1873 the National Assembly declared its construction of public utility, and in 1874 the architect Paul Abadie won the design competition with a Romano-Byzantine church in the shape of a Greek cross, its axis turned north–south so that it faces the city. The first stone was laid in 1875. The church was inaugurated in 1891, still without its great dome; in 1895 Savoy gave it the “Savoyarde”, a 19-tonne bell cast in Annecy, and the bell tower was finished in 1912. The First World War delayed the consecration until 16 October 1919. The basilica was listed as a historic monument in 2022.
It is above all a working shrine. Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament has continued day and night without a break since 1 August 1885, and at least four Masses are said every day, five on Fridays. Benedictine sisters live here and sing the daily offices.
What you’ll see
- The view from the steps: all of Paris laid out below the forecourt, free and open until late, with buskers on the terraces at sunset.
- The apse mosaic: the huge golden mosaic of Christ with open arms that fills the vault above the choir as you walk in.
- The chapels and ambulatory: mosaics, candles and a free audio tour you start by scanning a QR code at the entrance.
- The dome: a narrow spiral climb past the roofs to a 360-degree panorama, one of the highest viewpoints in the city.
The great organ is being restored until the end of May 2027; the choir organ plays for services in the meantime.
Hours, dome tickets and rules
From the basilica’s official website, as of October 2026:
- Basilica: free for everyone, open every day 6:30–22:30. It stays open later for the Easter Vigil, some prayer vigils and the Holy Hour on the first Thursday of the month. Between 10:30 and 17:00 you may wait 10 to 15 minutes to get in.
- Dome: daily 10:30–19:30, last admission 19:00, closed for a break around midday. Hours vary with the season and the weather, and the dome can close for maintenance, so check the website the day before.
- Dome prices: €8 adults (16 and over), €5 children up to 15. Tickets are sold only at the dome ticket office (window and machine); no booking is needed.
- Finding the dome entrance: it is outside the basilica, after the security check. Go down the steps into the moat on your left; the ticket office is 20 metres to the right. There are no toilets on the dome route.
- Dress and behaviour: dress respectfully, keep quiet, no phone calls, and keep clear of the prayer area at the front of the nave. Photos are not allowed in the nave or during services, but you can take them in the side aisles and ambulatory.
- Security: there is a security check at the entrance, so travel light and leave big bags at your hotel.
When to go
Early morning is the quietest time inside and on the steps; sunset is the most beautiful and the busiest. Midday to late afternoon brings the longest queue. Expect extra crowds from 30 October to 1 November 2026, when the relics of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux are received at the basilica. On the hill, be wary of pickpockets and of anyone offering to tie a “free” bracelet on your wrist.
Accessibility
A lift for visitors with disabilities or reduced mobility is at the back of the basilica, at 35 rue du Chevalier-de-la-Barre, open 8:30–18:30. The funicular up the hill avoids the stairs. The dome has no lift and its narrow staircase is not recommended for people with limited mobility, pregnant women, very young children or anyone uneasy in confined spaces.
Getting there
Take metro line 2 to Anvers and walk about 200 metres up to Place Suzanne-Valadon, where the Montmartre funicular climbs to the basilica in under two minutes for the price of a standard €2.55 metro ticket. The alternative is the 222 steps of rue Foyatier beside it, or the gardens below the basilica. From Abbesses (line 12) you can wind up through the village lanes instead.
Combine it with
Spend the rest of the morning in Montmartre: Place du Tertre and its painters, the vineyard and the quieter lanes behind them. Back in the centre, the top floor of the Musée d’Orsay frames the Sacré-Cœur through its giant clock, and the roof of the Arc de Triomphe gives the reverse view across the city. For walking routes and neighbourhood tips, see our Paris travel guide and our city sightseeing guide.
Sacré-Cœur FAQ
Is the Sacré-Cœur free to visit?
Yes. The basilica is free and open every day from 6:30 to 22:30. Only the dome climb is paid: €8 for adults and €5 for children up to 15.
Do I need to book the Sacré-Cœur dome?
No. Dome tickets are sold only on site, at the ticket office in the moat beside the basilica. If there is a queue, visit the church first and come back.
How many steps are there to the top of the Sacré-Cœur dome?
Close to 300 (the basilica gives 280 for the narrow staircase), with no lift. Last admission is at 19:00.
Can I take photos inside the Sacré-Cœur?
Not in the nave or during services. Photos are allowed in the side aisles and the ambulatory.
What is the easiest way up to the Sacré-Cœur?
Metro line 2 to Anvers, then the Montmartre funicular, which takes a normal metro ticket. Visitors with reduced mobility can use the lift at the back of the basilica.
When is the best time to visit the Sacré-Cœur?
Early morning for a calm visit, or sunset for the view over Paris. The longest waits are between 10:30 and 17:00.