When the Prussian army defeated the French army in 1870, the French citizens back then were left in tears crying over the loss of war, the pain, and the humiliation it went through.
So Alexandre Legentil, a faithful Catholic made a vow to God. He went ahead and decided to do one thing. He built a basilica to restore faith in the people so they could rise again. At first, the cathedral was to protect its people and as a place for their sins of war to be freed.
And Sacré Coeur was declared public for its construction. It is located at the summit of Montmartre. After 2 centuries went by, Sacré Coeur is still standing strong, being one of the most visited cathedrals in all of France. It was named as a dedication to the sacred heart of Jesus Christ and his love for mankind.
Read on to discover the best way to visit Sacré Coeur in Paris, France. I also went ahead to mention the most common scams that are likely to happen this way so you can get rid of them.
2 Most Common Scams Around Sacré Coeur and How to Avoid Them
I know it’s a little off to put the scams on top of the list. But I can’t wait to give you a heads-up before anything else. Paris is overall a safe place to visit, but it’s also a prime target for con-artists preying on tourists, especially when along the steps leading up to the basilica.
The String Men Scam
One of the most common groups of scammers goes by the name “string men”. When tourists enter the small fenced square below Sacré-Coeur heading toward the stairs to the hillside, a man will pop up from nowhere, grabbing their wrists and putting on a so-called “lucky bracelet” which is claimed to be homemade. And as it goes, he ends up demanding payment for the bracelet.
In another case, some men appear to be more polite. Instead of vigorously wearing a string on you, they will ask if you like it before they start braiding the bracelet on your wrist.
How can you avoid the “string man” scam? Keep your hands close to yours, maybe in the pockets, or keep them inside your jacket and politely say “Non, merci” if they approach. Don’t bother stopping to deal with them. Keep your head straight and keep on walking.
The “Sign This Petition” Scam
The second most common scam you’re likely to run into is the “Sign This Petition” Scam. These people will appear in a group and will encircle you. One of them acts as a decoy. He or she will stand in front of you and keep talking about the petition while some others are behind robbing you.
So how do you deal with it? Once again, don’t stop, don’t sign the paper, don’t run away, keep calm, and slowly walk away.
How Do You Get to Sacré Coeur? A Walking Itinerary
The Central Artist Square at Place du Tertre
Sitting at the very heart of Paris’s 18th arrondissement, Montmartre is the bustling core of Place du Tertre. The tranquil yet hippie part of town is home to painters, cafes, and a typical French ambiance that’s worth a stroll.
The artists lining up the pavements and sketching tourists’ portraits make it a lot more fun to look at. Morning is the most serene time of the day. And as it goes towards afternoon around 2 pm, Place du Tertre officially comes alive.
Saint Pierre de Montmartre – One of the Oldest Surviving Churches in Paris
Right from the square, Saint Pierre de Montmartre is only a one-minute walk away. I came across this beautiful piece of art while I was on the way heading to Sacré Coeur. Little did I know that the mutual ground connecting the two churches was so expansive and that Saint Pierre de Montmartre popped out in the most attractive way that I had to stop by for a look.
Saint Pierre goes back to 1400. It is indeed a work of art and history all at once. The majestic Saint Pierre de Montmartre is such a joyful place to be at. The thought of going up the hill Clichy, beating the ancient pavements seems as if it transports you back to more than a thousand years ago. Even the black metal doors are filled with old carvings, depicting historical stories that soon hypnotized me with their mystic events.
Basilique du Sacré-Cœur – Sacred Heart of Montmartre
Now comes the main character of the trip. Basilique du Sacré-cœur is perched on top of a breezy hill, designed by Paul Abadi with a distinctive and awe-inspiring Romano-Byzantine style.
One of the most impressive things about the construction is a set of white stones that were used for the Arc de Triomphe and the Alexandre III bridge in Paris. There is one thing you must notice about this material: it is resistant to harsh weather and that’s why water and humidity cannot ruin the texture of the stones.
When it rains, the stones release a substance called “calcite”. This substance will automatically clean the stones, leaving the shiny whiteness intact.
Entrance visit to Basilique du Sacré-cœur is complimentary. Even though the architecture of the cathedral is a work of art on its own, don’t forget to check out the view from the top of the dome!
When the air is crisp, the vista seems to run for miles, facing the western districts with the green thoroughfare of Boulevard de Courcelles and Parc Monceau to the left. Other than that, you can also see La Défense, the Eiffel Tower, the Montparnasse Tower, and the Panthéon.
Friendly reminder: no photography is allowed inside.
Au Marché de la Butte – The Green Instagrammable Grocery Store Featured in Amélie
If you don’t want to walk down the hill, you can take the funicular for free to go down to the bottom of the hill in less than five minutes. This way will also help you avoid the “string men” scam that I mentioned above.
There is one place that I really love you to see: the Au marché Montmartre grocery store that was featured in the 2001 love comedy Amélie. I followed a smaller path next to the funicular station to the residential neighborhood searching for this cute little gem.
The world-famous Insta-worthy store is like a pop-up store soaked in dark moss green. On the outside, they sell everything from fruits, vegetables, and creamery products to frozen goodies.
The picture below showed a lovely daily image of a local in her red dress, sitting on the stairs and writing a note. I captured this picture while on my way to exploring the residential neighborhood.
And here comes a colorful carousel I found near the exit of Métro Abbesses onto Place des Abbesses. It has a canopy painted with children’s faces.
Wall of love – Mur des Je t’aime
Last but not least, this town-famous wall of love is another rare find. The existence of the big blue wall is simply to preserve the purest form of love – written in the most romantic phrase in many languages. The idea was implemented by calligrapher Federico Baron and fresco artist Claire Quito in 2000. The record has it that the phrase “I Love You” is mentioned roughly over 300 times in hundreds of languages.
More about France
Looking for more travel ideas for an authentic and hassle-free experience in France? Check out my articles below:
- Lyon Travel Guide: How to Spend a Day in Lyon, Attractions, Bouchons, and More
- Is Reims Worth Visiting? A Day Trip from Paris to G.H.Mumm, Cathédrale Notre-Dame, and Eugène Mercier
- Is Fontainebleau Worth Visiting? Day Trip from Paris, Free Admissions, Must-See, and More
- A Day Trip to Arles from Avignon: Follow Van Gogh’s Trail of Art