Sacré-Cœur facts at a glance
The Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre stands in the 18th arrondissement on the Butte Montmartre, at roughly 130 m above sea level. That is the height of the hill, not of the building. It is a Catholic place of prayer and pilgrimage with perpetual eucharistic adoration, and a church you can enter for free.
Some numbers about the basilica vary slightly depending on how they are measured. This page gives the ranges where they differ. If you want the stories behind the numbers, read the history and the architecture pages.
Sacré-Cœur in numbers
Figures with their ranges.
| Fact | Figure | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Location | 18th arrondissement, Butte Montmartre | About 130 m above sea level. |
| Building height | About 83 m | An approximate figure for the building, not the height of the viewing gallery above ground. |
| Length and width | About 85 m by 35 m | Approximate figures. |
| Domes | One central dome and four smaller ones | Romano-Byzantine design. |
| Dome climb | Around 300 or 280 steps | Counts range from 280 to 300. There is no lift. |
| View from the dome | 360 degrees | No guarantee of clear weather. |
| Apse mosaic | 475 m² | Some counts reach about 480 m². |
| The Savoyarde bell | Around 19 tonnes | Figures run from 18 to 19.6 tonnes. |
| Great organ | Built 1898 | By Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, under restoration until the end of May 2027. |
| Outdoor steps to the basilica | Around 220 | Counts range from 220 to 222. They are not the dome stairs. |
For most readers: use the hill height for orientation, the dome figures if you plan to climb, and treat the weights and sizes as close approximations.
Our pick: the facts from the dome
The dome tour starts with an introduction to the basilica and its history.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours that show you the numbers in person
Guided walks around Montmartre and the basilica. Entry to the church is free, and the dome is ticketed separately.
The stone and the bell
The basilica is built of a hard, fine-grained limestone from Souppes-sur-Loing, known as Château-Landon stone. It is not marble. The stone turns whiter in the rain, while sheltered spots can stay darker.
The bell is called La Savoyarde. Its weight is around 19 tonnes, and measures range from 18 to 19.6 tonnes. The bell tower itself was completed in 1914. Do not confuse the tower with the dome or its viewing gallery, which are different parts of the building.
Key dates
From the vow to the protection order.
1870 to 1875
The vow is first written down on 8 December 1870 and rewritten in January 1871. A law of 24 July 1873 declares the church of public utility. Paul Abadie wins the competition in 1874, and the foundation stone is laid in 1875.
1885 to 1919
Adoration begins on 1 August 1885. Services start in 1891. The planned consecration of 1914 is postponed by war and takes place on 16 October 1919.
1923 to 2022
The mosaic is inaugurated in 1923. The windows are destroyed in April 1944 and renewed from 1946 to 1977. The monument is inscribed in December 2020 and classified by decree on 13 December 2022.
Dome and visit numbers
The figures you need for planning.
Hours
The basilica is open daily from 06:30 to 22:30. The dome is open 10:15 to 17:30 with last entry at 17:00. See opening hours.
Dome prices 2026
€8 from age 16, €5 up to age 15, €6 per person for groups of 20 or more and €4 per person for children's groups of 20 or more. The dome page has the full climb.
Mass times
Four on most days, five on Friday and three on Saturday. The schedule is on the hours page.
The cathedral on the Île de la Cité has its own set of numbers, covered in the Notre-Dame history guide.
Facts for visitors
The practical side of the numbers.
Entry is free
The basilica needs no ticket and no reservation. Only the dome is ticketed, and you buy that on site. See tickets for the full picture.
A working church
Prayer goes on day and night, and Masses run on a fixed schedule. Visitors are asked to dress appropriately and keep quiet.
Access
A rear entrance at 35 rue du Chevalier de la Barre has a lift to the basilica. The dome has no lift. The crypt can be seen only on a guided route in French at 16:00 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, and not in July and August.
Sacré-Cœur facts: frequently asked questions
How tall is Sacré-Cœur?
The building is about 83 m tall. The hill beneath it stands about 130 m above sea level, which is a different measure.
How many steps are there to the dome?
Counts range from 280 to 300 steps, with no lift. The roughly 220 outdoor steps to the basilica are a separate set.
What is Sacré-Cœur built of?
Hard limestone from Souppes-sur-Loing, known as Château-Landon stone. It is not marble.
How heavy is the Savoyarde bell?
Around 19 tonnes, and measures range from 18 to 19.6 tonnes.
When was Sacré-Cœur consecrated?
On 16 October 1919. The consecration planned for 1914 was postponed by war.
Is Sacré-Cœur the highest point in Paris?
The Butte Montmartre is among the high points of the city, at about 130 m above sea level. The basilica is best described as a landmark on top of that hill, not as the highest built point of Paris.