What you see inside Sacré-Cœur
The nave leads the eye straight to the apse, where a huge mosaic shows the risen Christ in white with open arms and a golden heart. It was inaugurated in 1923 and covers 475 m². Entry to the church is free, and you can walk in during opening hours without a ticket. The Gothic interior of Notre-Dame looks very different, if you want to compare two Paris churches.
The crypt is not an open space. You see it on a guided faith route at fixed times, described below. The great organ is under restoration, so do not plan a visit around hearing it. For times, Masses and quiet rules, see opening hours.
The apse mosaic
The centerpiece of the interior.
The image
Christ stands in white with arms wide, and a golden heart is visible on his chest. The figure fills the curve of the apse above the altar and is easiest to read from the middle of the nave.
Who made it
The design is credited to Luc-Olivier Merson, with H. M. Magne and R. Martin.
How big
The surface measures about 475 m², and some counts reach about 480 m². It is large enough to read from the back of the nave.
Our pick: inside with a guide
This guided visit takes you into the basilica and explains the apse mosaic.
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.
Guided visits to the basilica and Montmartre
Walks that include the basilica and the hill around it. Entry to the church is free, and the dome is ticketed separately.
The crypt route
The crypt can be visited only on a guided route, not on your own. It is a faith route led by a priest or a sister, and it explains Catholic belief, so it is not an art history tour. It is free, and a donation is welcome.
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 16:00.
- It lasts about 40 minutes and is in French only.
- No routes run in July and August.
- You meet in the inner forecourt after the bag check.
Outside these times the crypt is not open to visitors.
The great organ
The great organ was built in 1898 by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. It was first made for Baron Albert de l'Espée at Ilbarritz and later moved into the basilica. Its restoration began on 10 March 2025 and runs until the end of May 2027. Until then the choir organ accompanies services.
Do not count on hearing the great organ in 2026. If music matters to you, plan a visit after the work ends.
Windows, chapels and candles
Bombs in April 1944 destroyed all the windows of the time, while the walls survived. The windows were renewed between 1946 and 1977.
The side aisles hold small chapels, including one dedicated to Saint Vincent de Paul. Candles burn in a side aisle too. These are places of prayer, so keep your voice low and keep a quiet distance from people who are praying.
Photos, silence and etiquette
The basilica is a church with perpetual adoration.
Photos
Photos are restricted inside, above all in the nave and during services. Ask the staff what applies before you take any, and never photograph during a service. Professional photography needs permission in advance.
Silence and dress
Dress appropriately, speak quietly and do not take phone calls. Respect the prayer areas at the front of the nave.
Audio tours
An audio tour by Art, Culture et Foi and a multilingual tour by the Benedictine sisters are available through a QR code at the entrance. They are a self-guided way to learn more.
Step-free access
A rear entrance at 35 rue du Chevalier de la Barre has a lift into the basilica. There is no lift to the dome.
Planning your time inside
How to fit the church, the dome and the crypt route into one day.
Allow about an hour
The church itself takes 30 to 60 minutes if you walk the aisles and sit for a while. Add time for the bag check at the entrance, which is part of the visit.
Choose a quiet hour
Visitor numbers are highest from 10:30 to 17:00, with a wait of roughly 10 to 15 minutes. The church is calmer before 10:30 and after 17:00. The opening hours page has the full schedule.
Keep exploring
More pages for your visit.
Inside Sacré-Cœur: frequently asked questions
Is it free to go inside Sacré-Cœur?
Yes. Entry to the basilica is free, with no ticket and no reservation. The dome costs extra and is bought on site.
Can I visit the crypt?
Only on the guided faith route, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday at 16:00, in French, for about 40 minutes. It does not run in July and August. It is free, and a donation is welcome.
Can I take photos inside?
Photos are restricted inside, above all in the nave and during services. Ask the staff what applies before you take any, and never photograph during a service.
Is the organ playing in 2026?
The great organ is under restoration until the end of May 2027. The choir organ accompanies services. Do not plan your visit around hearing the great organ.
How big is the mosaic?
The apse mosaic covers 475 m² and was inaugurated in 1923. Some counts reach about 480 m².
Is this the official site of the basilica?
No. This is an independent guide, not connected to the basilica, the Archdiocese of Paris or any tour operator.