Sacre Couer

[dep0515]

Okay....so a thread on TA has piqued my interest and I wanted to get the opinions of the esteemed members of this forum....

Sacre Couer: Must see or a waste of time?

I had this on the list of places to go on my first visit in October, but now I'm wondering if I should reconsider.

I know it's all subjective, but your opinions would be much appreciated!

[Truffaut]

In my opinion, the interior of the Basilica is definitely not worth the effort. The view from the balcony at the front is rather intriguing, inasmuch as it gives an arial view of how the city is laid out. That can be had, however, from either the Tour Eiffel or the Arc de Triomphe. Parts of the neighborhood around the back side of the Basilica are interesting. Overall, I wouldn't necessarily put it on my "must do" list for a first visit.

[sistereurope]

I think that the view of Paris from Sacre Coeur ALONE makes it worth seeing!
It can be crowded with tourists, and I've only been inside once. But IMHO it's definitely worth it, and a tour of the surrounding area of Montmarte is a must see as well (again, just my opinion).

[sistereurope]

See, you have two somewhat differing views already! ;D

[dep0515]

Thanks for your responses!

Gitte - I knew I would get that response from you because of your love of the area, and I hope I didn't offend you by asking the question.

I think I will keep it on my list of things to see, if nothing else than for the view. If, for some reason, I don't make it - then that's all the more reason for me to plan a return trip!

I'm still interested in others' opinions, so keep 'em coming! ;D

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

I still have not been inside, but I do love the view over the city from there. I really enjoyed seeing the perspective from SC, ET, AdeT, ND and Pantheon. Each is a really different view, from different heights, but all are great. (Still have not been up in Tour Montparnasse - it's so ugly when looking at it that I haven't been able to get up the enthusiasm to go, although everyone says that the view from there is great.)

[dep0515]

Gitte - I solemnly swear I will not follow the crowds to Place du Tertre. Thanks for your advice!

[Jody]

You also can check out the Musee de Montmarte while you're up there!

[Darcy]

I was in SC one evening about 5 or 5:30 when the nuns came into the choir stalls and gave a beautiful a cappella performance. It was absolutely lovely, and I believe it happens every day.

[mez]

Oh, definitely keep it on your list. It's one of those places that you just associate with Paris and for a first time visitor, a must do.

And you really don't need a reason to go back to Paris...you just go.

[Happygoin]

I think you have to go just once or you'll always wonder what you're missing. Unfortunately I mostly agree with Truffaut. I've never been especially taken with the beauty of it. I've always thought it looks out of place in Paris. I do love the stairways leading up to SC; they're much more interesting to me than the actual SC itself.

[geordy]

It was on my list of must dos on my first visit. Whether you enjoy the actual building or not the view, the layout of the stairs, the whole feel of the place is definately worth it.

Plus you can use it as a starting point to Montmartre. Do follow the tourists(sorry Gitte) to the Pl. Tertre just to see what everyone is talking about! Then follow the rest of GitteK's instructions and wander about the lovely parts!!

[dep0515]

Okay....it's officially staying on my list of "must sees"!

Darcy - I hope I'm able to catch that a capella performance....it sounds like it would be wonderful.

Thanks, everyone, for your responses.

[frederickwentworth]

Hello
This is my first message here after being invited on this forum.

I wholly agree: The view is spectacularly beautiful PROVIDED you turn your back on this architectural monstrosity. It is a neo-byzantine nightmare both outside and inside--you'll need to go and spend days in Kariye Djamie and St. Sophia in Istanbul to recover your senses--THAT mosaic above the altar! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

The history behind the monument is equally unsavoury. The funds were voted in 1873 by the monarchist National Assembly to atone (!!!!)
--for the "emprisonment" of Pope Pius X by the new united Italy (he simply locked himself up in the Vatican because he had been divested of the Papal States which the Papacy had been incapable of administering properly, they were one of the poorest, least developed areas in Europe--malaria rampant);
--and for the "sins" of the Commune (an admittedly violent revolutionary movement which followed the fall of the inept Napoleon III due to German victory after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 which Napoleon III had stupidly started). The repression of the Commune was unbelievably brutal and atonement should have concerned both parties.

For these two reasons, the monument is associated with ultra ultra-conservatism both of Church (infallibility of the Pope, the condemnation of all modern ideas in the Syllabus bull, etc.) and State. Montmartre is a charming place which did not deserve this monument.
Yours
FW

[Happygoin]

Wow...you got your first exalt from me for that history lesson, Frederick. Welcome to the forum, glad to have you!

[grunblack]

frederickwentworth - great post, I like to understand some of the history and how people feel about it, it adds to the experience.