Basilica of the Sacre Coure, Paris

The Sacré-Cœur Basilica (French: Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, "Basilica of the Sacred Heart") is a Roman Catholic basilica and popular landmark in Paris, France, dedicated to the Sacred Heart. Sacré-Cœur is pronounced /sakʁe kœʁ/. The basilica is located at the summit of the butte Montmartre (Montmartre butte), the highest point in the city.
The original idea of constructing a church dedicated to the Sacred Heart developed in France after the Franco-Prussian War (1870)in honor of the 58,000 who lost their lives during the war. Architect Paul Abadie designed the basilica after winning a competition over 77 other architects, but he died not long after the foundation had been laid, in 1884, and other architects continued with the work. Construction on the building started in 1875 and was not completed until 1914. This was due to problems with laying foundations.

The overall style of the structure shows heavy Romano-Byzantine influence. Many design elements of the basilica are based on nationalist thematic: the portico, with its three arches, is adorned by two equestrian statues of French national saints Joan of Arc and King Saint Louis IX, both executed in bronze by Lefebvre; and the nineteen-ton Savoyarde bell (one of the world's heaviest), cast in 1895 in Annecy, alludes to the annexation of Savoy in 1860.

Construction costs (amounting to some 40 million French Francs) were originally funded by a national subscription in 1873, but it was declared by the National Assembly that the state had the ultimate responsibility for funding. Construction began in 1875 and was completed in 1914, although consecration of the basilica was delayed until after the First World War.
Sacré-Cœur is built of travertine stone quarried in Château-Landon (Seine-et-Marne), France. This stone constantly exudes calcite, which ensures that the basilica remains white even with weathering and pollution.
A mosaic in the apse, entitled Christ in Majesty, is among the largest in the world. The basilica complex includes a garden for meditation, with a fountain. The top of the dome is open to tourists and affords a spectacular panoramic view of the city of Paris, which is mostly to the south of the basilica.