After walking through the avenues of Paris and visiting the most famous monuments, I decided to see another one of those places that everyone recommends, but which you only really understand when you see it with your own eyes. This time, the road led me in the direction of the most famous hill in Paris, namely Montmartre, the home of many artists, poets, and dreamers.
Although the day was gloomy and cold again, as if a grey cloud followed my every step in Paris, somehow it seemed to me that this kind of weather perfectly suited the path I was on.
Montmartre is not a place that seeks the sun. It seeks feeling. And that day he had it.
Walking uphill through the narrow streets of Paris, one feels that this is no ordinary part of the city.
There are picture galleries, small cafes that smell of fresh coffee and croissants, window displays full of souvenirs, artists painting portraits of passers-by, and old houses that look like they've stepped out of an old movie.
All this creates an atmosphere that no other place in Paris has.
And then, at one point, the ascent stops, the sky opens, and she appears in front of you.
Bazilika Sacré-Cœur
When you first stand in front of the basilica, you stop. Or rather, you have to stop.
Its size, the white stone that shines through even under a grey sky, the domes that rise high above the hills, all this leaves an impression of sanctity, peace, and power.
The Sacré-Cœur is built of stone that has an incredible feature when it rains, the stone releases a white substance that "cleans" it on its own, so the basilica remains brilliantly white despite the years and weather. That's why it looks like it's new, even though it was completed in 1914.
The white colour is not accidental; it was supposed to represent purity, peace and the restoration of France after the difficult years of war.
Its three main domes symbolise the Holy Trinity, while the facade features bronze statues of Saint Louis and Joan of Arc, two key figures in French history. At the top, there is a large central dome, as high as 83 meters, which dominates the panorama of Paris.
The basilica itself is a combination of Romanesque-Byzantine style, which is why it is completely different from the Gothic cathedrals in the city. That's why when you look at it, you get the feeling that you are in a space that combines tradition, history and something deeply spiritual.
In front of the entrance, there is a huge plateau from which one of the most beautiful views of Paris can be seen.
Although the weather was gloomy, you could see everything: the rows of roofs, the bridges over the Seine, the streets that stretch like the lifeblood of the city. People were sitting on the steps, some taking photos, while others just looked into the distance.
It's that special moment when Paris seems simple yet endless.
There are love padlocks on the fences and small gates around the basilica. They are not as numerous as on the bridges over the Seine, but that is precisely why they seem more intimate.
Couples lock the padlock and throw away the key, symbolising the permanence of their relationship. Some padlocks are new, shiny; others have been there for years, faded and damaged, but still hold someone's story.
As I watched it, I realised why Montmartre is a place of romance. It is not the commercial romance of Paris, but quiet, sincere, a little imperfect, just like life.
Entering the basilica is a special moment. As soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted by a silence so strong that I felt it in my chest.
High vaults, dark stone, low lighting and a huge fresco of the heart of Christ, which is also the largest mosaic-fresco in France, create a feeling of grandeur and peace. While looking at the fresco, you have the sense that it is looking back at you.
To the side is a huge organ, one of the most impressive instruments in Paris. When he plays, the whole basilica vibrates. Although I didn't hear them live at that moment, just looking at them is enough to imagine the energy that is created when the tones are turned up.
People walked quietly, some lit candles, others sat in benches in silent prayer, and some observed the vastness of the space. No one was in a hurry. It's as if the basilica is asking everyone to calm down, at least for a moment.
Although the basilica was the focus of my tour, Montmartre cannot be ignored. When you move just a few minutes away from the basilica, you come across: small squares, street painters, old restaurants, narrow streets that look like a postcard, the music of street musicians, and the smell of fresh food coming from the bistro. Montmartre is Paris that breathes more slowly. Paris is not in a hurry. A Paris that allows you to get lost and find yourself again.
The Sacré-Cœur Basilica is not just a building. She is a symbol of hope, faith, peace and perseverance. She is the white guardian of Paris, standing above the city and observing it silently but powerfully. And Montmartre is her canvas, a space filled with life, colours, smells, and art.
The gloomy day, cold wind and cloudy sky could not hide the beauty of this place. Maybe they even emphasised it. When you stand in front of the basilica and look away, you realise that this city has many layers. And Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur are among the most beautiful.
