The news may sound astonishing: no, until Thursday December 8, 2022, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart was not listed as Historic Monument. But it is no longer the case since the National Committee of the Heritage and Architecture has just granted the Sacred Heart the Historic Monument status.
“This status as ‘historic monument’ is the acknowledgment of the Nation of the heritage interest of a property. […] The policy in favor of historic monument also includes lots of actions to promote material and intangible elements of heritage”, and allows to conduct operations of renovation and preservation of the place, the Ministry of Culture’s website reads.
With over 10 million visitors a year, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart is regularly in the top 3 most-visited landmarks in Paris. The status as “historic monument” is to protect the building, worn out by visitors.
The Sacred Heart should have been listed several months ago. But the process was stopped in 2021, not to interfere with the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Paris Commune. As a matter of fact, Anne Hidalgo thought mixing both events would have been a mistake. Even though “historians show there is no link between the creation of the Basilica and the Commune, there have been striking events that cannot be left out”, deputy mayor for heritage Karen Taieb said.
Paris includes over 2,000 monuments, including 450 listed as Historic Monuments. The Sacred Heart is to join this list very soon, then.
Location
Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre
35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre
75018 Paris 18
Access
Metro Jules Joffrin (Line 12) Pigalle (Lines 12 and 2) Anvers (Line 2)
