Sacre Coeur
After the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, it was proposed that a church be constructed on the butte Montmartre. Of the 78 entries in the competition for its design, the one chosen was by the architect named Abadie. The first stone was laid in 1875. Abadie himself died in 1884 with only the foundation having been completed.
Completed in 1914, it was not consecrated until 1919 after World War I had ended. The final cost was 40 million francs. Since 1885, there has been perpetual adoration and worship within.
The interior of the church contains one of the world's largest mosaics, and depicts Christ with outstretched arms. The nearby bell tower contains the ``Savoyarde'', cast in the city of Annecy in 1895, it is one of the world's heaviest bells at 19 tons.
Just around the corner from the Sacre Coeur is Place du Tertre or Artist Square. Here you can have your portrait done, buy a painting of a Paris landmark or even have your silhouette cut from a piece of paper as Stacey is having done in the second picture.
A street entertainer in front of the Sacre Coeur