The Basilica of the Sacred Heart (basilique du Sacré-Coeur) crowns Paris's "Mount of Martyrs" (Montmartre) in the northern part of the city (map).

A Byzantino-Romanesque building that's only a century old, it is a familiar landmark gleaming on the skyline and visible from many parts of the city.

It was made famous by Utrillo and a hundred lesser artists who lived in this neighborhood. The neighborhood today is quite touristy, but the church remains wonderful, and the panoramic view from its bell tower is one of the best around.

Be sure to visit the dome. You must climb lots of stairs, but the route is fascinating and very scenic. On a clear day you can see for 50 km (30 miles) across the rooftops of Paris.

After exiting the Basilica, walk around to the right to visit the much older Église Saint-Pierre de Montmartre and the Place du Tertre, full of artists madly painting away. Some are better salesmen than artists.

Here's more on the whole Montmartre area, including the nightlife district of Pigalle.

The easiest way to get to the basilique du Sacré-Coeur is to take the Métro to the Pigalle station, then the Montmartrobus to the top of the hill. It will drop you right next to the church (map).

For more atmosphere (and more climbing stairs), take the Métro to the Anvers station and walk north up rue de Steinkerque to the carrousel (merry-go-round). Then board the Funiculaire de Montmartre and ride it to near the summit; or decide to make it a pilgrimage and trudge up all the way up the hill on the grand staircases that ascend to the church (map).