SUMMER IN PARIS – MONUMENT PROVIDES INSPIRATION

Sacre Coeur bell tower in the Montmartre district in Paris!

As I sit on my sofa and feel like I am turning into a slovenly writer, I remember the day that AM, JE, and I walked up to the top of Sacre Coeur and were astounded by the breathtaking sight. AM was in high heels, I was not willing to make the climb, but JE insisted that we all head to the top dome of this Romano-Byzantine church. I was glad he insisted.

The view was spectacular and the architecture was awe-inspiring.

Nothing directly to do with home decor. You might say, “Coco you are going off-brand again…kind of like you did with that post you did on the shoes you wore over Christmas in New Orleans. Get back on track!”

While not directly related to interior design or decorating your house, I would argue that the white travertine, the detail of the domes, the carved rooftop trim, and the striking bell tower are all excellent visuals that could provide great inspiration for a home. A wonderful combination of detailed ornamentation, delicate design, and pristine simplicity.

The exterior of Sacre Coeur is from below. Completed in 1914, and consecrated in 1919, by architect Paul Abadie. (above)

Why The Sacre Coeur was Built?

The stately Sacré-Coeur basilica, located in the 18th arrondissement, is one of Paris’ most visited sites. And it’s truly breathtakingly beautiful.  The sanctuary resembles the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul more than the nearby Notre-Dame Cathedral. The promise was made to build a church if Paris survived the conflict with the Prussian troops in 1870-1871. And the French army’s failure in 1871 was regarded as a moral judgment of Paris’ misdeeds. The National Assembly approved the project in 1873, which included the construction of an enormous Christian church visible from all around Paris. In some ways, the sanctuary honors the 58,000 people who died during the Franco-Prussian War.