The towering white domes of the basilica of Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre. Above the portico stands an equestrian statue of Joan of Arc. Paris, France.
At the outbreak of the Franco Prussian War in1870, two catholic businessmen made a private religious vow. It was to build a church dedicated to the sacred heart of Christ should France be spared the impending Prussian onslaught. The two men, Alexandre Legentil and Hubert Rohault de Fleury, lived to see Paris delivered from invasion despite war and a lengthy siege, and also the commencement of what was to become the basilica of Sacré-Coeur. The project was taken up by Archbishop Guibert of Paris. Work began in 1875 to a Romano-Byzantine inspired design by Paul Abadie. The basilica was completed in 1914, but the First World War and another German invasion forestalled the consecration until 1919.
Size: 2848px × 4287px
Location: Sacré-Coeur, Montmartre, 18th Arrondissement, Paris, Île-de-France, France, Europe.
Photo credit: © Andrew Wood / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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