This wedding cake-like white church rises high above the northern part of Paris. The striking building with its towers and white onion dome (83 m high) was built between 1875-1914 on the site of the Commune, officially as an act of penance for sins committed during the civil war, in which thousands were executed, and for the bloodshed on Franco-Prussian War of 1870. A number of prominent businessmen allocated money and, according to a dizzying project, the architects created this Roman-Byzantine extravaganza. The church was consecrated in 1919. Inside, the basilica is decorated with colored stained glass windows and a monumental mosaic on the theme “France’s Reverence for the Heart of God,” made in 1912-1922 by the artist Luc-Olivier Merson. The view of Paris from the Gallery of Columns in the dome (200 m above sea level) and from the square in front of the temple is unsurpassed, and perhaps even better than the view from the Eiffel Tower. For the sporty traveller, there are stairs leading to the top of the hill, otherwise there is a cable car every few minutes during the day from Place St. Pierre. Follow the signs for Funiculaire De Montmartre.” Be careful: down on the stairs leading to the church, groups of mostly young African men will pester you with a small thread, offering to make a nice loop around your finger. Trying to shake it off can end up ugly, e.g. claims “No, these are donations for the church, you can’t do that!” They will also demand money for the bracelet they made for everyone, offering it “at a discount” for € 20.