Sacre Coeur, Paris by Jonathan Chapman

No.14 of my 2018 world series challenge is the Sacre Coeur, Paris.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, is commonly known as the Sacré-Cœur Basilica (French: Basilique du Sacré-Cœur) and often simply Sacré-Cœur. A Roman Catholic church and minor basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Paris. A popular landmark, the basilica is located at the summit of Montmartre, the highest point in the city. Designed by Paul Abadie, the Sacre Coeur is both a political and cultural monument. The overall style of the structure shows a free interpretation of Romano-Byzantine features, an unusual architectural vocabulary at the time.

Montmartre is famous for it’s artistic history and was home to the Belle Époque movement from 1872 to 1914. Some of my favourite painters Monet, Renoir, Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, Mondrian, Picasso and van Gogh all had studios or worked in or around this famous hill. I’ve climbed the steps many times, to see the beautiful church at the top and take in the astonishing view over the Paris skyline (the best viewpoint in the city?). It began with some formative school art trips, but i’ve found inspiration every time i’ve visited… I hope I can be back here with my camera and sketchbook very soon!

You can follow along with my world series here on the studio blogfacebooktwitter or instagram.

Next up: No.15 – Lake Tekapo, New Zealand