Sacré-Coeur

475 – In writings about the life of Saint Genevieve, it is mentioned that she convinced the people of Paris to build a chapel on the site where Saint Denis was martyred.

9th century – The original chapel built on the hill in honor of Saint Denis fell into ruin.

1559 – A fire destroyed a large part of the abbey of the Benedictines of Montmartre.

1611 – Discovery of an ancient crypt said to have been sanctified by Saint Denis.

1794 – The last Abbess, Marie-Louise de Montmorency-Laval, was executed on July 24, 1794.

1870 – War broke out between France and Germany.

1872 – Approval of the Vow by Cardinal Guibert, Archbishop of Paris.

1875 – The first stone is laid, and construction of the basilica begins.

1885 (August 1st) – Perpetual adoration of the Eucharist begins and continues to this day.

1891 (June 5) – Inauguration of the Basilica (the dome is yet to be built).

1895 – The famous bell “Savoyarde,” weighing 19 tonnes and cast in Annecy, is donated to the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur by Savoy.

1912 – The campanile is completed, and the lanternon cross is installed.

1919 – Consecration of the Basilica and dedicated to the Sacred Heart (originally scheduled for October 17, 1914, but suspended due to World War I).

1923 – Inauguration of the mosaic of Christ in Glory, decorating the apse of the Basilica.

1944 (Night of April 20-21) – The stained-glass windows of the Basilica are blown out by bombing, but the perpetual adoration wasn’t interrupted.