Paris for the Catholic Pilgrim: What to Do and Where to Go

Paris for the Catholic Pilgrim: What to Do and Where to Go

Paris is a fantastic city for any Catholic pilgrimage. The historic nature of the cathedrals and even some tourist attractions makes this the perfect playground for that religious retreat. 

Here’s a list of everything I would recommend doing if getting in touch with Catholic France is your goal:

The Sacre Coeur in Paris

More famous than the Eiffel Tower in some parts, The Scare Coeur Basilica is a Roman Catholic church that is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This design and history of the church have caused great appeal to tourists from all over the world. At present, the Scare Coeur is responsible for just under 12 million visitors to Paris per year, and these numbers are ever increasing. 

Sacre Coeur in Paris – by Thomas Bresson – Wikimedia Commons

10 Best Cafes near the Sacre Coeur in Paris

In 1873, the Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal Guibert, obtained the rights to utilize the land at the summit of Montmartre Hill for the building of a brand new church. The stone used to construct the Sacre Coeur is known as travertine stone.

Often called the ‘crowning glory of the 18th arrondissement’, the Sacre Coeur Basilica is the massive white church that sits at the summit of Montmartre Hill. This is why it can be seen from just about everywhere in the city; and why it is able to catch the sun day in and day out.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: MONDAY TO SUNDAY — 6AM TO 10:30PM

ADDRESS: 35 RUE DU CHEVALIER DE LA BARRE, 75018 PARIS, FRANCE

METRO STATION: CHÂTEAU ROUGE

Saint Denis Basilica in Paris

Saint-Denis Basilica is an important place in France’s Catholic history. The cathedral, Paris and Remis, are considered to be three of the most sacred spaces in the country, as all kings and queens throughout history were buried in Saint-Denis from the 7th century onward. 

Saint Denis Basilica – by Ninaras – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Things to do Around Saint Denis Basilica in Paris

The cathedral was once a place of pilgrimage, as well as home to a monastic community. 

Technically, the Saint-Denis Basilica falls outside of the Parisian city walls, and is not considered as part of inner Paris. Getting to the cathedral requires some time and planning, but public transport is available in both directions

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

HOURS: MONDAY TO SUNDAY —  10AM TO 6:15PM

ADDRESS: 1 RUE DE LA LÉGION D’HONNEUR, 93200 SAINT-DENIS, FRANCE

METRO STATION: BASILIQUE DE SAINT-DENIS

Church of Saint-Chapelle in Paris

If you take a short walk onto the western side of the Notre Dame, island you’ll eventually come to another very important Catholic monument: the Sainte-Chapelle .

Saint-Chapelle in Paris – by Guilhem Vellut – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Facts About the Saint Chapelle

This is an ancient, gothic chapel that was the official residence of the King of France up until the 14th century. It’s an exquisite monument, and more than this there is much to do in the neighborhood surrounding the church, which makes for a great day out. 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

HOURS: MONDAY TO SUNDAY —  9am to 7pm

ADDRESS: 10 Bd du Palais, 75001 Paris, France

METRO STATION: Notre Dame

Picpus Cemetery in Paris

Moving away from Catholic Churches for a minute, one must take a moment to acknowledge another important site in this secular cluster. 

Picpus Cemetery is found in the 12th arrondissement. It is the only active private cemetery that remains in Paris, it’s an important resting place for Catholic history.

Picpus Cemetery – by LPLT – Wikimedia Commons

Here lies 1,306 people who were interred in the mass graves. These were the victims of “The Terror”, including the martyrs of Compiegne. You’ll also find the grave of General-Marquis de La Fayette on these grounds.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

HOURS: MONDAY TO SUNDAY —  2pm to 5pm

ADDRESS: 35 Rue de Picpus, 75012 Paris, France

METRO STATION: Bel-Air

Basilica of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port in France

If you have the opportunity to take your pilgrimage outside of Paris, into greater France, then this is on Catholic history site you don’t want to miss. 

Saint-Nicolas-de-Port is a small town in Grand Est, and home to a beautiful basilica on French soil. The snowy white interior makes for fairytale energy, and the church is supposedly home to many relics that were brought into France from Italy by Saint Nicolas himself.  

Basilica of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port – by Zairon – Wikimedia Commons

Architecturally it is wondrous, featuring stained glass windows from the Renaissance era. This cathedral was only dubbed an official minor basilica in 1950, but has been a historical monument of France since 1840. 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

HOURS: MONDAY TO SUNDAY —  8am to 5pm

ADDRESS: Rue Simon Moycet, 54210 Saint-Nicolas-de-Port, France