Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre

The Sacré-Cœur Basilica sits at the summit of the Butte Montmartre, the highest natural point in Paris, and approaching it is as much of the experience as being there. The neighborhood below is one of the most distinctive in the city — steep winding streets, staircases, hidden vineyard, artists' squares, and the famous Place du Tertre where portrait painters have worked for centuries. Families approaching from Abbesses metro station climb through these streets and discover Paris at its most picturesque, with children often enjoying the physical adventure of the ascent as much as the destination itself.

The basilica's white Romano-Byzantine exterior is unlike anything else in Paris and photographs magnificently. Inside, the atmosphere is hushed and the interior mosaic — one of the largest in the world — fills the dome with golden light. Entry to the basilica is free; climbing the dome costs a small fee and requires ascending a narrow spiral staircase that is not suitable for strollers or very young children.

The steps outside the basilica provide some of the best free panoramic views in Paris, and street performers — drummers, acrobats, guitarists — maintain an almost constant show on the terraced steps below. Children are captivated by the combination of performance, architecture, and the sweeping city view. Evening visits, when the city lights up below the dome, are particularly memorable for older children.