The Sacred Heart Basilica

Masterpiece of the Romanesque art

The Sacred Heart Basilica

This masterpiece, a jewel of medieval art, is the best conserved example of Cluniac architecture in Bourgogne. The church was built in the 12th century by Hugues de Semur, the most important of the abbots of Cluny.

This ancient priory is still intact and so gives an impression of the splendour of the Cluny Abbey. At a moment when the grand abbey had practically disappeared, Paray III used the designs and architecture as those used by an order at the summit of its power.


  • Chevet2018

Outside

Outside you will appreciate the exceptional chevet, rising in stages from the ground to the bell tower.

A short history

The priory church of paray-le-Monial was built in the 12th century under the direction of Hugues of Semur, the sixth abot of Cluny. It was built at the same time as Cluny III of which it is an "admirable smaller version".
It was raised to the rank of minor basilica by Pope Pius IX in 1875, and dedicated to the Sacred Heart, in remembrance of the apparitions of Christ to a Visitation nun, Saint Margaret-Mary Alacoque, during the 17th century, and of the great pilgrimages followinf these apparitions. it was restored during the 19th century by Eugène Millet, a disciple of the French architect and restorer Viollet-le-Duc.
Interesting archéological excavations were carried out from 1997, together with the entire restauration of the building.

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Inside

Inside, the barrel vault has unique lighting. The choir is remarkable because of the painting of the 15th century apse. It opens onto the elegant ambulatory.

  • 91.le chemin de croix

Today

This Parish church was enhanced throughout the centuries by the work of numerous artists. During the renovation, between 1997 and 2005, J.-C. Detallante designed the lights, evocative of Romanesque bestiary. In 2011, the Way of the Cross was realised by the Enamel workshop of the abbey of Ligugé inspired by the watercolours of the artist P. Lafoucrière.

Un nouvel orgue pour la Basilique

La ville de Paray-le-Monial a entrepris la création d'un grand orgue dans la Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, édifice le plus visité du département de Saône-et-Loire et situé au cœur du Sanctuaire parodien. La paroisse et l'association diocésaine accompagnent notre ville dans la mise en œuvre d'un mécénat culturel destiné au financement partiel de ce beau projet : plus d'un million d'euros.

Praticals informations

Openings :
9:00 am to 7:00 pm

Masses :
Friday : 6:30 pm
Saturday : 8:30 am and 6:00 pm
Sunday : 11:00 am
More information here

Visits :
Visite libre pendant les horaires d'ouverture (attention la Basilique est une église paroissiale, certaines cérémonies sont susceptibles de s'y dérouler)
Visite audio-guidée possible toute l'année pendant les horaires d'ouverture de l'office de tourisme.
Visite guidée tous les jours en juillet et en août à 14h30

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L'OUVRAGE INDISPENSABLE POUR VOTRE VISITE

En vente à l'office de tourisme 8,50€

Location and contact

The Sacred Heart Basilica

Avenue Jean-Paul II
71600 PARAY-LE-MONIAL

Tél : 0033 (0)3 85 81 10 92 Please send an email

Gallery

  • Vue depuis le pont

    Vue depuis le pont

     
  • Déambulatoire de la Basilique

    Déambulatoire de la Basilique

     
  • Chevet (partie arrière) de la Basilique

    Chevet (partie arrière) de la Basilique

     
  • Chapiteau sculpté

    Chapiteau sculpté

     
  • Jeu de lumière

    Jeu de lumière

     
  • Un ensemble harmonieux

    Un ensemble harmonieux