BASILIQUE DU SACRÉ-CŒUR
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Sacré-Coeur Basilica offers guided tours: the tourist office has a tour brochure.
Around 970, Lambert, Count of Chalon, and Maïeul, Abbot of Cluny, decided to found a priory and build a sanctuary. This first church was built between 973 and 977, and the relics of Saint Grat, bishop of Chalon, were transported there.
A new church was built at the beginning of the year 1000, and today's basilica has preserved its narthex. The decision to build the basilica was taken in the mid-12th century by Hugues, abbot of Cluny, who wanted the church to be a smaller replica of Cluny III. A priory church built at the same time as the great abbey church of Cluny, it was given the title of Basilica of the Sacred Heart in 1875. Particularly well preserved, it remains the best example of Cluny architecture. Pope John Paul II came to pray here on October 5, 1986.
Several contemporary features have been installed, including chandeliers by Jean-Charles Detallante, whose decor echoes the Romanesque bestiary, a new Way of the Cross by artist Pierre Lafoucrière, and liturgical furnishings based on designs by François Prioleau.
Today, the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Paray-le-Monial's influence extends far beyond the Saône-et-Loire region, as it is the most visited site in the département, welcoming pilgrims from all over the world. The tourist office provides a leaflet in several languages, as well as audio-guided tours, to help you discover this jewel of 12th-century Romanesque art.
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