Right before us rise the K-I Stairs. They may seem like just another set of steps in Paris. But these stairs have a story. They are not just a means to get from one point to another. They are a destination in themselves.
Paris is not Lisbon. Paris has some hills. Montmartre is one such area. It requires a bit of climbing. Tales of climbing up and down stairs and hills are common here.
Many visitors start their day in the Montmartre area of Paris. The train station has an elevator. But many people prefer the stairs. They may be surprised at how far up they have to go to reach street level. After all, “Mont” is right there in the name.
The Sacré-Cœur Basilica sits atop Montmartre. Many want to visit it. Some seek out the stairs featured in the fourth John Wick movie. Wick fights his way up a long flight of stairs. He faces many gunmen. He is knocked down and has to climb again.
But the route from the Montmartre station to Sacré-Cœur doesn’t always involve many stairs. Some go through a small commercial district. They come out on the west side of the basilica.
The Sacré-Cœur is a major attraction. When arriving at the foot of Sacré-Cœur, one sees the stairs leading up the hill. The stairs have 237 steps. As you walk up, turn around. Enjoy the view of the city and Sacré-Cœur. At the top, take time to admire the outside of the church.
Sacré-Cœur isn’t actually a basilica. It is a cross-in-square church. It is made from Château-Landon stone. These stones are special. They release calcite. Over time, this gives them a chalky white finish. That makes the church look bright and shiny. The building is 83 meters high. That includes the dome.
The construction of Sacré-Cœur started in the 19th century. The church was built between 1875 and 1919. It was a response to the French losing the war to the Prussians in the 1870s. Some felt they’d lost the favor of God. It was a conservative initiative.
Inside Sacré-Cœur, there is a mosaic in the apse. It measures 475 square meters. It depicts Jesus with wide open arms. The rose window with the heart of Jesus is wonderful, too.
To ascend into the dome costs extra. There is a warning sign. It says it will be another 300 stairs to the dome. A narrow winding staircase leads up to the dome. Visitors can stay up here as long as they like. They can enjoy the exhibition and the view. On a nice day, one can see up to 40 kilometers across the city.
So, whether you are seeking movie fame or religious enlightenment, the K-I Stairs offer a path. They connect the mundane to the magnificent. They invite you to climb and discover.