Red chalk – 7,48 x 11,42 inch – Unique work

Montmartre? Everybody knows about it. But how far? What if I told you that Montmartre had always been a place of worship? It’s a good start …

In the 5th century, Saint Geneviève convinced her contemporaries to build a chapel in memory of Saint Denis, first bishop and martyr of Paris. It went to rack and ruin in the 9th century but was rebuilt. It’s the site of many pilgrimages, veneration of the bones of anonymous Christians victims of persecution. It becomes the “Mont des Martyrs”, hence its name Montmartre.

In 1559, the Benedictine Abbey of Montmartre, at the top of the hill, was partially burnt down. The Mayor of Beauvilliers, from 1611, undertook the restoration of the Martyrium by building a new abbey around the chapel linked together by a gallery. A staircase came out of the ground. It’s the one leading to the ancient crypt sanctified by Saint Denis. This is an opportunity for Marie de Médicis, and more than 60,000 people to travel there.

Over the centuries, the place has become an essential site for remembrance. Thus, at the end of the 14th century, the king of France Charles VI undertook the journey. At the beginning of the 15th century, to fight against the Armagnacs and the Burgundians, the Parisian parishes asked for the help of Saint Denis. In 1525, the people of Paris, on their own, pray for the release of François Ier. On August 15, 1534, Saint Ignatius, Saint Francis Xavier and their companions founded the Company of Jesus.

Then, in 1792, during the French Revolution, the Benedictines were driven out and the monastery destroyed. On July 24, 1794, Marie-Louise de Montmorency-Laval, the last abbess was executed.

In 1870, it’s war between France and Germany. German troops invade France. The pope is confined to the Vatican. Alexandre Legentil and Hubert Rohault de Fleury embark on a spiritual process through their vow to build a Church consecrated to the Heart of Christ. At the end of 1872, Cardinal Guibert, archbishop of Paris, agreed and chose Montmartre. At the end of 1873, the National Assembly passed a law declaring the Basilica of public utility. Its construction can begin thanks to the numerous donations collected throughout France.

And here is the whole history of the Sacré Cœur of Montmartre, with many cuts, I agree but what a destiny, so much suffering too. A magnificent and magical place. There’s definitely something coming out of it.