Just a few meters from Sacré-Cœur, thousands of visitors pass by a much older church every day without necessarily stepping inside. Saint-Pierre de Montmartre was built starting in 1134—more than seven centuries before the neighboring basilica. Along with Saint-Germain-des-Prés, it is one of the oldest churches still standing in Paris.
Its rather unassuming facade likely explains why it blends so easily into the backdrop of the Place du Tertre. The site’s history, however, dates back well before the Montmartre of painters and cabarets. A Merovingian basilica dedicated to Saint Denis had already stood on the site before the current building was constructed. In the 12th century, Louis VI the Fat and his wife Adelaide of Savoy founded a Benedictine abbey there. The church was consecrated in 1147 by Pope Eugene III, in the presence of Saint Bernard, among others.
Saint-Pierre de Montmartre, the last remnant of the former abbey
Of this immense royal abbey, which was dissolved during the Revolution, Saint-Pierre is now the main remnant. Several very ancient elements are still visible inside. Four marble columns incorporated into the building are believed to have come from an ancient structure and had already been reused in the basilica that preceded the current church. The building also blends Romanesque architecture with early Gothic elements, allowing visitors to see the transition between the two styles within a single monument.
Yet the church came very close to disappearing. After the Revolution, it served various purposes and fell into a state of serious disrepair by the 19th century. Closed for safety reasons in 1896, it was ultimately saved from demolition and then restored by architect Louis Sauvageot between 1900 and 1905.
Its interior is not limited to medieval remains. The current stained-glass windows were created by Max Ingrand in 1954, the bronze doors are the work of Italian sculptor Tomaso Gismondi, and the church also houses a Cavaillé-Coll organ dating from 1868. Outside, behind the apse, stands the Calvary of Saint-Pierre de Montmartre, which is said to be the tallest in Paris following its restoration, completed in 2022.
The 2026 Heritage Days offer a perfect opportunity to explore it. Guided tours are scheduled for Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., along with a walking tour tracing the history of the former Montmartre Abbey.
Saint-Pierre remains open to the public free of charge almost all year round. A visit takes only a short time and offers a glimpse into a part of Montmartre’s history that predates the postcard images of the Sacré-Cœur.
Location: Saint-Pierre de Montmartre Church, 2 rue du Mont-Cenis, 75018 Paris
Hours: Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed on Mondays.