Église du Sacré-Cœur de Lille, Gothic Revival church in Lille, France

The Église du Sacré-Cœur is a Neo-Gothic church measuring 90 metres long, 24 metres wide and 22 metres high under the main vault. Its basilical plan has an ambulatory circling the choir, and the transept is lit by three rows of openings: a rose window under the vault, five small windows, then two larger windows depicting the four Evangelists. The 75-metre bell tower, built in reinforced concrete, was completed in 1928.

The church was built after a vow made on 7 October 1870 by the Dames of the Enfants de Marie du Sacré-Cœur to spare Lille from Prussian invasion. Architect Jules Batigny built it in two campaigns, 1875–1878 and 1895–1898, and the apse chapels were added in the second half of the 1880s. Consecrated on 20 June 1902, it still lacked its bell tower, which Charles Sarazin completed in 1928 in reinforced concrete and which was fully restored from 2005 to 2008.

The church interior displays numerous architectural elements of the Gothic Revival period, including pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and detailed stone carvings.

The church is located in Lille and accessible by walking through the city center. Opening hours vary between weekdays and weekends, so it's best to check ahead if planning a visit.

The tower, 75 metres high, was only finished in 1928 by architect Charles Sarazin, long after the church was consecrated in 1902. Built in reinforced concrete, it weathered badly and was fully restored between 2005 and 2008. It houses a carillon of several bells that has been silent for years.