Sacred Heart Church

The Church of the Sacré-Cœur, in Ajaccio

The Church of the Sacré-Cœur is a fine white church of neo-Byzantine style, in the heart of the district of the foreigners of Ajaccio, raised in homage to the Corsicans who died during the Great War. The Ajaccio audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this place of memory that keeps the names of the 351 people of Ajaccio fallen for the homeland.

The white church in memory of the dead of the Great War

This fine all-white church, of neo-Byzantine style, is the Church of the Sacré-Cœur, situated in the heart of the district of the foreigners. It owes its name to the date of its consecration, a 7 June, day on which the feast of the Sacred Heart was celebrated. But this sanctuary is above all a monument of memory: it was built in homage to the Corsicans who disappeared during the First World War, this Great War that bereaved so many families of the island. Its superbly sculpted façade is the work of Robert Jacquemus, and its stained-glass windows were made by the painter Valentine Reyre. Unlike the richly adorned exterior, the interior wants to be sober and pure, conducive to contemplation. You find there a book of honour that keeps the names of the 351 people of Ajaccio who died for the homeland, engraved there so that their sacrifice is not forgotten. In the silence of the nave, before this list of names, you measure the weight of the tribute paid by the town and by all of Corsica during this conflict. A place of prayer and of remembrance, the Church of the Sacré-Cœur unites religious devotion and the memory of the combatants, in the dignity and the gravity that befit such a homage. A neo-Byzantine sanctuary and a memorial of the Great War, the Church of the Sacré-Cœur is discovered with respect.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, the fine white church of neo-Byzantine style of the district of the foreigners, built in homage to the Corsicans who died during the Great War; its sculpted façade is the work of Robert Jacquemus, its stained-glass windows that of Valentine Reyre, and its sober interior keeps a book of honour with the names of the 351 people of Ajaccio who died for the homeland. The Church of the Sacré-Cœur is a place of memory of Ajaccio. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Church of the Sacré-Cœur lies on the Boulevard Sylvestre Marcaggi, in the district of the foreigners of Ajaccio, reachable on foot. A place of worship and of memory, it can be visited with respect; entry is generally free, but hours vary. It is best to check them before coming and to respect the sacred and memorial character of the place.

Why was the Church of the Sacré-Cœur of Ajaccio built?

In homage to the Corsicans who died during the First World War; this white church of neo-Byzantine style, with a façade sculpted by Robert Jacquemus and stained-glass windows by Valentine Reyre, keeps inside a book of honour with the names of the 351 people of Ajaccio who died for the homeland, and owes its name to the date of its consecration, day of the feast of the Sacred Heart.

Where is the Church of the Sacré-Cœur in Ajaccio?

On the Boulevard Sylvestre Marcaggi, in the district of the foreigners of Ajaccio, in Corsica.