History of Paris-

Paris (known as Lutetia or Lutece in ancient times) is more than 2,000 years old, and the first people that settled there created a fishing village in the river (what it is called now), Ile de la Cité. This happened between 250 B.C. and 200 B.C., and from then on, civilization developed. In 52 B.C., Paris was conquered by Julius Caesar and was made a stronghold for the Romans up until the Middle Ages. When that time came, Count of Paris Hugh Capet became the king of France, and Paris became the national capital under his successors, called the Capetians. In 1789, the people of Paris stormed the Bastille which was like the spark at the beginning of the French Revolution. During the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, the city was besieged by German troops for four months. After the soldiers left, a Commune of Paris was created by the French radicals. From 1940 to 1944 during World War II, German troops occupied Paris once more.

Sommers, Lawrence M. The New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, Release #8, ©1996.

Basilique Sacré-Coeur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart)-

This Roman Catholic church is located in Montmartre, the highest point of the city of Paris. It is mostly remembered for when the city's patron, Saint Denis, was martyred there. Supposedly, after beheading, Saint Denis picked up his head and carried it north.This basilica was created after the Franco-Prussian War and after the forming of the Commune. It was "planned as a guilt offering and a vote of confidence to cure France's misfortunes." It was a place which encouraged prayer to the "Sacred Heart of Jesus," which is also the name of the cult that encouraged the prayers after becoming popular in 1873.

Hayes, Holly. "Sacré-Coeur Basilica, Paris." Online: Sacred Destinations. 23 August 2009. 24 February 2010. http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/paris-sacre-coeur