I studied abroad in France this summer and the most breathtaking building that I saw during my time there was Sacre Coeur. This church was such an experience to visit. I’m Catholic, and I’ve also studied French so I knew it was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We walked up about 270 steps and I was completely exhausted by the time I reached the top. There’s such an amazing view of Paris from the steps of Sacre Coeur that match the grandeur of the church.

Sacre Coeur reminded me of the Taj Mahal with its domes and white exterior. That’s the first thing I thought when I saw it. I love the domes and how ornate it is. Seeing it was like a religious experience because I can see how much intense work went into the construction.

This church changed my expectations for Catholic Churches. The fact that it was so white and build on a hill gave it this heavenly quality. It felt like we were traveling to heaven and we were looking down on the rest of the Earth. This made me realize that architecture can be painstakingly detailed and evoke religious qualities.