The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is in the shape of a Greek cross and is oriented north-south, which is unusual for churches. It is adorned with 4 domes and presents a mixture of Byzantine style and Romanesque architecture. It is the architect Paul Abadie who presides over the works. His basilica project was selected by competition. He was largely inspired by the Saint-Front cathedral in Périgueux and the San Marco basilica in Venice. Works begin in 1875 and end in 1914. Paul Abadie died in 1884 without seeing his basilica completed.