The church of the Madeleine, commonly called La Madeleine, is a construction reminding the Greek style: 54 columns in a Corinthian style surround an enormous monument.
A lot of Parisians choose this famous church for their religious events like baptisms and weddings.
In 1763, under the kingdom of Louis XV, a first church was created with a baroque style and a crosswise plan.
Louis XVI transformed the church in a neoclassical building, following the style of the Pantheon: he decided to enlarge and emphasize the dome. During the French revolution the works for the construction of the church were abandoned.

In 1806 Napoleon I decided to destroy the monument to rebuild a temple on the model of the Parthenon of Athens.
Before his abdication, Napoleon approved to keep the function of church and only in 1842, under the king Louis Philippe, the monument was completed and consecrated to Saint Marie Madeleine.
The frieze of the main pediment represents the Final Judgment and the bronze main entrance is decorated with fine bas-reliefs depicting scenes of the Ten Commandments.
Inside the church, the aisle is ornamented with statues of the twelve apostles and above the altar there is an important painting representing Constantine the Great, Federico Barbarossa, Joan of Arc, the cardinal Richelieu, Napoleon and other famous personages.

Useful information

Address:
Place de la Madeleine
75008 Paris

Tel.: 01.44.51.69.00

Access:
Madeleine

Hour:
Everyday from 7 a.m. tp 7 p.m.


For more information:
www.eglise-lamadeleine.com