When you drive up to this Catholic church, you'll almost feel like you've been transported here from Greece. It's modeled after an ancient Greek church, but it dates from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
The old Church of the Madeleine, where King Louis XVI himself was buried, used to stand here, but was subsequently moved to Saint Denis. The new church was supposed to serve as a temple dedicated to Napoleon, which in the end did not happen.
The church is dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene and bears the official name L'église de la Madeleine in French.
When you stand on the front steps of the church, turn around and you'll get a great view across Rue Royale toPlace Concorde with its obelisk and up to the dome of the Invalides itself. Classical music concerts are also held here, just check the church's official website for more information.
Admission and opening hours
The church is open daily 9:30-19:00 and there is no admission fee.
For more information visit: www.eglise-lamadeleine.com.
Transportation and location
It is convenient to walk to the church from, for example, Place de la Concorde or Saint-Lazare station, and there are many restaurants and shops in the area.
However, you can of course also reach the church by public transport via the Madeleine metro and bus stations.
- Metro 8 - Invalides, Champ de Mars-Eiffel Tower, Place de la Concorde, Bastille, Zoo
- Metro 12 - Place de la Concorde, Champs-Elysées, Tuileries Gardens, Montmartre, Musée d'Orsay, Opera Gariner, Tour Montparnasse, Gare Saint-Lazare, Gare Montparnasse
- Metro 14 - Louvre, Palais Royal, Chatelet, Hotel de Ville, Le Marais, Gare du Lyon, Gare Saint-Lazare, Gare Bercy, Orly Airport
- Bus 42 - Champs-Elysées, Petit + Grand Palais, Eiffel Tower, Parc André Citroën, Gare Saint-Lazare
- Bus 45 - Place de la Concorde, Gare du Nord
- Bus 52 - Arc de Triomphe, Denfert-Rochereau
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