[2025 Paris Attraction] Travel Guide for L'église de la Madeleine (Updated Jul)

Église de la Madeleine (Madeleine Church) A unique structure resembling a Greek temple. Surrounded by 52 Corinthian columns, it exudes an impression entirely different from traditional Parisian churches. Originally envisioned by Napoleon Bonaparte as a "temple to honor the glory of the French army," it was later converted into a church and continues to serve as a space for mass to this day. While the exterior is grand, solid, and classical, the interior combines a golden ceiling with serene prayer spaces, offering a subtle and tranquil sense of majesty.

#0yentravelJanuary2025 Recently, I went to a classical music concert held at the Madeleine in Paris, and it was absolutely amazing! You can spend a luxurious time immersed in music while enjoying the solemn atmosphere that is typical of Paris. The exterior of this church is overwhelming with its grandeur, like a Greek temple, but once you enter, a solemn atmosphere spreads. The music that resonates in the space is so beautiful that it shakes your heart. In particular, on the day I went, they were playing Canon and Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons," and the church's echo effect was excellent, and I felt like the sound was permeating my entire body. Concerts are held frequently, so it's easy to schedule even while traveling. If you check the official website or ticket sales site in advance, you can easily make a reservation. The price is about 30 euros. It's a reasonable music experience and easy to incorporate into your sightseeing plan.

Madeleine in Paris refers to the area around Place de la Madeleine, and is one of the famous areas along with the Église de la Madeleine. This church is known for its neoclassical architecture and is one of the beautiful buildings in Paris. Around the Madeleine, there are high-end shops, restaurants, and cafes, so you can enjoy shopping and dining. Located in the heart of Paris, it is convenient to visit major tourist attractions. The Madeleine district is one of the areas where you can feel the history and beauty of Paris. In particular, there is always a flower market in front of the Madeleine Temple! #EuropeanTravel

Since 2011, the Madelaine Church has invited an artist to design a Christmas art installation. This year's installation is undertaken by Benoit Dutour and will be exhibited until January 29th. From the 98 "tears" hanging from the circular skylight at the top, items related to three themes are stored: eternal wealth, the fragility of life, and the beauty of the present. There are obvious items such as butterflies, plants, coins, and Apple phones... Opposite the skylight is a set of irregular mirrors, symbolizing heaven and humanity. The corresponding relationship between the rooms, looking up at the person with "tears" will be reflected in the mirror as a child's height. As a public welfare project, the artist's personal website sells the same "tears" for 2400 euros per drop, and some popular styles are already sold out. The income will be donated to the church. The location of the church belongs to the Archbishop of Paris, and the patron saint is the Virgin Mary of Magdala. The church was built as early as the 12th century. The current building was designed in 1757, imitating the Baroque church of the Hôtel des Invalides, with a circular dome placed on a Latin cross plan. In 1777, the architect died, and his students demolished the unfinished building and redesigned it to resemble the Pantheon in Rome. The project stopped in 1797, and in 1806, Napoleon decided to establish the "Temple of the Great Army Glory" here. Louis XVIII decided to change it to a Catholic church.