This Catholic temple is a rarity, and at first glance it looks more like an ancient Greek monument than a church. This peculiarity has made the Madeleine church a popular tourist spot, attracting thousands of visitors each year from all over the world.
The original Madeleine church was one of the first Catholic temples in Paris, when the French territory was still known as the kingdom of the Franks.
Time damaged the structure of the church, so it had to be demolished, and to replace it, another church began to be quickly planned. However, the new Madeleine would have a difficult start, and it is that a long series of events prevented it from being completed during its established period.
The first steps in the construction of the Madeleine were taken in 1764, when the project was handed over to the French architect, Pierre Contant d’Ivry. However, Contant d’Ivry died in 1777, leaving the building unfinished.
Then came the French Revolution, which completely halted the construction process, which would not start again until the rise to power of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Bonaparte ordered the demolition of everything that had been made of the Madeleine Church, and in its place had a different one built, following a neoclassical style, designed to honor all the French who had been part of the national Navy.
Today, the Madeleine Church is one of the most wonderful buildings in Paris. The structure of the place draws a lot of attention from tourists, since it does not appear to be a church. In fact, it is common to be mistaken for an ancient Roman or Greek temple.
Despite this, the design, style and layout of the Madeleine is simply fascinating. Its facade is spectacular, highlighting the 52 columns that keep the structure standing.
Its interior is exquisitely designed and ornamented. Like its façade, the internal spaces of the Madeleine are peculiar. The place has very dim lighting, so it seems to be always in the dark, in addition, the decorations are precise, and it seems that nothing is missing or excess inside.
In the same way, art is present within the Madeleine. An intricate fresco can be seen on the dome, which tells the history of Catholicism, and the High Altar is dominated by a statue of Mary Magdalene.
This church is located at the end of Rue Royale street, in a square that bears the same name as the building and that is located between the Place de la Concorde and the Opera House.
Being a very busy area, it is easy to get there, although the easiest way to do it is by public transport. Lines 8, 12 and 14 of the Paris metro have stations close to the Madeleine church, so you can cover the route quickly.
As for the temple, admission is free, and you can visit it any day of the week. If you want to leave Paris feeling that you have known one of its most precious secrets, do not hesitate to go and meet Madeleine.
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