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    Église de la Madeleine

    4.1 (42 reviews)
    Closed 9:30 am - 7:00 pm

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    Paris, France: La Madeleine. History resonates! A historic Catholic Church dedicated to Mary Magdalene. Je t'aime!
    Eric R.

    "A woman is more beautiful than the world in which I live, and so I close my eyes." - French Quote If I told you I saw the ghost of Frédéric Chopin would you believe me? If I told you I walked in Napoleon's army would you believe me, still? Well to answer those scandalous questions one must first visit L'église de la Madeleine in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. L'église de la Madeleine aka La Madeleine is a Catholic Church founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1807. Earlier versions date back to the 1600's, however never completed until Napoleon united all of France. In 1849, decades after the fall of Napoleon, Frédéric Chopin, in his dying days, requested Mozart's Requiem be sung for his funeral here. A glorious event attended by thousands, overflowed past the giant columns and onto the streets of Paris, Chopin later buried at Cimetière du Père Lachaise. This, after his heart was removed and returned to his native Poland. I guess as the top composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era you get whatever you want, right?! In life and in death. Le sigh My bed & breakfast was literally a stones throw from La Madeleine. I would pass by every morning and pass by every evening. One night I had a strange dream of Chopin so the next morning I curiously entered La Madeleine. Coincidence? Weird? Or was it his ghostly spirit calling me? I was stepping back into time, if that makes any sense. Not as bright as other Catholic Churches I normally enter. Yet, a calmness surrounded me. It was during mass, so I respectfully refrained from taking photos inside. I'll share it for next time! The exterior is breathtaking, yet seems misplaced. A friend from Germany says it resembles Greek origin. The architectural lines are Neo-Classical Roman. It reminds me of the Pantheon in Roma. The church is dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene. A beautiful oddity. In the end, I highly recommend a visit to L'église de la Madeleine. Attend mass if you can and feel the spiritual energy from everywhere. To imagine Napoleon stood here - once the center of all of Europe. To imagine Chopin saying his final good bye as the choir sings to Mozart's Requiem. To imagine those that came before me, and those that will come after me. To witness such an architectural oddity in the busiest part of Paris gives me a curious smile... a smile just knowing I was here! Une femme est plus belle que le monde où je vis, et je ferme les yeux. A woman is more beautiful than the world in which I live, and so I close my eyes. Ahh the beautiful Mary Magdalene... you are so loved.

    Aaron S.

    A beautiful church and building, Église de la Madeleine is one of the less heard of attractions of Paris but it still has so much beauty and is rather impressive too. It dates back to the years of Napoleon in 1807 with a length of over 100 meters. In its present form, it was designed in its present form as a temple to the glory of Napoleon's army. It reminds me of an old-fashioned Roman building, and while it isn't the most exciting nor touristy attraction in the city, it's well worth a visit for sure. 4*

    Rabia J.

    Église de la Madeleine is the prefect church to go to if you want less tourists around while visiting. It was extremely quiet and peaceful when we went. There was maybe two other visitors inside. It is quite impressive and grand. The exterior is a neoclassical style temple and such a beautiful religious monument. Inside is just as amazing. One of the most significant pieces inside the church is the statue of Mary Magdalene made by Carlo Marochetti. The organ also is one of the best in Paris. Side Note: They have free concerts for classical music etc. Also they have paid concerts as well. It is such a beautiful place that it would be lovely to hear such an event. For more information check out the concert website. https://www.classictic.com/en/paris/eglise_de_la_madeleine/28/

    Outside the church
    Nathan D.

    Amazing church in the center of madeleine Very easy to find and worth the visit. Its filled with amazing art, sculpture, and architecture. A must see when in paris

    Statue of St. Paul Vicente (Sancto Vicente a Paulo) - L'église de la Madeleine (Madeleine Church)
    Michael S.

    If L'église de la Madeleine was in your hometown, the church would immediately be among the most majestic landmarks and tourist attractions throughout the city, but it's not. Church of St. Mary Magdalene is in Paris, France which has so many more famous and much more touristy monuments. La Madeleine is just a church ... by which I mean it's just a huge historic Roman Catholic cathedral consecrated in 1842 with an acclaimed organ and inspirational artwork in a triple-domed building designed for Napoleon and surrounded by 52 neo-classical 65-foot-tall Corinthian columns. We popped in on a Sunday evening when services were ending and found the impressive architecture and dimly lit interior poignant and provoking. With just a single nave and towering altar featuring a dramatic statue of Mary Magdalene under a dome with a fresco telling the history of Christianity by Jules-Claude Ziegler. Above the main entrance is the pipe organ built by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll in 1845 and restored several times since. The Church is free to visit and open 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on most days. It may not have the fame of other sites in Paris, but the wow-factor plus religious-peacefulness make Église de la Madeleine a memorable destination to rival any in Paris.

    Adrienne G.

    Strolling around Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, we come upon this pretty church - Église de la Madeleine Very Greek in appearance & sitting alone on the block, as we crossed to discover what's inside, we are very impressed The landscaping as you're walking up to the church is beautiful w/ all kinds of red flowers & the inside was very peaceful & inviting Modern music from a clarinet w/ people in the audience enjoying the performance, this church appears to be multipurpose & I totally appreciate that Very nice spot for a musical performance or service or a rest from the hub-bub of the city

    I wasn't lying about the rhubarb in the flower display
    Julie R.

    Being in Paris on the hottest day of the year I'm so pleased I had sussed out there was going to be a FREE (yes free) concert in here that day. It was undergoing some restoration so we didn't see it in it's full glory but what we did see was amazing. Greek design exterior with the impressive stairs outside covered with flowers and rhubarb, I kid you not made for a lovely walk up them. Inside is impressive, with a long nave and high ceiling. To the sides are various shrines and some very modern sculptures nestling beside more traditional ones. We were really lucky to hear a French Canadian choir the day we went and it's worth checking the church's calendar to find out if there is anything on when you visit Paris as the sound is amazing.

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    11 years ago

    Nice church. It has a wonderful exterior. The interior is standard.

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    They often do concerts inside, so check with Classictic.

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    Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre - @endoedibles on Instagram 03/10/26

    Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre

    4.5(635 reviews)
    2.3 kmMontmartre, 18ème

    I've been to Montmartre a few times over the years and can't quite say whether I've been inside the…read moreSacré-Coeur. If I have, it was well over a decade ago, and I have seen many churches in the intervening years. What I do know is that I've stood outside it several times, to admire the church as well as the iconic view of Paris from its front steps. We had intended to go inside the basilica on our recent family visit, but we had a sick child and the line was long and exposed to the sun. There were a ton of people up there, as dense a crowd as we saw all trip, everyone trying to enjoy the same viewpoint. Luckily, there was plenty of that to go around. We spent some time admiring the city and taking pictures (my father-in-law's one souvenir was that we send him a family photo from Sacré-Coeur), then wound our way downhill through charming Montmartre. Maybe next time I'll venture into the church, but it's worth going just to walk around outside.

    Sacre Couer on the hill of Monmartre provides the best 360 degree views of the city of Paris,…read moreparticularly if you venture to climb the 300 steps to the top dome (for 7 euros). Entrance to the basilica is free, and it's opened from 6am until 10:30pm. It was built with the "self cleaning" Chateau-Lando stone from France, and the rain and weathering keeps it white. Crowds linger on the steps and around the overlook areas. Vendors try to sell you cheap locks to put on the surrounding fencing (the locks covering the fences-even with signs saying "no locks permitted" are an eyesore and should be removed). Security line checks are long and in February 2026 we waited about 30 or 40 mins to enter. I can only imagine what chaos it is in the high season. The basicalla is beautful inside and well worth checking out, although quiet and repect are required as there are masses going on. For this visit the crypt was not available to enter, which was highly disappointing There is also a small train trolly like vehicle right outside that will take you on a 30 minute ride around Monmartre for 12 euros. We thought it was a bit cheesey and touristy at first, but it really was worth it! Sacre couer is majestically beautiful!

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    Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre - @endoedibles on Instagram 03/10/26

    @endoedibles on Instagram 03/10/26

    Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre - @endoedibles on Instagram 03/10/26

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    Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre - @endoedibles on Instagram 03/10/26

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    @endoedibles on Instagram 03/10/26

    Église de la Madeleine - landmarks - Updated August 2026

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