La Madeleine, Paris
La Madeleine
La Madeleine
4.5
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Churches & Cathedrals
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A beautiful church built by Napoleon in honor of his troops.
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Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighborhood: 8th Arr. - Élysée
How to get there
- Madeleine • 2 min walk
- Concorde • 5 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles

Frog Hop House
639
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Brew Pub • Bar

Pur' - Jean-François Rouquette
1,222
0.3 mi$$$$ • French • European • Healthy

Contraste
148
0.2 mi$$$$ • French • Healthy

L'Espadon
296
0.2 mi$$$$ • French • European • Vegetarian Friendly

Sur Mesure par Thierry Marx
1,026
0.2 mi$$$$ • French • European • Vegetarian Friendly

Flottes
1,949
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly

Restaurant Akrame
589
513 ft$$$$ • French • European • Vegetarian Friendly

Le Baudelaire
451
0.2 mi$$$$ • French • European

Ao Izakaya
634
0.2 mi$$$$ • Japanese • Asian • Fusion

Chez Monsieur
459
489 ft$$ - $$$ • French • European • Vegetarian Friendly
Attractions
3,936 within 6 miles

Statue Jeanne d'Arc
2
95 ftMonuments & Statues

Galerie de la Madeleine
5
388 ftNeighborhoods • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Palais Garnier
19,575
0.3 miArchitectural Buildings • Theaters

Musee du Parfum - Fragonard
1,079
0.2 miSpeciality Museums
Chemin des Vignes
1
0.1 miWineries & Vineyards

Robespierre's House
19
0.1 miHistoric Sites

L'Olympia
389
0.2 miTheaters

Musee de l'Orangerie
17,258
0.4 miSpeciality Museums

Théâtre des Mathurins
129
0.2 miTheaters

Place Vendome
1,137
0.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,241 reviews
Excellent
1,052
Very good
925
Average
242
Poor
14
Terrible
9
1TraveltheWorld
Alice Springs, Australia11,735 contributions
Feb 2022
The Eglise de la Madeleine is situated near the Place de la Concorde.
This magnificent church hosts many classical music concerts and operas throughout the year.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t one available while we were visiting here.
But it is still worth a visit to see the grand architecture.
This magnificent church hosts many classical music concerts and operas throughout the year.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t one available while we were visiting here.
But it is still worth a visit to see the grand architecture.
Written March 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lynne54
Toronto, Canada6 contributions
Nov 2019 • Solo
I have attended two Classictic concerts here in November 2017 and November 2019. The acoustics were very powerful. The Church looks like a Greek Temple on the outside. Inside is spacious. Despite its cavernous appearance, the statue of Mary at the altar is quite luminous and breathtaking. A tremendous amount of history lies within these walls. Well worth the visit.
Written April 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Wander & Wonder
Singapore, Singapore1,643 contributions
Jan 2020
We went to visit the La Madeleine (or Madeleine Church) which is a Roman Catholic church. The main entrance faces the Place de la Concorde. Inside it is a very beautiful church with a statue of Madeleine at the altar. You can pick up a English self-guide and walk around the church in anti-clockwise direction to understand the statues around the church. Must visit and see.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Vadim
Murmansk, Russia22,385 contributions
Oct 2019
The Church was considered the most prestigious wedding venue in Paris after Notre-Dame. So now it is probably number 1. Madeleine is an abbreviated Mary Magdalene, who, according to legend, ended her earthly life on the territory of France, as Dan Brown wrote so fascinatingly in his bestseller "The da Vinci Code". The Church is associated with the name of Napoleon, but it is fair to say that construction began in 1764 under Louis XV. It was suspended in 1790 due to the revolution. If the revolution did not need religion at all, then the military dictatorship of Napoleon did, but in a specific sense. The "little corporal", who by that time had become the Emperor, ordered to demolish everything that had been built before him and create a Church dedicated to the Grand army, taking as a model the ancient Square house in Nimes. The Madeleine was much larger than the Maison de Carre built in Nimes.Madeleine didn`t evoke associations with Maison de Carre, seen for 2 years before. Maybe because of the high pedestal of the latter. The Church was completed in 1842. The Church doesn`t cause awe. All very pompous. Perhaps Bonaparte's militaristic spirit has not evaporated....But
La Madeleine is a part of UNESCO World Heritage site Banks of the Seine....
La Madeleine is a part of UNESCO World Heritage site Banks of the Seine....
Written September 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia38,887 contributions
Oct 2019
We walked past La Madeleine several times during our stay in Paris, as our hotel was near by. It is a classical building,with its distinctive Corinthian columns. The original aim was for this building to be a sort of triumphal reminder of Napoleon's army. It ended up being a church. And it is a really magnificent building.
Written September 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA12,678 contributions
Jul 2021
This church has always been very dark and gloomy on visits.. It looks like an ancient Greek temple or government building, very imposing. Set in a busy yet cold square with a lot of traffic. If they are open, the outdoor bathrooms are worth a visit for the interior design.
Written July 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA12,678 contributions
Nov 2019
A very historic church from the era of Napoleon. It is very grand and in the middle of one of the centers of town with traffic all around and a major intersection of Metro lines. Some classic food shops around. But inside is very dark and dreary, almost in need of a cleaning.
Written September 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Albywon
Sydney, Australia11,584 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
Visiting today, first time since May 2017 when I attended a concert here.
Lots of Covid-19 signs with every other seat blocked off.
The interior is without peer, Grand in every way.
The organist was practicing when we visited. - it was awesome.
Lots of Covid-19 signs with every other seat blocked off.
The interior is without peer, Grand in every way.
The organist was practicing when we visited. - it was awesome.
Written July 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA12,678 contributions
Oct 2019
This huge church from the Napoleon era is imposing as it takes up a big busy square. It is the parish church for a prosperous neighborhood. To me it's too dark and cold, not at all pretty. Always seems a big dirty. Some good shopping nearby.
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Philippe B
Toulouse, France5,770 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
This church is not the nicest in Paris but is interesting because of its neoclassical style. It was built at the beginning of the 19th century on the model of La Maison Carrée in Nîmes, that is an actual Roman temple.
62 Corinthian columns support the whole church. Inside, the main points of interest are the statue by Charles Marochetti depicting Mary Magdalene being lifted up by angels and the pipe organ, built by Aristide Cavaillé in 1845.
Interesting visit.
62 Corinthian columns support the whole church. Inside, the main points of interest are the statue by Charles Marochetti depicting Mary Magdalene being lifted up by angels and the pipe organ, built by Aristide Cavaillé in 1845.
Interesting visit.
Written December 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lawrence V
High Point, NC396 contributions
How much time should we allocate to see this church?
Jeffry B
Melbourne, Australia4 contributions
This is an historic church, I'd say around half an hour at the most to see what you need to see.
Carmen
Caguas, Puerto Rico10 contributions
Is there a dress code for the concerts? We are planning to attend Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in May.
maltese632017
Norwich, UK1,131 contributions
Ye,s smart casual, like everywhere in Paris. You don't have to overdo it but you need to look clean and respectable!
josselinezabel
Colombes, France67 contributions
est-ce vrai que vendredi il y aura une messe pour johnny ? si oui à quelle heure merci par avance !
rlf29
Ploneour Lanvern, France1,902 contributions
Je ne sais pas
bahar686868
Tehran, Iran1 contribution
What time is open and close for visit?
And evry days is open to visit?
Lydia B
36 contributions
I believe it is open every day 9:30 am to 7 pm.
bahar686868
Tehran, Iran1 contribution
What time is open and close for visit?
And evry days is open to visit?
cleyes1939
San Francisco, CA6 contributions
The church is usually open daily. I don't know the exact hours but at least from 8 am to 6 pm and later if there any concert or event. If there is a wedding in progress, that would be a great time. A wedding here is usually quite stylish.
mine1rocks
Perth, Australia
are you allowed to take photos inside
PeaceGo
Singapore, Singapore252 contributions
Yes
Ricardo Garita
Tres Rios, Costa Rica225 contributions
has anybody atended the "Four Seasons" performance at this Church? Is it any good?
Colin M
Patras, Greece1,343 contributions
Hello tarigax
Tripadvisor passed your question on to me. I'm afraid I don't know - I haven't heard it! I can say that the acoustics are good, the seating adequate, and visibility should be OK. The music is performed by "Les Violons de France". You can see them on Youtube - including a short extract of the Vivaldi played in La Madeleine.
Frequently Asked Questions about La Madeleine
- We recommend booking La Madeleine tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 7 La Madeleine tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near La Madeleine:
- (0.06 mi) Fauchon L'Hotel Paris
- (0.09 mi) Hôtel Opéra Richepanse
- (0.09 mi) Hotel de Seze
- (0.06 mi) Hotel Madeleine Plaza
- (0.10 mi) Hotel du Triangle d'Or
- Restaurants near La Madeleine:
- (0.01 mi) Foyer de la Madeleine
- (0.03 mi) Le Paris London
- (0.03 mi) Café Prunier
- (0.10 mi) Restaurant Akrame
- (0.09 mi) Chez Monsieur
- Attractions near La Madeleine:
- (0.02 mi) Statue Jeanne d'Arc
- (0.13 mi) Paris by Scooter
- (0.05 mi) Boutique Maille
- (0.05 mi) Maison de la Truffe
- (0.08 mi) Ban Sin Thai