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La Madeleine

La Madeleine, Paris

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La Madeleine

See all things to do
See all things to do
La Madeleine
4.5
2,241
#84 of 3,353 things to do in Paris
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Churches & Cathedrals
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About
A beautiful church built by Napoleon in honor of his troops.
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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
See all
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
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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
Grand architecture
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.
Written March 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lynne54
Toronto, Canada6 contributions
Majestic with Powerful Acoustics
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
La Madeleine
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
Part of UNESCO World Heritage site Banks of the Seine....
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....
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
Impressive building
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
Not My Favorite
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
Historic Church
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
Completely OTT...I love it!
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.
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
Dark and Imposing
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
Interesting church
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.
Written December 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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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