The Madeleine Church

The neo-classic church of Sainte Marie Madeleine is in the north of the Concorde Square at the end of the Royal street. Built in the style of the Greek Temples, it was devoted in 1842 after almost a century radical modification and delay of construction.

The original plans were inspired as of the Saint-Louis Church of the Invalides. A new architect, Couture, decided to knock down what was undertaken in order to build a building inspired of the Pantheon. Works were stopped between 1790 and 1806 and several projects were elaborate.

Napoleon decided to set up at this place a temple with the glory of the Grande Armée and entrusted Vignon to this mission. The building was thus knocked down once again and began works of the temple Greek. Louis XVIII confirmed, in 1814, the vocation of church of the Madeleine.

In 1837, the building failed to be transformed into railstation to accomodate the first railway line (between Paris and Saint-Germain). In 1842, the church was devoted.The church is surrounded by 52 columns rising with 20 meters height. The monumental staircase in southern part offer one of the most beautiful perspective of Paris, along the Royal street, through the Concorde Square, crossing the Seine, to the National Assembly.