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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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    Opéra National de Paris - Palais Garnier - The Opera house library.

    Opéra National de Paris - Palais Garnier

    4.6(282 reviews)
    0.6 kmOpéra, 9ème

    Wow what a beauty of a building!!…read more I cannot emphasize enough how much you should go visit this place Specifically you should book the mystery tour held at 5pm which boasts a behind the scenes look at the Paris Opera House and its beautiful Grand Foyer(note- you may recognize the famous steps from Emily in Paris ) It's a group tour - but it's after hours so it's definitely limited people and less tourists then during the day and I loved it- The guides were great , you get an ear piece to listen to in multiple languages I would love to come back and see an actual show someday

    When visiting Paris, we wanted to attend a performance at the historic Opera National de Paris -…read morePalais Garnier but we could not get tickets a month before (appeared it needs to be preplanned four to six months ahead) so we decided to go on a tour. I had wanted to see the opera house for about 15 years and did not have a chance-we were very happy with our experience! The opera house is located at Place de l'Opéra in the 9th arrondissement of Paris and the tour entrance is in the back side of the building. There are a variety of tours but we selected a guided tour so there could be allot of interaction and added information - it was well worth it! Tours are available from It is generally open from 10 am to 5 pm (last admission one hour before closing), though the auditorium may be closed unpredictably due to rehearsals. We were on a guided tour and they allowed us in during one of the rehearsals although we could not speak. Having visited many opera houses in the past including London, Vienna, Prague, etc. this one was very impressive. The Grand Staircase, museum, foyer, and addition displays are amazing. Well worth the visit!

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    Opéra National de Paris - Palais Garnier - Take 6/27/24-The Grand Staircase

    Take 6/27/24-The Grand Staircase

    Opéra National de Paris - Palais Garnier - Amazing design and interior!

    Amazing design and interior!

    Opéra National de Paris - Palais Garnier - 2025 Christmas tree

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    Quartier Latin - Oh! Si tu pouvais lire dans mon coeur, tu verrais la place où je t'ai mise! So I wander...

    Quartier Latin

    4.7(9 reviews)
    2.7 kmSaint-Michel/Odéon, 5ème

    Part of the oldest area of Paris the Latin Quarter or 5th Arrondisement is so unique and…read moreinteresting you must visit Tons of old cobblestone side alleys with bars,cafes,bistros, and shops it is truly one of a kind

    Latin Quarter, Paris, France. 5th arrondissement…read more Oh! Si tu pouvais lire dans mon coeur, tu verrais la place où je t'ai mise! Oh! If you could read my heart, you would see the place that I keep you.. so I wander.. A cool, old, very old neighborhood in Paris. I'm usually in the Montmartre, Madeleine, or Pyramids areas of Paris, so for me, crossing Le Seine River is the first step before any steps are in Quartier Latin. Wandering Quartier Latin was fun for me. Passing historical landmarks such as the Natural History Museum, the Panthéon, Medieval Musée de Cluny with the Lady and the Unicorn Tapestries that dates to circa 1511, to more modern destinations like the Shakespeare & Company English Bookstore, which dates to 1911 and seems so beautifully out of place. Just walking the streets you can find yourself in well known movie spots, like the Rue Mouffetard - Market Street, where Julia Child listed as her favorite outdoor market. The same streets made popular by Meryl Streep seen shopping in Julie and Julia! Oui, oui! In the end, I encourage you to stroll through Quartier Latin. One of the most architectural preserved arrondissement in all of Paris and it's absolutely free! Wanderlust like I did and find cobblestone streets filled with history and character! Voltaire sleeps for eternity at the Panthéon and so does Madame Curie. Oh! If you could read my heart... IG: @eric_travel_guru

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    Quartier Latin
    Quartier Latin - Oh! Si tu pouvais lire dans mon coeur, tu verrais la place où je t'ai mise! So I wander...

    Oh! Si tu pouvais lire dans mon coeur, tu verrais la place où je t'ai mise! So I wander...

    Quartier Latin - Oh! Si tu pouvais lire dans mon coeur, tu verrais la place où je t'ai mise! So I wander...

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    Oh! Si tu pouvais lire dans mon coeur, tu verrais la place où je t'ai mise! So I wander...

    Église de la Madeleine - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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