La Madeleine, Catholic church in 8th arrondissement, France
La Madeleine is a neoclassical church building in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, France, designed to resemble a Greek temple. The facade shows a colonnade of 52 Corinthian columns that wrap around all four sides of the rectangular structure.
The foundation stone was laid in 1764 under King Louis XV, but the revolutionary years brought several redesigns. Completion under King Louis-Philippe I took place only in 1842, nearly eight decades after construction began.
The name honors Mary Magdalene, and the interior feels like a Roman temple with high vaults and rich ornamentation. Regular organ concerts fill the space with music, and visitors sit on wooden benches to listen to the acoustics.
The building opens daily in the morning and closes in the evening, with access via Madeleine metro station. Visitors can walk freely through the main hall but should remain quiet during religious ceremonies.
The basement holds the Foyer de la Madeleine, a restaurant and community center that many visitors overlook. This area serves as a meeting point for local events and offers an unusual mix of religious space and social facility.
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