2 weeks in France-5-26 to 6/8/2022
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Paris-6/3/2022 Coffee shops/Pere La Chaise/Lunch Centre Pompidou Dinner au Pasage |
Paris-6/4/2022 Stroll in Paris Family get together |
Troyes-6/5/2022 Old town |
Troyes-6/6/2022 Troyes Cathedral Jardin des plantes Lunch in the old town Lake Orient |
Paris-6/7/2022 Paris Landmarks Church La Madeleine Dinner at Caillebotte |
Paris-6/8/2022 Eiffel Tower Jardins du Trocadero Walking around/Lunch Church of Saint Gervais Dinner at Frenchie |
Paris, France-6/2/2022 to 6/8/2022
La Madeleine-6/7/2022
La Madeleine is a church dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. Its style is Neo-Classical and it was inspired by the Maison Carrée in Nimes. When La Madeleine was built, it was intended as a temple to honor the glory of Napoleon’s army.
In 1806, Napoleon decided
that a Temple de la Gloire de la Grande Armée (Temple to
the Glory of the Great Army) was to be built.
Pierre-Alexandre Barthelemy Vignon was commissioned for the work and he based
his design on an antique temple. Once again, the previous structure was razed
so that a fresh start could be made. Unfortunately, Vignon also died before
completing the project. During the period of his successor, it was briefly
suggested that the building could be used as a train station.
La Madeleine is a popular sightseeing attraction with visitors to Paris. Located in the Opera quarter. Fifty-two giant Corinthian columns encircle the entire exterior of the building.
La Madeleine is under renovation at this time and it is interesting that they cover the facade with an huge add from Louis Vuitton covering the whole facade.
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Entering the church.
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Monumental bronze doors which bas reliefs representing the Ten Commandments by Henri de Triqueti Its size is 354 feet long and 141 feet wide.
The church has a single nave with three domes which are lavishly gilded in Renaissance style.
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Statue of the Marriage of the Virgin Mary to Joseph.
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Baptism of Jesus by Saint John the Baptist by François Rude 1841
The work was commissioned by the French Ministry of the Interior in 1838 and the marble version was installed in 1841.
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Magnificent domes and the view of the nave from the entrance door.
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The main Nave with Mary Magdalena statue in the center.
In the center of the altar is Charles Marochetti’s Mary Magdalene being carried up to heaven by two angels.
Half-dome is decorated by a fresco by Jules-Claude Ziegler called “The History of Christianity”. It shows pro-eminent figures of the Christian faith with Napoleon in its center.
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Closer view of the fresco and you can clearly see Napoleon in he center with a red coat.
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A sculpture of Mary Magdalene.
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La Madeleine’s pipe organ is regarded to be one of the best in Paris. Famous composers like Camille Saint-Saëns and Gabriel Fauré have all played the organ here. The church lends itself as an outstanding venue for classical concerts and organ recitals and many are frequently held here.
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View of the organ above the main portico from the Nave.
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In 1846, the great organ of Cavaillé-Coll (famous organ maker) was installed. It was originally constituted of 48 organ stops and has now 60 of them, which make for 4,426 pipes!
Johnny Hallyday, the French rock legend Funeral was held here at La Madeleine in December 2017.
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5 years later, the church still reserve a place dedicated to him so that his fan can stop by and pay respect.
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We are now leaving the church
NEXT.... Dinner at Caillebotte