La Madeleine: the Paris church that holds St Mary Magdalene

Aimee Boudreaux MacIver
13 hours ago
3 min read

St Mary Magdalene in Paris

In a city famous for Gothic cathedrals and soaring spires, La Madeleine feels almost out of place. Its Greco-Roman façade looks more like a temple, museum, or government building than a Catholic church. Fifty-two towering Corinthian columns surround the building like a marble forest.

From the outside, you probably wouldn’t guess La Madeleine is a Catholic church at all, much less one that holds a rare and profound treasure: the bone of St Mary Magdalene.

Mais oui: not far from the Arc de Triomphe, the Opera Garnier, and the Champs Elysees, you can also behold the woman who witnessed both the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.

How did St Mary Magdalene end up in Paris?

Ancient Provencal tradition holds that in the days of the early Church after Jesus ascended, Mary fled persecution with fellow disciples (perhaps Mary and Lazarus). They left by boat and landed in Roman Gaul, now present-day Provence. There, Mary spent the rest of her life traveling and evangelizing. At the end, she retreated to a cave to pray and do penance before her death. In 1279 her relics were discovered in a medieval crypt. Her skull remained in Provence at the Basilica of Saint-Maximin la Sainte-Baume, where it is positioned to sit upright and dressed in gold veils. (Y’all, come on. You know you love it. Nobody does weird like the Catholics.)

Meanwhile, St Mary Magdalene’s relic held at La Madeleine is a large bone fragment. And if you’re in Paris, you can kneel to pray before it—part of the very body that first embraced the risen Jesus.

The story of Eglise de la Madeleine

Like St Mary Madgalenet, La Madeleine has passed through many conversions. It originated as a tiny medieval chapel dedicated to St Mary Magdalene. Other, bigger churches took its place over the centuries until Louis XV ordered the construction of a proper basilica in the 1760s. But the architect soon died, leaving only a foundation and shell. Then the French Revolution canceled the whole project. In 1806, Napoleon decided to use the foundation for a Greek-style “Temple of Glory” to honor his armies. He managed to raise the Corinthians columns, pediments, and walls before he ran out of money and abandoned it. The Church took back the failed monument and reconsecrated it as a church in 1842.

What to see in Eglise de la Madeleine

When you climb the endless marble steps and enter La Madeleine, a world of breathtaking sacred beauty enfolds you. Above the high altar, a monumental sculpture by Carlo Marochetti shows Mary Magdalene lifted toward heaven by angels. Huge white sculptures anchor every arc of the enormous walls, depicting the wedding of Joseph and Mary, the baptism of Jesus, and countless saints. Three domes pour light into the dark.

St Mary Magdalene’s relic is located along the right wall. You’ll see signs clearly pointing the way. My favorite element is the sculpture of risen Jesus in the garden, set right over her reliquary.

La Madeleine also hosts regular classical concerts—a musical feast amid the church’s amazing acoustics. You can see the schedule of concerts and buy tickets here.

How to visit La Madeleine

Location: Eglise de Madeleine, Paris
Hours: 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
- Check Mass, prayer, rosary, and Confession times here.
Admission: Free
Nearest transportation: Metro Madeleine or Concorde station
Recommended time: 1-2 hours, including time for other points of interest in the basilica (add another hour or two if you want to attend Mass)
Recommended ages: All, including children
When to go: The basilica is not usually overcrowded, so stop in when you’re around the 8th for other sites (nearby: Champs Elysees, Opera Garnier, Galeries Lafayette, Arc de Triomphe, Printemps department store)

A pilgrimage with St Mary Magdalene

La Madeleine makes a perfect beginning or conclusion to a pilgrimage in the footsteps of St Mary Magdalene. Via train, you can connect from La Madeleine in Paris to her sites in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume. If you'd like to plan a special pilgrimage, we can design a fully personalized itinerary and experience for your family or group. Let's plan!