Paris - Eglise de la Madeleine

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the building came to a standstill, and various plans for converting it for use as a stock exchange, parliament building or bank were considered and rejected. In 1806 Napoleon resolved to build a Hall of Fame for the army in the style of the Parthenon in Athens; then, shortly before his abdication, reverted to the idea of a church. After the Restoration Louis XVIII wanted to make it a church of atonement for the Revolution. Finally, in the reign of Louis-Philippe, the church was at last completed in its present form and consecrated in 1842.

In the pediment on the main front is a representation of the Last Judgment (by Philippe- Henri Lemaire, 1833; restored 1991-93). On the bronze door are reliefs related to the Ten Commandments.

The vestibule, the nave and the semicircular choir receive light through three large domes, with fine 19th century sculpture, including François Rude's "Baptism of Christ". In the spandrels are reliefs of the 12 Apostles, and on the high altar is a marble group (1837) representing the assumption of Mary Magdalene into heaven. Over the altar is a gigantic fresco depicting Constantine the Great, Frederick Barbarossa, Joan of Arc, St Louis, Michelangelo, Raphael, Dante, Cardinal Richelieu, Napoleon and other leading figures in western history. There is a famous Cavaillé-Coll organ on which there are periodic recitals.