Madeleine

Madeleine station sits at the base of the Église de la Madeleine - a neo-classical building that looks exactly like the Parthenon and was intended, at various points in its construction history, to be a temple, a bank and a military hall of fame before finally being consecrated as a church in 1842. The facade of 52 Corinthian columns with no windows is entirely functional as architecture and entirely surprising in the middle of central Paris.

Place de la Madeleine surrounding the church is devoted to luxury food: Fauchon and Hédiard are among the finest épiceries in the world, selling truffles, champagne, foie gras and every conceivable preserved delicacy. The surrounding streets - Rue Royale, Boulevard de la Madeleine - are among the most expensive retail addresses in France.

Station Overview

Zone 1. Lines 8, 12 and 14. Step-free access on Line 14.

Travel Tips

• Fauchon at 24-26 Place de la Madeleine is worth visiting for the window displays and the experience - a luxury Parisian food institution since 1886
• The Madeleine church interior is richly decorated inside its austere exterior - free to enter
• Line 14 from here is the fastest route to Châtelet, Saint-Lazare and Gare de Lyon

Nearby Attractions

Église de la Madeleine - Directly above. Free to enter. The neo-classical exterior conceals a richly decorated interior with a barrel vault and Corinthian columns inside.

Fauchon and Hédiard - On Place de la Madeleine. Paris's most celebrated luxury food shops. Expensive to buy; remarkable to look at.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

Standard Métro hours. The luxury food shops are open Monday to Saturday. The December Christmas market on Place de la Madeleine is excellent.