Madeleine temple

The Église de la Madeleine (Church of the Madeleine) occupies a relatively large site in the block adjacent to the Palais Garnier (the Opera House).
Construction of the church began under the orders of Napoleon I as a monument to honor fallen French soldiers; however, following Napoleon's downfall, it was eventually completed as a church in 1842 under the reign of Louis XVIII.
Its most striking feature is undoubtedly its exterior, which resembles a Greek temple. The 52 Corinthian columns, standing 30 meters tall, are a magnificent sight that makes the building instantly recognizable even from a distance. Consequently, it serves as a useful landmark for sightseeing amidst the uniform architecture of Paris.
While the exterior is so impressive that it hardly feels like a church, the atmosphere shifts to that of a place of worship once you step inside. Dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene, the church houses statues depicting her. It also displays numerous artworks that are well worth seeing. Conversely, the area outside evokes a strong sense of a war memorial; there is a space for laying floral tributes at the front, offering an impression distinct from that of a typical church.
While you might want to get up close to the building, the traffic in the area is intense, making it somewhat difficult to approach. Since it is a massive structure visible without crossing the street, simply admiring the exterior from the surrounding area is a perfectly good way to experience it.