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The Church of the Madeleine is getting a makeover in 2026!

undefined undefined 23 décembre 2025 undefined 08h30

The Editor

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After the spectacular renovation of its south façade, completed in 2024, the Church of La Madeleine is preparing to enter a new phase of work starting in the summer of 2026. This time, it's the north façade, on the Rue Tronchet side, that will be restored over 16 months. The goal is to erase the signs of time and rebalance the appearance of one of Paris's most emblematic monuments.

Since spring 2024, the south facade of the Madeleine church, facing Rue Royale and Place de la Concorde, has regained its pristine whiteness. A much-needed facelift, completed just before the Olympic Games, that has restored the shine to this 19th-century neoclassical masterpiece.

But as you walk around the building, the contrast is striking today. The north facade, facing Rue Tronchet, shows darker stone, marked by pollution and decades without renovation. Even the Christmas decorations set up at the end of the year can’t hide this difference in hue, which has become obvious to both passersby and the faithful. This « visual asymmetry »

has speeded up the decision to launch a new project.


A delicate restoration for an extraordinary monument

Inspired by the ancient Greek temples, the church of La Madeleine is surrounded by 52 Corinthian columns and requires extremely precise interventions. Previous work had already revealed the complexity of the project: symbolically kicked off in 1998 with the installation of scaffolding, it only really began in 2022.

For the north facade, the teams will need to thoroughly clean the stone, repair the weakened elements, and apply protective treatments against urban aggressions. Drawing on the experience gained from the renovation of the south facade, the companies hope to stick to a tighter schedule this time.

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Advertising banner, duration of the work, and public access

The funding for the work will partially rely on the installation of a 700 m² advertising banner on the scaffolding. This is a commonly used solution in Paris to support the restoration of heritage, eff.It's striking but sometimes criticized for its temporary visual impact.

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The work is expected to last around 16 months starting from the summer of 2026, with completion anticipated in autumn 2027, depending on the usual challenges. The good news is: just like during previous renovations, the Madeleine Church will remain accessible. Religious ceremonies, visitsand concerts should be kept going, allowing the audience to continue enjoying this iconic place, even while it's undergoing a transformation.