Église de la Madeleine
Rue de la Madeleine, 81000 Albi
The church of the Madeleine (19th century) in the wide forecourt with trees was built under the Second Empire to replace the old church of the Griffoul, according to the plans of the architect Rivet of Toulouse. At that time, the church of the Madeleine in Paris had just been completed (1842). The parishioners of the Madeleine d'Albi will try to make their church an «imitation» of the Madeleine of Paris whose plans date back to 1810\. This may explain the style of our church rather «First Empire», rather unexpected in the middle of the 19th century.
The facade has a double colonnade. This facade was initially blind. The current canopy locations were to be occupied by niches such as those remaining on the upper floor. The iron cross on the forecourt occupied the central niche on the upper floor. Until 1860, the interior of the church remained entirely white, without wall paintings or stained glass. The main altar, a pulpit in white marble, some paintings and statues, the large crucifix,
©église de la Madeleine
