Place de la Concorde & La Madeleine, Paris

(Vintage postcard image from AllPosters)

Place de la Concorde is one of the major 

public squares in Paris. (an octagon of 20 acres!)  

It's located in the 9th arrondissement between  

the Tuleries Gardens and the Champs-Elysees. 

(I think of arrondissements as zip code sections) 
It's just down the road from the Eiffel Tower, 
across the Seine River. 

Concorde holds a huge amount of history 
that I didn't know about until we went there. 
Who knew? 

(Google image)

It was originally named 
Place Louis XV, built in 1755.  
A statue of Louie XV was erected in the center.
(even though he wasn't their favorite king) 

(Google search)

 Then in 1792 it became 
Place de la Revolution where the 
people erected the Guillotine. (After they 
got rid of the old statue of course!)

(Google image)

This was the site of execution for 

Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette, 
Princess Elizabeth of France, Charlotte Corday, 
Madame du Barry, and so many more.
 The thought of standing in the square 
where these famous people met their end 
was rather ominous for me. 

Skip forward to 1795 and it was renamed 
Place de la Concorde, meaning harmony, 
as a gesture of reconciliation after 
the turmoil of the French Revolution. 
(minus the guillotine) 
Well it changed 2 more times and finally 
settled into being Place de la Concorde. 
Make up your mind!  

(Google image)

The center of the Place is occupied by 

a giant Egyptian obelisk containing 

hieroglyphics from the reign of 

Ramses II. 

It once marked the entrance to 

the Luxor Temple. The 3,300 year old 

obelisk was a gift to France from Egypt 

in 1829 and arrived in France in 1833. 

I've always been intrigued by Egyptian 

artifacts and this did not disappoint!

As you turn towards Rue Royale you see 

an incredible fountain, known as 

Fontaine des Fleuves or 

Fountain of Rivers.  

From Place de Concorde we walked 

up Rue Royale to La Madeleine. 

The most incredible shops were on our 

way to La Madeleine! Too many to 

recall but who could forget the 

famous Maxim's Restaurant?

(Google image)

$$$ No we didn't eat there! $$$

Cha-ching! 

Did I mention there's a LOT of walking 

in Paris? 

Let's travel on to an incredible church, 

Eglise La Madeleine! 

(Eglise is church in French) 

(Google image)

La Madeleine is a Roman-Catholic church. 

It's so grand looking with all it's stately columns! 

Let's go in... 

Marie asked me to look for an angel for her 

while in Paris and as we entered there she was.

She was magnificent! 

Next to her were candles you could light 
to remember your loved ones. 
So of course, we lit a candle for Marie.

 It's so lovely seeing all the lit candles, 
knowing they represent 
prayers streaming up to our Lord. 

This place was beautiful and huge. 

(Google image) 

The feeling was so calm and peaceful. 

There were many incredible side alters 
with impressive statues of the saints. 

Words can't even describe the beauty we 

saw in this place called La Madeleine. 

We leave refreshed and ready for our 
trek back to our hotel, our little haven in Paris. 

(Google image)

I love this painting I stumbled upon of 
the Rue Royale leading to La Madeleine 
and knew I wanted to share this 
special feeling of Paris with you! 

Next I think we'll be visiting the very famous 
Notre Dame Cathedral. 

You could spend a week in Paris just visiting 
the beautiful historic churches and not see 
them all! 

Blessings to each and every one of you, 
Edie & Marie
XOXO

Note: Some images were taken from Google to give
you a better look at the Parisian sites. Some of them
are my own photos.