[HIGHLIGHTS] “25 years of scaffolding, that was no longer possible”: in Paris, the Madeleine church regains its “shine”

The main facade of this emblematic church of the capital was inaugurated this Wednesday after a two-year project worth 1 million euros. The operation costing 10 million euros - including 9.8 million financed by a giant advertising banner - made it possible to completely restore 16 of the 52 columns which surround the monument.

With, on average, 700,000 visitors per year, the Madeleine is the third most visited religious monument in the capital, after Notre-Dame and the Sacré-Cœur. “For many Parisians, it is the true capital of Paris,” insisted Mgr Patrick Chauvet.