Eglise de la Madeleine (Church of the Madeleine), Aix-en-Provence

The Eglise de la Madeleine (Church of the Madeleine) can be found in Preachers Square in Aix, next to the former Preachers Convent, now a public school. The Dominican church and convent were built in the 13th century. The church, originally a Gothic-style building, burned in 1383. Rebuilt, it came down again in 1465.

The present church dates from 1703. The religious edifice was designed by the local architect Laurent Vallon. The facade of the building, a sample of the Second Empire style, was created by architect Henri Revoil. The exterior has an awesome retable showing the Annunciation. The interior of the church is enormous but in the plain Dominican spirit.

The church houses an exceptional collection of sacred art, including the altar statue of Our Lady of the Graces, given by Saint Bonaventura. Paintings inside include The Death of St Joseph by Jean-Baptiste van Loo; Magdelene at the home of Simon by Michel Serre; the Annunciations Tryptych by Barthelemy d'Eyck; and works by Jean Daret.

Paul Cezanne was baptized in the church, as was his elder sister Marie. His parents were married here. His younger sister Rose was also married in the church to attorney Maxime Conil in 1881.