Église Sainte-Madeleine - Troyes

Of all the churches in Troyes, Sainte-Madeleine is perhaps the oldest and certainly one of the most beautiful.

It is mentioned in 1157 : its construction dates from 1120, but it was rebuilt around 1200 in the Gothic style that was just emerging in France.

The apse and choir were renovated again around 1500 in the flamboyant Gothic style of the time. The square Renaissance tower dates from 1525, as does the richly carved gate to the former cemetery to the right of the entrance (now the Jardin des Innocents). The main portal of the church was rebuilt in the 17th century and the nave was restored in the 19th century.

Sainte-Madeleine is notable for its famous rood screen and the stained glass windows in the choir , masterpieces of exceptional finesse that visitors can admire at a glance.

Only a handful of religious buildings in France still have a rood screen , a stone platform built between the nave and the choir to support a choir and/or officers who address the faithful. Around 1503, the clergy of Sainte-Madeleine called on local craftsmen to replace the old wooden rood screen. At the same time, the chapter of Troyes Cathedral was looking for an architect to build the portal.

Jean Gailde, who had helped build the choir of Sainte-Madeleine, was rejected for the cathedral, but was chosen here. It is said that he wanted to avenge his dismissal by the canons by excelling in the creation of the stone lacework that can be seen today. He was both a designer and a sculptor and was buried under his masterpiece . The rood screen was originally polychrome, but like all the walls of the church it was whitewashed in the 18th century.

In the choir of the church are beautiful examples of early Renaissance stained glass of the Trojan School, characterized by strong design, vivid colors and great technical refinement. See the beautiful Tree of Jesse (early 16th century), Genesis, or The Pearls of Saint Eloi, which show the work of a goldsmith's workshop, a stained glass window made in 1506 by Nicolas Cordonnier for this guild.

Willem Vandenameele