Panthéon

Overview

Dominating the peak of the Latin Quarter, the Panthéon is a massive, awe-inspiring neoclassical mausoleum. Originally built as a church, it functions today as a secular temple honoring the absolute greatest minds and heroes of the French Republic.

Highlights

• The Crypt: The somber, sprawling underground vault housing the tombs of Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Marie Curie, and Émile Zola.
• Foucault's Pendulum: A striking recreation of Léon Foucault's famous 1851 experiment proving the rotation of the Earth, hanging directly from the massive central dome.
• The Dome: Climb the colonnade surrounding the impressive triple-dome for fantastic views over the Left Bank.

History

Commissioned by King Louis XV in 1758 as a grand church dedicated to St. Genevieve. Completed just as the French Revolution erupted in 1789, the revolutionary government immediately repurposed it into a secular temple to honor "the great men to whom the fatherland is grateful."

Visitor Tips

• Architecture: Notice the massive Corinthian columns of the portico, directly inspired by the Pantheon in Rome.
• The Climb: Access to the dome requires navigating over 200 stairs, but the sweeping views are highly rewarding.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.