Located in the Latin Quarter, the Panthéon honors the most important figures in French history. Transformed in the 18th century, this formerly religious building became a secular mausoleum. This change was inspired by ancient traditions, notably Egyptian and Greek, to pay tribute to the great men of a nation.
Indeed, before it became a monument to the great men of the French Republic, the Panthéon was a church. Here's how it all came about. In 1744, Louis XV decided to rebuild theChurch of Sainte-Geneviève, which was falling into ruin at the top of Montagne Sainte-Geneviève. Indeed, it pales in comparison with the beautiful church of Saint-Etienne-du-Mont. In 1764, the foundation stone was laid by the King himself.
The architect Jacques Germain Soufflot, a fervent admirer ofGreco-Roman architecture, chose to build it on a Greek cross plan, and the whole architectural style of the church is imbued with it, judging by its beautiful Corinthian columns.
A somewhat chaotic period followed. During the French Revolution, the building was stripped of its religious functions and turned into a temple to house the ashes of great men fighting for French freedom. Following renovations by De Quincy, the Panthéon was converted back into a church in 1806.
Secular under the July Monarchy, religious under Napoleon Bonaparte, then HQ of the insurgents during the Commune, the Panthéon never stopped changing hands. In 1885, the building with its impressive dome finally became the monument to great men we know today, with the funeral of Victor Hugo.
Since then, the Panthéon has welcomed the remains of some of the Republic's greatest figures. The crypt contains the tombs of Rousseau, Voltaire,Emile Zola, Jean Moulin, Louis Braille, René Cassin, Victor Schoelcher, Jean Monnet, Marie Curie(the first woman to be admitted) and, more recently, Simone Veil and Joséphine Baker.
Contemporary works of art are also on display within the monument.
You'll also note the presence of Foucault's famous pendulum, which has hung under the Pantheon dome since 1851.
For an enriching experience, we recommend a self-guided tour lasting around 1h30. However, 45-minute guided tours are available in the afternoon. An audioguide, available in 11 languages, makes it easy to discover this national treasure. To avoid waiting, remember to buy your tickets in advance.
On the program:
Pantheon opening hours:
Closed: January 1, May 1 and December 25.
Prices : The visit costs €11.50 for adults. However, free admission is available for certain categories, including young people under 26 and people with disabilities.
Accessibility: The Panthéon is committed to inclusion, and offers facilities for people with disabilities. The crypt, however, is difficult to access due to its architecture.
A little anecdote: Marie Curie, buried here in 1995, lies in a lead-shielded coffin due to the radiation to which she was exposed.
On sunny days, the Panorama du Panthéon is open to visitors, offering one of the most beautiful views of Paris.
In short, the Paris Pantheon is more than just a monument. It's a journey through time, where every nook and cranny tells a story. Don't wait any longer, come and discover this Parisian jewel!
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Paris 2024 Olympic Games: The Olympic Flame's journey through Paris, the programme
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Histoires paralympiques: a tribute exhibition at the Panthéon this summer
The Pantheon tells us the Paralympic Stories, from sporting integration to social inclusion, in an exhibition organized from June 11 to September 29, 2024. [Read more]
The panorama of the Paris Pantheon, the view of Paris we love, free for under-26s.
Visiting the Pantheon is one thing, but did you know you could also visit its colonnades and discover a sublime panorama of Paris? From April to October, the Pantheon exceptionally opens its rooftop to visitors to admire the rooftops of Paname and the Eiffel Tower. [Read more]
Missak Manouchian exhibition at the Panthéon
The Panthéon is hosting an exhibition entitled "Vivre à en mourir. Missak Manouchian et ses camarades de Résistance au Panthéon" (Living to Die. Missak Manouchian and his Comrades in the Resistance at the Pantheon), on view at no extra charge until September 8, 2024. [Read more]
Did you know? You can watch the Earth rotate thanks to Foucault's pendulum in Paris.
Want to see the Earth spinning at the end of a wire? You're in luck, because two of Foucault's pendulums can be seen in Paris, in the heart of the Panthéon and the Musée des Arts et Métiers. [Read more]
Location
The Pantheon
Place du Panthéon
75005 Paris 5
Access
Metro: Luxembourg / Cardinal Lemoine / Maubert Mutualité
Prices
Moins de 26 ans: Free
Visite: €11.5
Recommended age
For all
Official website
www.paris-pantheon.fr