Monuments in Paris: The Panthéon

The Panthéon in Paris is a monument to great citizens of France.  Befitting its importance, it is located on top of a hill on the Left Bank.  It is a prominent feature of the Paris skyline.

We recently visited the Panthéon with Marie-Chantal's friend Melinda. 

Melinda and Marie-Chantal outside the Panthéon

The Panthéon is not simply a monument to great citizens of France.  Many of them are reburied there after their remains were moved from earlier gravesites.  As a mausoleum, the Panthéon is a tranquil place to visit.  

The building and its location have a long, varied history.  During the Gallo-Roman era, the location was home to Forum of Lutetia (the Roman name for the city).  Later, in the 5th century, it was the burial site of Saint Genevieve, who saved Paris from the Huns in the 5th century and later became the patron saint of Paris.  A church and abbey were erected on the site in the middle ages.  

A new, much larger church was erected in the 1700's. During the Revolution, the recently completed church was secularized and used as a temple dedicated to liberty.  The decision was made to inter the remains of great citizens of France there, including Voltaire and Rousseau.  Over the next century, the building's use changed as the political climate of France changed; sometimes it was a secular monument and sometimes it was a church.  Eventually, the building was rededicated as the Panthéon and has remained so since the 1885 death and burial of Victor Hugo there.

The design of the building is a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and Neoclassical styles.  For instance, the facade is modeled on the Roman Pantheon, while the dome is considered Italian High Renaissance.

The facade of the Panthéon 

A model of the Panthéon 

The interior of the Panthéon is amazing.  It is decorated with carved marble, including colored marble.  

The dome

One of the French citizens honored in the Panthéon is scientist Léon Foucault.  His pendulum is located directly under the dome, swinging back and forth showing the rotation of the Earth.  

The Panthéon is decorated with works of art depicting important persons and events in French history.  

Close up of a young General Napoleon

Saint-Exupéry was a famous French aviator and author of The Little Prince.  He served in the Free French Air Force during World War II and disappeared while flying a mission.

Underneath the Panthéon is a large crypt with remains of French citizens who have been "pantheonized".

From the crypt, let's head up to the dome.

From the balcony, a view of the ceiling and some interesting sculptures

The dome of the Panthéon

The roof of the Panthéon affords some of the loveliest views of Paris.  Below is a view of the Left Bank, including the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

Here is another lovely view.

Thanks for visiting the Panthéon with us.