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Contents
Paris Pantheon | The First Ever Monument Built in Paris
Nestled in the 5th arrondissement, the Panthéon is an illustrious monument and mausoleum. Its neoclassical facade, adorned with majestic Corinthian columns reminiscent of Greek temples, commands attention. The iconic dome is also a focal point in...
Founded On
1790
Founded By
Jacques-Germain Soufflot, Jean-Baptiste Rondelet
Quick information
RECOMMENDED DURATION
2 hours
Timings
10am–6pm
TICKETS
From € 13
EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD
30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)
Did you know?
In 2006, the guerilla team "Untergunther" adeptly infiltrated the Panthéon, orchestrating the meticulous restoration of the non-functioning nineteenth-century Wagner clock, which had been dormant for four decades. The restoration was a surprise to the Panthéon's administrator.
In 1842, Alphonse-Louis Poitevin captured one of the earliest photographs featuring the Panthéon. The daguerreotype, a testament to historical preservation, marks a significant milestone in the visual documentation of this iconic monument.
The Panthéon houses Foucault's Pendulum, an enlightening scientific exhibit showcasing the Earth's rotation. This captivating feature serves as an educational element within the monument.
Book Paris Pantheon Tickets
What is the Paris Pantheon?
The Paris Pantheon is a prominent neo-classical monument located in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, France. Originally commissioned by King Louis XV to be built as a church that honors St. Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, today, it functions primarily as a mausoleum for famous French heroes. The glorious Pantheon architecture — interiors, the art it houses, and its sheer size is a sight to behold. The star attraction though is the Crypt that holds the tombs of illustrious individuals like Madame Curie, Louis Braille, Victor Hugo, and many others. The Pantheon is also considered the first major monument to be built in Paris and the first that offered a panoramic view of the city.
Plan Your Visit to Paris PantheonPlan Your Visit to Paris Pantheon
Timings
Getting There
April 1 to September 30: 10 AM to 6:30 PM (Last entry is at 5:45 PM)
October 1 to March 31: 10 AM to 6 PM (Last entry is at 5:15 PM)
The Paris Pantheon is open every day of the week.
Closure: January 1, May 1, and December 25, or if a mass is taking place.
Read About Paris Pantheon Opening Hours
Address: Pantheon, Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris, France.
Situated in the Latin Quarter of Paris, the Pantheon stands proudly as a Neo-Classical monument overlooking the city's iconic skyline.
Know More About Getting To Paris PantheonThings to See at the Paris Pantheon
Mosaics and Paintings
The Paris Pantheon's vast interiors boast of gothic magnificence and neoclassic style. The countless mosaics and paintings of scenes from French history are a sight to behold. Most of the frescos here were executed by Puvis de Chavannes. The most notable of them all is the cycle that depicts the life of Saint Geneviève de Puvis. The cycles telling stories of Joan of Arc’s life, the beginnings of Christianity, and the monarchy in France are not to be missed either.
Foucault's Pendulum
In 1851, physicist Léon Foucault suspended a metal ball in the center of the dome, surrounded by a round acrylic “sand fence”. When moved, the stiletto of the sphere makes a mark on the thin layer of sand, and with each passage that line gets longer, proving the movement of the earth. Today, a replica of Eddy’s pendulum, bathed in real gold stands in its spot. The original pendulum is displayed at the Musée des Arts et Métiers.
The Crypt
The Crypt at the Paris Pantheon is the final resting place for many illustrious French personalities. Their tombs are located in an underground basement. You enter the Crypt by going down one of the two side stairs to reach a round of chambers that leads to a system of corridors. Here, the countless chapels of where these people of great prominence lay begin. You will easily recognize names, thanks to the panels and terminals with briefs on the life and work of each personality.
History of the Paris Pantheon
The Pantheon
Built on Mount Sainte-Geneviève during the mid-1700s, the Pantheon was meant to be a church dedicated to St. Genevieve. King Louis XV, who fell seriously ill in 1744, vowed to replace the older abbey and build a grander church if he ever recovered. The foundation was laid in 1758 but due to financial strains, the Pantheon was not completed till 1789. By then, the French Revolution was at hand, and a new revolutionary government was in place. The Paris Pantheon was ordered to be changed from a church to a mausoleum.
The Construction
The Paris Pantheon was first designed by Jacques Germain Soufflot, who wished to combine the simplicity of gothic architecture with classical Greek structure. However, he passed away in 1780 before this could be achieved. Jean Baptiste Rondelet took over as the architect and the construction of the new church was completed in 1790, during the French Revolution. Later, after the church was transformed into a mausoleum, architectural changes were made by Quatremère de Quincy so that the interior would appear darker and more solemn.
The French Revolution
When the French Revolution began in 1789, only the interior decoration of the Church of Saint Genevieve was left to be completed. In 1790, the Marquis de Villette proposed that it be made a temple devoted to liberty, like the Pantheon in Rome. In 1791, after the death of The Comte de Mirabeau, the President of the National Constituent Assembly, the idea was adopted; the church became a temple of the nation. The ashes of Voltaire, martyred revolutionaries such as Jean-Paul Marat, philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau, and many other were placed in the Pantheon.
Church To Temple
Napolean Bonaparte had the Pantheon restored to a church during his reign. After his fall in 1816, Louis XVIII of France restored the entire Pantheon, including the crypt to the Catholic Church. In the years that followed, with each new government, the status of the Pantheon changed. It took on the designation of 'The Temple of Humanity' in 1848, under the elected government of the Second French Republic and that of the 'National Basilica' under Louis Napolean. Ultimately, in 1881, a decree was passed to transform the Church of Saint Genevieve into a mausoleum again.
Who Built Paris Pantheon?
Jacques-Germain Soufflot
Jacques-Germain Soufflot, a luminary of Neoclassical architecture, crafted the Paris Pantheon, melding Roman grandeur with ethereal lightness. Self-taught and inspired by Rome, he left an indelible mark on French architecture, shaping the transition from Rococo to Neoclassicism. Buried in the Pantheon beside Voltaire, his legacy endures.
Jean-Baptiste Rondelet
A prominent French architect, Jean-Baptiste Rondelet, assumed leadership following Jacques-Germain Soufflot's passing during the Paris Pantheon's construction. Their project's completion in 1790 transformed the structure into a secular mausoleum, embodying Neoclassical principles and honoring France's distinguished figures.
The 'Other' Pantheon
The Pantheon in Rome is arguably the more famous of the two Pantheons, which has led to the Paris Pantheon being dubbed as the "other" Pantheon of Europe. It is easy to mix up the two because they bear a few similarities. Both monuments started as religious establishments and became significant tourist attractions. The architecture and design of the Pantheons are almost alike — featuring columns, a dome, and a triangular pediment. This is because the Paris Pantheon was fashioned after the original in Rome; the latter dates back to the 2nd century, while the former is a modern structure built in the 1700s.
All Your Questions Answered About Paris Pantheon
Q. What is the Paris Pantheon?
A. The Paris Pantheon, initially built as a church, is a mausoleum that houses the remains of great French citizens.
Q. When was the Paris Pantheon built?
A. The Paris Pantheon was built between 1764 and 1790
Q. Is the Pantheon in Rome or Paris?
A. The Paris Pantheon is located in Paris, France. However, the first-ever Pantheon was built in Rome, between 126-128 AD.
Q. What is the Paris Pantheon famous for?
A. The Paris Pantheon is famous for its revolutionary architectural style and its interiors. But most importantly, it is famous for being a repository for the remains of historically great French personalities.
Q. What is the architectural style of the Paris Pantheon?
A. The Paris Pantheon is built in the neoclassical style of architecture.
Q. Who designed the Paris Pantheon?
A. The primary architect of Paris Pantheon was Jacques-Germain Soufflot. It was completed by Jean Baptiste Rondelet. After the church was transformed into a mausoleum, architectural changes were made by Quatremère de Quincy.
Q. What is inside the Pantheon Paris?
A. Inside, the Paris Pantheon you will find a 83-meter high Dome, Corinthian columns, mosaics and paintings of scenes from French history, Foucault's Pendulum, the Naves, and the Crypt.
Q. Who is buried at the Paris Pantheon?
A. Several eminent French personalities are buried at the Paris Pantheon the likes of whom include Madame Curie, Louis Braille, Voltaire, Simone Veil, Alexandre Dumas, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and many others.
Q. Why was the Paris Pantheon built?
A. The Paris Pantheon was built as a church to honor Sainte-Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris after King Louis XV recovered from an illness.
Q. What is Foucault’s Pendulum?
A. The Foucault Pendulum was a revolutionary device named after its creator, French astronomer and physicist, Léon Foucault. It was conceived as an experiment to demonstrate the Earth's rotation.
Q. What is the crypt at the Paris Pantheon?
A. The Crypt, located underground in the subterranean chamber of the Paris Pantheon, is the final resting place of many famous French poets, writers, scientists, and statesmen.
Q. What is the Paris Pantheon used for today?
A. Today, the colossal Paris Pantheon is regarded as a secularized repository or mausoleum that houses the remains and tombs of many illustrious French personalities.
Q. How much does it cost to visit the Pantheon in Paris?
A. Ticket prices for Paris Pantheon start at € 11.50.
Q. Is the Paris Pantheon still used as a church?
A. The Pantheon Paris still functions as a church and masses are held for the community. Visitors can visit the mass every Sunday at 10:30 AM and on Saturday at 5 PM.
Q. Can you take photos inside the Panthéon?
A. Photography for personal purposes is allowed. Taking photos to sell or make a profit is strictly prohibited.
