Pantheon

The facade of the Pantheon, modeled on the Pantheon in Rome, is a great example of the neoclassicism

Impressive portico of the Pantheon
Impressive portico of the Pantheon cc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo by arch_ibd

The Pantheon, located in the Latin quarter of Paris, was originally built as a church dedicated to St. Genevieve and housed her relics. The construction of the Pantheon was commissioned by Louis XV when he recovered from his illness in 1744. It has since been re-appropriated as a mausoleum which contains the remains of a number of distinguished French citizens.

The facade of the Pantheon is modeled on the Pantheon in Rome. It is a great example of the neoclassicism that was popular at the time of its construction. The general layout is that of a massive Greek cross 110 meters long and 85 meters wide. The Pantheon boasts a triple dome where each dome is laid within the shell of the previous dome. The weight of this triple dome has been transferred by concealed buttresses to the portico columns. The dome reaches a height of 83 meters.

It was beneath the triple dome of the Pantheon that Leon Foucault demonstrated the rotation of the earth by hanging a 67 meter Foucault pendulum beneath the central dome. The original pendulum is in the Musee des Arts et Petiers and a copy hangs in the Pantheon. The Pantheon also housed the famous sculpture, The Thinker, from 1906 to 1922.

Since the Pantheon was converted into a mausoleum many great French citizens have been interred there. The inscription above the entrance to the crypt reads "To the great men, the grateful homeland". Some of those interred there are Napoleon, Turenne, Vauban, Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Emile Zola, Jean Moulin, Marie Sklodowska-Curie, Louis Braille, Jean Jaures and Soufflot, its architect. Some would argue that being able to pay your respects to these famous French citizens is reason enough to pay a visit to the Pantheon on its own.

If you have not added the Pantheon to your list of things to see in Paris, it would be a great idea to do so. Many who have seen it give it 5 star reviews. The Pantheon is accessible for those who are disabled and it's worth noting that the disabled and their helpers are admitted for free.

Nearby attractions: Musee de Cluny and Jardin de Luxembourg

Facts For Your Visit

Official Website: Pantheon

Fee:

Open Now

Regular Hours:
Hours may be subject to change. Please verify on the official website.

  • Monday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Sunday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Category: Landmarks & Historical Buildings

Address: Place du Panthéon
75005 Paris
France

Phone: +33 1 44 32 18 01

Reviews

Yelp Rating:
4 out of 5 4 Star Rating
Based on 131 Reviews.

See all reviews on Yelp

5 Star Rating Totally cool!! I had to pay my respects to (the still radioactive) Madame Marie Curie. The building is gorgeous but I highly recommend the extra cost to be... Read More

Elle Z. Sep-11-2023

4 Star Rating I will be transparent. We only came to Le Panthéon because we had the Museum Pass and we were sort of in the area. We came by on a Sunday at around 4:30 and... Read More

Mel T. Aug-29-2023

4 Star Rating For 11.50 euros you can enter the Patheon which has a crypt downstairs and also architecture and other artwork on the main level. I enjoyed my time at the... Read More

Vanessa L. Aug-27-2023

Accommodations near Pantheon:

Directions

Metro / RER Line Nearest Station Walking Time
M10Cluny - La Sorbonne8 minutes
M4Odeon13 minutes
RER BLuxembourg6 minutes

How to get to Pantheon by Metro / RER

By Metro: From Metro Line 10 exit at Cluny - La Sorbonne Station and walk east to Boulevard Saint-Germain then go right (south) on Rue Saint-Jacques to Rue Soufflot and go left. The Pantheon is straight ahead (8 minutes). From Metro Line 4 exit at Odeon Station via the Rue de l'École du Medecine exit; double back and walk southeast along Rue de l'École du Medécine continuing on Rue de Écoles to Rue Saint-Jacques and go right (south) to Rue Soufflot; then go left.

By RER: Take the RER B to Luxembourg Station and exit north onto Boulevard Saint-Michel. Walk north up Boulevard Saint-Michel to Rue Soufflot and go right.

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Video highlights of the Pantheon in Paris

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