Pantheon
The facade of the Pantheon, modeled on the Pantheon in Rome, is a great example of the neoclassicism
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
Fee:Pantheon Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Address: Pl. du Panthéon, 75005 Paris, France
Official Website: Pantheon
Pantheon Reviews
Rated out of 5
This is a magnificent building in Paris. I didn't go inside, but from the outside, I could easily see its massive and sophisticated architecture. The surrounding area is also spacious, clean, and well-planned.
Phương Triệu Phan Thế - 3 months ago
The Panthéon is one of those places that looks impressive from the outside, but the moment you walk in, you realize the interior is on another level. The scale, the columns, the dome, the light… everything feels huge and dramatic without being overwhelming.
The best part is that the visit doesn’t take forever, so it’s easy to fit into your day without sacrificing half your itinerary. The crypt is also worth seeing, especially because so many important figures from French history are buried there, including Victor Hugo and Marie Curie.
JESUS PR - a month ago
Theres nothing like the Panthéon, one of the most impressive monumental buildings I've ever visited. The murals, the pendulum were all a wonder.
Visit the crypts below and pay your respect to many key figures of French history.
Unfortunately the panorama was closed and not available during our visit.
Lewis Wong - 2 months ago
Nice place to roam around. The Panthéon is a really nice place to see while walking around Paris. The building looks impressive from the outside with its big columns and marvelous design. We did not go inside, but it was still worth stopping for a few minutes to take photos.
D G BERA - 3 months ago
Dominating the Latin Quarter skyline with its majestic neoclassical dome, the Parisian Panthéon stands as a monumental temple dedicated to the great minds and heroes of the French nation. Originally commissioned as a grand church before transforming into a secular mausoleum, its cavernous, light-filled interior is a masterclass in architectural grandeur. Visitors are immediately drawn to the mesmerizing sight of Foucault’s pendulum slowly swinging from the soaring dome, demonstrating the rotation of the Earth. Beneath the magnificent frescoed vaults lie the crypts of France's most revered luminaries—including Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Émile Zola, and Marie Curie—making the Panthéon a profound and stirring monument to liberty, intellect, and national memory.
Quang Vu Nguyen - a month ago
Directions
| Metro / RER Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| M10 | Cluny - La Sorbonne | 8 minutes |
| M4 | Odeon | 13 minutes |
| RER B | Luxembourg | 6 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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Photo Gallery
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Looking up inside the dome of the Pantheon in Paris cc licensed photo by Michal Osmenda -
Photo Credit: rcamboim - cc license via Flickr -
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Photo Credit: Mike Kniec - cc license via Flickr -
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Photo Credit: Gael Varoquaux - cc license via Flickr
