Panthéon

Visit the Panthéon in the Latin Quarter, Paris — a neoclassical masterpiece, mausoleum, and one of the most iconic historical sites in France.

Brief History: Built between 1758 and 1790 by architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot, the Panthéon was originally designed as a church dedicated to St. Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris. During the French Revolution, it was converted into a mausoleum to honor France’s great thinkers and leaders. Notable Features: The neoclassical façade is inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, with its grand Corinthian columns and massive dome dominating the skyline of the Latin Quarter. Inside, visitors admire marble floors, detailed frescoes, and monumental sculptures. Fun Fact: The Foucault Pendulum, first installed in 1851, demonstrated the rotation of the Earth inside the Panthéon. Current Use / Visitor Info: Today, it serves as both a mausoleum and a museum, housing the remains of Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, and Marie Curie. Entry tickets are required, and guided tours are available. Tourists are encouraged to be respectful, as it is a place of commemoration.