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Paris is a city full of history. A city that many remarkable individuals have called home, lived and died for. So it’s only natural that Paris would lay its most illustrious children to rest in an absolutely fabulous, and grand building. That’s the Panthéon.
The Panthéon’s dome dominates the 5th arrondissement’s Latin Quarter. It’s nothing short but a majestic building. Built originally as a church, The Panthéon is now a shrine. You can see the influence of the French Revolution inside.
The Pantheon originally served as a dedication to St. Genevieve. Illustrations of St. Genevieve’s life in murals were added to the inside walls later.
The Panthéon Today
Today, the Panthéon enshrines France’s most beloved children, and those who’ve made France their home and have made remarkable contributions in the arts, science, politics, philosophy, national identity and sovereignty, etc.
Think about a famous French figure from history. Not Napoleon, he’s at the Invalides chapel (which we didn’t get to this time…next time).
Many historically French figures are buried in the Panthéon.
- Rousseau
- Voltaire
- Madam Curie and her husband, Pierre
- Victor Hugo
- Louis Braille
- Emile Zola
- Alexandre Dumas
Plus a number of French Revolution and World Wars heroes…
And there is still space.
Josephine Baker
A few weeks prior to our visit, Josephine Baker had become the newest person to be laid to rest in the Panthéon. This was incredibly surprising! The African-American singer, dancer, and actress moved to France due to her race because she was not allowed to perform in some US venues. Here she continued to build her celebrity and later joined the French army/spied for the French during World War II.
I had no idea.
It’s one of those examples of how multidimensional people’s lives can be, and how their greatest work may happen in unexpected ways. It was incredibly cool to see not just her tomb, but the photo exhibit around the Panthéon talking about her life and all of her work.
The Panthéon’s lobby also has this representation of how the Earth rotates on its axis.
So Who is the Panthéon For?
- Architecture lovers: This is a great example of Neoclassical architecture (see columns and dome!). This style isn’t common in European churches (remember, this was meant to be a church!). I actually think it fits its current use very well!
- History buffs: Look at the list above. Those names are incredibly ingrained in French history. Their contributions are so far-reaching, that it’s very exciting to visit a place that has such significance.
- Travelers that want to visit ALL the landmarks: The Panthéon shouldn’t take more than two hours, even with pausing time at the crypts. When you’re done, head to any of the multiple cafes in the streets nearby and then explore the Latin Quarter nearby.
Stepping into a piece of history is always special. This one is a building, and the people are enshrined in it. But Paris itself is history. This is one where missing out or not will depend on your personal preferences for sightseeing and your interest in history. Even if you don’t go in, go admire the building, then go find an outdoor table, grab a coffee or a wine, and look back to admire it from afar, as Cameron masterfully demonstrates here:
In conclusion, this is not the attraction that will take the most of your time, but it sure is an important showcase of how rich France’s history is.
Ready for your visit? Book individual tickets to the Pantheon or combine your visit with other attractions through our experiences partner, Headout
Our Paris chronicles are not over. Coming up, we’ll show you why you should go to the Eiffel Tower at night. See you at the next blog! – Ana
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