The Panthéon - Paris

1. Introduction to the Panthéon

The Panthéon in Paris is located in the 5th arrondissement, nestled on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève hill at the center of Place du Panthéon, in the heart of the vibrant Latin Quarter. The monument was constructed between 1758 and 1790 by architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot at the request of King Louis XV.

In 1744, after falling seriously ill, Louis XV prayed to Saint Geneviève – the patron saint of Paris – and vowed to build a grand church if he recovered. After regaining his health, he ordered the construction of a new building to replace the old Sainte-Geneviève Abbey. The foundation stone was laid on September 6, 1764. However, due to political and financial upheavals at the end of the 18th century, the structure was completed just as the French Revolution erupted, marking a major turning point in the building’s history.

2. The Transformation of the Panthéon’s Role

2.1. From Church to National Mausoleum

In 1791, the Constituent Assembly decided to transform the Panthéon into a mausoleum honoring France’s most distinguished citizens, inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. From April 4, 1791, the building officially bore the famous inscription on its façade: ``` “Aux grands hommes, la patrie reconnaissante.” (To great men, the grateful nation.) ```

Throughout the 19th century, the Panthéon repeatedly changed its function between a church and a secular monument under various regimes, including those of Napoléon Bonaparte, Louis XVIII, and Charles X. Under the Third Republic, in 1881, the Panthéon was officially declared a permanent national mausoleum.

2.2. The Victor Hugo Event

In 1885, the state funeral and burial of Victor Hugo at the Panthéon marked a decisive milestone, firmly establishing the building’s new role as a temple of national figures. This event also led to several architectural and symbolic adjustments: religious elements were modified, and the dome’s crowning feature alternated multiple times between a cross and secular symbols depending on the ruling government of the time.

3. Architecture and Significance of the Panthéon

The Panthéon is an architectural masterpiece in the Neoclassical style.

• Length: approximately 110m
• Width: approximately 84–85m
• Dome height: approximately 83m
• The dome consists of three superimposed shells

The dome’s design was influenced by Bramante’s Tempietto in Rome, harmoniously blending Gothic lightness with classical Greco-Roman balance. Inside the crypt rest many eminent figures such as: Voltaire, Émile Zola, Jean Monnet,  Marie Curie, Pierre Curie. The dominant tones of white and gold create a solemn atmosphere, honoring France’s spirit of gratitude toward those who helped shape the nation’s history.

4. Science and the Foucault Pendulum

In 1851, scientist Léon Foucault conducted his famous pendulum experiment inside the Panthéon, demonstrating the Earth’s rotation—an important milestone in science.

This experiment visually proved that the Earth rotates on its axis—a landmark achievement in the history of modern science. Today, a model of the Foucault pendulum remains on display here as a symbol of the Enlightenment spirit.

5. The Panthéon Today

As of December 2021, the Panthéon houses the remains of 81 historical figures. This number may change according to reinterment decisions by the French state. Today, the Panthéon is not only the resting place of distinguished individuals but also a symbol of the spirit of the French Republic, where history, politics, religion, and science converge within a single monumental architectural space. It is undoubtedly one of the must-visit landmarks when in Paris—where France’s past and present meet beneath its majestic dome.