description Panthéon Overview
The Panthéon is a monumental neoclassical building located in Paris, France. Constructed between 1755 and 1790, it began as a church commissioned by Louis XV before becoming a secular mausoleum for notable French figures. It houses the tombs of prominent intellectuals, writers, scientists, and statesmen including Voltaire and Marie Curie. The structure remains a significant historical landmark and serves as a place of national commemoration.
help Panthéon FAQ
Who is buried in the Panthéon in Paris?
The Panthéon contains the remains of prominent French figures including Victor Hugo, Marie Curie, Alexandre Dumas and Joséphine Baker. Admission to the monument does not mean every honored person is physically buried there, since some commemorations are symbolic.
Was the Panthéon originally built as a mausoleum?
No. It was commissioned under Louis XV as the Church of Sainte-Geneviève and was later converted into a secular monument during the French Revolution.
Can visitors see Foucault's pendulum inside the Panthéon?
Yes, a reconstruction of Léon Foucault's pendulum is displayed beneath the dome. Foucault used his famous 1851 experiment at the Panthéon to demonstrate Earth's rotation.
Is the Paris Panthéon related to the ancient Pantheon in Rome?
The Paris monument borrows the name and some classical architectural language, but it is not an ancient Roman building. Its recognizable facade combines a columned portico with a large neoclassical dome.
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