Pantheon Paris
Europe, France, Read About Can't Miss Places

Great Monuments of Paris—The Panthéon

Amy French the Roaming Historian

Standing as a testament to human greatness, I think that the Paris Panthéon is a must-see. Located near the law school of the Sorbonne in the Latin Quarter, this Paris monument housed in a neo-classical building with its colonnade and inscription, Aux Grandes Hommes La Patrie Reconnaissante (For great men, the grateful nation), connotes greatness.

A basilica has stood on this site since the early 6th century, but the current building was finished in 1789/1790 as the French Revolution gained steam. Originally, Louis XV commissioned its construction as a church to St. Genevieve (patron saint of Paris). He had been ill and prayed to her for recovery. By the time that the church was finished, Louis XV was dead and his son would soon be removed from the throne. As France wrote its first constitution and abolished absolute monarchy, the French government turned the basilica into a temple to house the ashes of the nation’s great men—calling it the Pantheon (every god). Although it returned to Christian worship a couple of times after the Revolution ended, it has been completely secular since 1885 with the funeral of Victor Hugo.

The main floor of the Pantheon is breathtaking with a soaring dome, magnificent sculptures, Foucault’s pendulum demonstrating the rotation of the earth, fabulous murals, and monumental architectural features. I was immediately taken back to the Age of Enlightenment as I surveyed the illustrious statesmen, authors, scientists, and humanists honored here.

After wandering through the first floor, I had felt that I received a great history lesson of the French through sculptures and art—Charlemagne, Joan of Arc, Clovis, the French Revolution, WWII Resistance fighters are all represented. But now it was time to go downstairs to see the rest of why I had journeyed to this monument—the crypt.

I don’t know why I have such a fascination with crypts, but I do. To stand near the eternal resting of place of great women and men sends chills throughout me. I think of their amazing accomplishments in life and imagine what the world would be like without them. Marie Curie is buried there, as is Voltaire, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Émile Zola, Louis Braille, René Descartes, Victor Hugo, and Jean Paul Marat. What would life be like without Marie Curie’s pioneering efforts in radioactivity? Without Voltaire’s satire? Without Rousseau’s political ideas? Or Hugo’s writings? Of course, people often say that innovation is natural and someone else would have accomplished what anyone of these people did. But someone else did not, they did. History is a delicate tapestry of intersecting stories and events, of choices and consequences, if the threads were sewn differently the product would not look the same. I walked along the cool hallways looking into crypts barred from entry by wrought-iron gates lost in thought about the past.

Eventually, my husband’s hunger got the better of him and he implored me to leave so that we could get a sandwich. We found tasty sandwiches—jambon beurre (ham on a baguette with butter) and went to the nearby Luxembourg Gardens for a picnic. The palace and gardens are lovely. I’ve heard that the area is a meeting place for spies, so I kept an eye out for them too. I didn’t see any overt espionage activities, but it was a pleasant way to end our trip to the Paris Panthéon.

Location: Place du Panthéon (5th arrondissement), Paris Latin Quarter

Which Paris Tour Companies Should You Use?

I use several travel partners for different types of Paris experiences; I recommend comparing the itinerary, group size, inclusions, cancellation policy, and meeting location before booking rather than choosing based on price alone. Browse LivTours, The Tour Guy, Viator, and GetYourGuide below.

LivTours – Semi-private or private tours with a maximum of six participants and local expert guides. Use my link plus AMYRH10 for 10% off two or more tours. https://livtours.com/destinations/paris-tours?af_code=E1DDN61

The Tour Guy – A wide range of guided Paris experiences, including Louvre and Versailles tours. https://tidd.ly/3LB3LMK

Viator – A large selection of Paris tours, attractions, food tours, and cruises. https://www.viator.com/Paris/d479-ttd?pid=P00161535&mcid=42383&medium=link&medium_version=selector

GetYourGuide – Another extensive marketplace for Paris attractions and guided experiences. https://www.getyourguide.com/paris-l16/?adults=1&searchSource=7&partner_id=CMSFGKK&utm_medium=online_publisher

Do You Need Travel Insurance for Paris?

I recommend traveling with travel insurance for an international trip. Flights, hotels, tours, and other prepaid travel expenses can add up quickly. A comprehensive policy can provide coverage for certain trip cancellations, interruptions, delays, medical emergencies, and other covered problems. I recommend comparing policies through Travel Insurance.com rather than automatically purchasing the policy offered by your airline, tour company, or hotel. Compare Paris travel insurance here: https://www.travelinsurance.com/?utm_source=pap&a_aid=65590b3a60c44

For more Paris resources, check out my Travel Guides and Travel Tips pages.

Amy French, Ph.D., is the voice behind Roaming Historian. A professional historian and seasoned traveler, she shares stories that blend history and travel to give readers a deeper understanding of the places they explore.

Traveling Soon? Trusted Tour & Travel Partners

Planning your trip? Here are our trusted travel partners — thoughtfully chosen for quality, reliability, and exceptional experiences.

Affiliate Disclosure

Roaming Historian may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support the research and storytelling that go into every article. All opinions are always our own.

1 thought on “Great Monuments of Paris—The Panthéon”

  1. Pingback: Top Places to Visit in Paris—Part Deux | Roaming Historian

Leave a Reply