The upper part of the temple-like church houses marble statues and paintings, many depicting the life of Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris. The maze-like crypt contains the marble tombs of heroic figures of French history.

Though the Panthéon was constructed in the mid-18th century, it was preceded by a basilica built by King Clovis in 507 to house the remains of himself, his queen, and Saint Geneviève.

The current Panthéon is the final resting place of geniuses such as Rousseau, Voltaire and Victor Hugo, Marie Curie and Louis Braille. Rebel Émile Zola and founder of the European Community (later to become the European Union), Jean Monnet, rest here as well. In 1920, the heart of Léon Gambetta was brought to the Panthéon, on the 50th anniversary of his proclaiming the Republic. Gambetta was a statesman and former Prime Minister who was known for his role in the Franco-Prussian War. The dark red urn is given a place of honor.

In 2015 four heroes of the French Resistance were interred and honored at the Panthéon. They included two women, so Marie Curie was no longer the sole female honored there. In 2021, the American-born Josephine Baker, famous as a cabaret dancer, resistance fighter, and civil rights icon, was honored with placement in the Panthéon.

Above the crypt is housed a modern marvel: a pendulum,used to prove that the earth turns. The original pendulum, now in the Museum of Arts et Métiers, was created by Léon Foucault in 1851. The current bronze weight, installed in 1995, swings above a platform showing the numbers 0-24: the pendulum always shows the correct time.

The Panthéon is a short walk away from the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Sorbonne. When you visit, also take some time to go to the lovely church of St-Étienne-du-Mont, just to the left and back of the Panthéon. Look for the tall slender tower, and enjoy the rood screen and wonderful stained glass.

The Panthéon, as seen from the nearby Luxembourg Garden.

Paris Museum Pass accepted. Open daily.

Métro: Maubert-Mutualité or Cardinal Lemoine
Bus: 21, 27, 38, 82, 84, 85, 89 
RER: Luxembourg

Panthéon
Place du Panthéon
75005 Paris
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 32 18 00

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