Pantheon Church - Paris

The Pantheon Church is based in the Latin quarter of Paris. The word Pantheon is Greek and means “Every God” so the literal translation for the Pantheon Church is the church of every god.

The church was built in dedication of St. Genevieve with history stating that King Louis XV vowed that if he recovered from an illness he was suffering with he would replace the crumbling church of Sainte-Geneviève that sat on the site before the Pantheon was built. This vow was made in 1744 but it was still a few years before the church was bilt.

The work of the church was given to the Marquis of Marigny who chose an architect called Soufflot to complete the work, Soufflot start the foundations in 1758 but money ran short and the foundations were not complete.

In 1789 a student of Soufflot called Jean-Baptiste Rondelet took it upon himself to complete the church although the church became a mausoleum for the interment of great Frenchmen at the request of the new revolutionary government of the French revolution.

As the church (at various times in its history a mausoleum) has been a burial place for famous people, in its necropolis the church houses the resting places of notable people such as Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Émile Zola, Jean Moulin, Marie Skłodowska-Curie and Louis Braille to name a few. Above the entrance to the necropolis is the inscription UX GRANDS HOMMES LA PATRIE RECONNAISSANTE which translates as "To the great men, the grateful homeland”

The Pantheon is a beautiful church and a must see when visiting Paris. One point to mention is the awe inspiring dome that tops the church and gives it a special respect that makes it one of the most loved churches in the city.

In certain areas of the church you will see beautiful architecture, wonderful statues and you can even visit the crypt. You can also enjoy some amazing views across the city from various vantage points in the church.

There is a fee for visiting the Pantheon but it’s relatively small and you will certainly enjoy wandering around the church for hours.

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