Panthéon

Standing atop the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, the Panthéon is one of the most imposing silhouettes in the Parisian skyline. This neoclassical masterpiece was commissioned by King Louis XV in 1744 as a grand church dedicated to…

The front of the Panthéon is dominated by a grand Portico that mimics the ancient Roman Pantheon. Twenty-two Corinthian columns support a pediment that is a masterpiece of sculpture. …

As you step inside, the sheer scale of the Panthéon's interior is striking. The height and diameter are perfectly balanced, creating a sense of harmony that was intended to evoke the divine. …

Descending into the crypt, you enter the hallowed silence of France's collective memory. This is the reason the Panthéon exists today. …

The Panthéon's dome is its most ambitious feature, a 'modern marvel' that stands as a testament to the skill of 18th-century engineers. Soufflot designed it as a triple-layered structure to ensure both internal beauty and…

The interior decor of the Panthéon is a deliberate 'spiritual managerie' where the many facets of French identity are worshiped. Beyond the large frescoes, notice the series of chapels that were added during the building's brief…

As you exit the Panthéon, the square around you offers a perfect place to reflect on the 'Eb and flow of daily life' in this ancient part of Paris. To the north stands the beautiful library of Sainte-Geneviève, and to the east is…

As our tour of the Panthéon concludes, I hope you carry with you a sense of the 'human ingenuity and creativity' that this building represents. It has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, served as a sanctuary for both pagan…