The Pantheon is an attraction in the Latin Quarter in the vibrant city of Paris in France. Initially put up as a church for St. Genevieve, the Pantheon has now been altered to bring together its cultural roles and its function as a well known burial place. An entrance has been created like the Pantheon in Rome featuring a diminutive dome that bears resemblance to Bramante’s “Tempietto”. The Pantheon is an early illustration of Neoclassicism.
The Pantheon is situated in the fifth district on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève and has wonderful views of Paris, “The City of Lights”. Jacques-Germain Soufflot was the architect of the Pantheon. He wanted to merge the lightness and brightness of the gothic cathedral with old ideologies. Unfortunately, Soufflot passed away before he could finish the job and his plans were not completely carried out. All the same, it is one of the most significant architectural accomplishments of that era.
In 1744, King Louis XV promised that if his health improved he would restore the ruined Sainte-Geneviève church with a structure worthy of the patron saint of Paris. Subsequently, there were many changes to the Pantheon. In recent years, there have been modifications to the Pantheon. For instance, a Brazilian artist set up an anthropomorphic fitting inspired by a biblical monster. Also, the Pantheon’s antique clockworks were revamped in late 2006.
Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Jean Moulin, Louis Braille, and the architect Soufflot are some of the notable people buried in the graveyard.
A popular tale that the remains of Voltaire were embezzled by religious activists and stuffed into a rubbish pile is untrue. This was in fact not true and such stories resulted in the coffin being opened in the late nineteenth century. This confirmed that his remains were still there.
Pantheon is among many other tourist attractions that can be visited in this wonderful city. Tourists can opt to stay at a luxury hotel in Paris such as Le Royal Monceau which offers serene comforts and elegant accommodation options.
