Panthéon

monument

Panthéon

Neoclassical mausoleum in the Latin Quarter where France's greats rest: Voltaire, Hugo, Curie, Zola.

Visit duration
1h30
Best time
Afternoon
Metro
Cardinal Lemoine (10) · RER B Luxembourg
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History & context

Designed by Soufflot from 1758 as a church to Sainte Geneviève, the Panthéon became the mausoleum of great citizens in 1791.

Voltaire, Rousseau, Hugo, Zola, Marie Curie, Josephine Baker rest in its crypt. Foucault's pendulum proved the Earth's rotation here in 1851.

Key facts

Built
1758–1790
Architect
Jacques-Germain Soufflot
Style
Neoclassical
District
5th — Latin Quarter

Why visit

  • ·Crypt of France's great figures
  • ·Foucault's pendulum in the nave
  • ·Panorama from the colonnade
  • ·Monumental Puvis de Chavannes frescoes

What to see

  • ·Nave and frescoes
  • ·Foucault's pendulum
  • ·Crypt
  • ·Top colonnade

Practical tips

  • ·Dome access April–October
  • ·Combine with Luxembourg Garden

Good to know

  • ·Dome access April–October, 206 steps.
  • ·Combine with nearby Luxembourg Garden.
  • ·Hours and prices may change: check paris-pantheon.fr.

Schedules and tickets may change. Check the official website before booking.

Frequently asked

+Is it worth climbing to the dome?
Yes on a clear day: the panoramic view over Paris from the colonnade is among the finest on the Left Bank, but access often depends on the season — check on site or online before coming.
+How much time should I plan?
About 1h for the crypt and nave, 1h30 if you climb the dome.
+Are there a lot of stairs?
Yes, the dome is reached via a narrow staircase with no lift, so it's not ideal for reduced mobility.