Place du Panthéon, 75005
Métro: Line 4 (Odeon), RER B (Louxembourg)
Full price: 9 €
Reduced price: 7 € / Free
Who gets the discount? -> under 26 years old outside of EU; if you present a train ticket SNCF Intercités with Paris as a destination
Extra discounts -> free for all under 18-s, under 25-s from EU, unemployed, Culture card holders
Extra fee of 3 € if you’d like to visit the coupole (April – October).
The Pantheon is one of remarkable 18th century buildings now hosting a mausoleum of achieved French figures. It’s located on a hill of Sainte-Geneviève (she’s the patron of Paris city). The location is very historic and the hill is called upon the saint patron of the city because previously it hosted an abbey in her name.
The reconstruction of Sainte-Geneviève’s church was commissioned by Louis XV because it was in ruins and also ruining the view of the beautiful church just behind it. Architect Sufflot proposed an ambitious project of the Pantheon that was supposed to be greater than the church of St. Peter’s (Rome) and St. Paul’s (London). He was inspired by a plan of the Pantheon in ancient Rome made by architect Agrippa, hence, his Paris project resembles the one in Rome.
The inscription in the front says: to the great men, the grateful country. Here, we can really raise the question of the feminism. Only 5 women are buried in the Pantheon:
– Sophie Berthelot, as a wife of Marcelin Berthelot, famous chemist;
– Marie Curie, for the achievements in physics and chemistry;
– Germaine Tillion, for her activism in enlightening liberated France about Nazi crimes during the second world war;
– Geneviève de Gaulle-Anthonioz, for her fight against poverty;
– Simone Veil, for her political activities and for fighting for women rights.
The rest 72 people are men, well achieved and celebrated, including Victor Hugo, Alexander Dumas and many others.
What to see in Pantheon?
When you enter, you can’t miss the Foucault’s pendulum, the device made by French engineer who proved the Earth’s rotation (it was installed in Pantheon in 1851). You’ll learn how it works from the descriptions and live demonstration. Also in the main hall they often host temporary exhibitions, do not miss out on them.
Definitely the crypt with all the tombs of French “celebrities”; there you can find your favourite artists, politicians and activists. The entrance at the crypts is at the end of the main hall, you’ll have to descend by stairs.
If it’s open, the extra entry to the coupole can be exciting.
Prices are of 2019 and might be a subject to change over time.
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