Pantheon Paris

The Dome of Pantheon Paris stands out as its most significant feature as it has been compared with the likes of the domes of St. Peter’s Basilica of Rome and St Paul’s Cathedral of London. It is actually a combination of three domes each set within the other with its vast ceiling exquisitely painted from the inside by renowned artist Jean-Antoine Gros. The dome, placed at a height of 272 feet, is visible from all parts of Paris.

The façade of the Pantheon Paris is splendid in its own distinct style comprising Corinthian columns and sculptures as well as figures of honored personalities. There are statues of famous philosophers, scientists, and statesmen including that of Voltaire, Rousseau, Lafayette, Napoleon as well as soldiers from the École Polytechnique.

It mentions the words, “To the great men, from a grateful nation”, which were put there when the structure was constructed in 1791.

Le Pantheon Paris boasts unique art naves in its western, southern, and northern sides which showcase some great works of art. The Western Nave features a series of paintings that display the saints of Paris including Saint Danis and Saint Genevieve. The Southern and Northern Naves display murals that showcase the Christian heroes of the country.

Come down to the crypt when you visit Pantheon Paris to see the tombs of some of the greatest names in history. All the personalities resting in peace at the crypt in the Pantheon Paris have played a major role in France’s rise to fame. Some of them include Voltaire, Rousseau, Alexander Dumas, among others, and from the modern era, you will find renowned names like Antoine Veil and his wife Simone Veil.

When here, you can also go through the permanent exhibition set up here that lays down all essential information about the work and life of those buried here.

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This is a massive pendulum that was suspended from the dome of the Pantheon Paris and measured almost 67 meters (220 feet) in length. It hung underneath the central dome and represented the way the Earth rotates. The pendulum was displayed during the Renovation and today the structure houses only one duplicate copy of the pendulum. There are several such Foucault’s pendulums that you can see around the globe in places like New York, Ranchi, etc. However, the pendulum at the Pantheon was the very first of its kind, depicting the workings of Physics.

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Visit Pantheon Paris to get some of the best views of the city from a vantage point. It is located in the heart of the city and offers an unhindered 360 degree view of the surrounding area. From here, you can get magnificent views of some of the most famous monuments in Paris like the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysees, The Louvre, to name a few. The Pantheon attracts thousands of visitors not only for the sheer architectural beauty it showcases and its rich history, but also for the best views of Paris from this amazing view point.

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Although much smaller in stature when compared to the massive Pantheon building, the Statue de Corneille is a great site to visit for its historical value which makes it one of the main attractions of Pantheon. It is a replica of the great French play writer Pierre Corneille and is situated on the left hand side of the main entrance. When it was originally built the statue was made entirely of bronze. However, it was later taken down and rebuilt in stone in 1908.

Gevevan philosopher and writer who made significant contributions to French literature, Jean Jacques Rousseau was a notable figure in history. The Pantheon complex houses a statue of this famous historical personality which was built here back in 1834. The statue is another major attraction in the Pantheon, and symbolizes the significance of the great philosopher.

Saint-Severin is one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in Paris and a great place to visit when you are at the Pantheon. Located right next to it, the church is near the left bank of the River Seine. It also holds a place of much religious significance and is one of the highest visited places of worship in the city. The spiral pillars of the church are quite unique and it attracts a lot of international visitors as well.

This is yet another famous church that is also located in close proximity to the Pantheon. The Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont de Paris is one of the oldest churches in Paris that dates back to the late fifteenth and early sixteenth century. It stands at a height of over 70 meters and is particularly noteworthy because it also houses the tombs of Blaise Pascal and Jean Racine.

One of the prime places to visit in the Pantheon is this bridge that connects the 4th arrondissement and the 5th arrondissement. This bridge of the Pont de l'Archevêché is a major tourist destination which attracts a lot of tourists from where they click photos of the Seine and the Pantheon.

One of the most famous monuments of the world, the Eiffel Tower is located a few miles from the Pantheon Paris. It is also one of the main reasons people visit Paris, particularly for the views it presents in the evenings when a glittering light show illuminates the massive structure.

Created in the seventeenth century, these beautifully manicured gardens were made with the intention of complementing the Luxembourg Palace. It presents a magnificent green park in the heart of the city with a wide variety of flowers, plants, as well as the famous Medici Fountain

When you visit Pantheon Paris, another notable site to visit nearby is the Musee d’Orsay, a famous museum of the city. It houses some of the most exotic pieces of art from the Impressionist era and is a veritable paradise for the lovers of Impressionist art.

The Notre Dame of Paris is a famous cathedral and yet another renowned building of this magical city. It represents the beauty of typically Gothic architecture but was unfortunately engulfed in a massive fire a few years ago. Most parts of the structure have been restored which have been open to the general public again.