The Panthéon in Paris is an iconic neoclassical building located in the Latin Quarter. Its history traces back to the mid18th century. Initially conceived as a church dedicated to St. Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, it was commissioned by King Louis XV in 1755 as a way to thank the saint for his recovery from a serious illness.

Designed by the architect JacquesGermain Soufflot, construction of the Panthéon began in 1758 but was not completed until 1790, during the early stages of the French Revolution. The building's architecture is notable for its grandiose portico with Corinthian columns and its massive dome, inspired by the Pantheon in Rome.

With the onset of the French Revolution, the building's purpose shifted. In 1791, the National Constituent Assembly decided to transform it into a mausoleum to honor distinguished French citizens. This change marked the beginning of its role as a secular necropolis, and it has since housed the remains of many illustrious figures, including Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Émile Zola, and Marie Curie.

Throughout the 19th century, the Panthéon's function oscillated between a church and a mausoleum, reflecting the turbulent political changes in France. By the Third Republic in the late 19th century, it had firmly established its status as a civic building dedicated to national heroes.

Today, the Panthéon remains a prominent symbol of French heritage and a testament to the nation's historical and cultural evolution.
Paris Pantheon 4K | Panthéon de Paris