The Paris Pantheon, modeled on its counterpart in Rome, is in the Latin District of Paris. Originally built as a church, the Pantheon is also the resting place of Marie Curie, Voltaire, Rousseau, Emile Zola, and Victor Hugo. It is looking clean and impressive after undergoing extensive restoration a few years ago.
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Louis XV commissioned the Paris Pantheon to express his gratitude to God after he recovered from an illness. Construction began in 1757 and was completed in 1791. For you architecture buffs, it uses Gothic principles of light but combines them with classical design. It’s known as the first Neoclassical work of art. 
Inside the Paris Pantheon today you’ll find mosaics and sculptures depicting French history. 
The first experiment with Foucault’s pendulum was held at the Pantheon in 1851. You can still see the pendulum today. I’ve seen these pendulums at other museums; it’s amazing to see the original here. 
You’ll want to remember to look up. 
We had the wonderful gift of finding a hotel right across the street from the Pantheon– Hotel des Grand Hommes. I was blown away by the view from our room. Sunrise on the stately Paris Pantheon – what a way to begin a day in Paris! 
If you visit, be sure to turn around and admire the view from the steps in front of the Pantheon. 
At night, from here you can enjoy the light show on the hour as the Eiffel Tower lights sparkle. It’s pure lovely Paris as seen from the Pantheon.
IF YOU GO:
Hours: Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
For more info, the Paris Pantheon has a great website.
One excellent way to explore Paris is with a walking tour. I highly recommend Take Walks Paris!
Where to stay in Paris
Paris offers hundreds of hotels. It’s sometimes overwhelming to start looking for a place to stay. Here are a few suggestions for lovely hotels near some of the sites mentioned. With the excellent Paris Metro system, you will be able to arrive wherever you like with just a little planning.
Near the Invalides: The Hotel de Varenne is exquisitely decorated and includes an inviting patio. You can walk from here to the Invalides as well as the Rodin Museum. (7th arrondissement)
Book your stay at the elegant Hotel de Varenne around the corner from the Rodin Museum.
Near the Pantheon: Hotel des Grand Hommes and (right next door) the Hotel les Dames du Pantheon. Both of these elegant hotels are across the street from the Pantheon. From my balcony room at the Grand Hommes I watched the sun rise on the iconic Pantheon. (5th arrondissement)
Book your stay at the Hotel des Grand Hommes and enjoy a view of the stately Pantheon out your window.
Near the Museum of the Liberation of Paris: Hotel Serotel Lutece is in the Latin Quarter, not exactly near the museum. But it is within comfortable walking distance. You can also walk from here to the Pantheon, Notre Dame, and Sainte-Chapelle. Not only is this a comfortable, attractive hotel, but I also found the staff here to be extra helpful with directions and information. (5th arrondissement)
Book your stay at the cozy Hotel Serotel Lutece in a walkable neighborhood near metro stations, shops, and restaurants.
Central to wherever you want to go: Hotel Moliere, themed on the French poet, is a delightful hotel near the Louvre. It is surprisingly affordable for this pricey area. You can walk or take the Metro to any sites you would like to visit. (1st arrondissement)
Book your stay at Hotel Moliere near the Louvre and the lovely Tuileries Garden.
Consider a side trip to the D-Day Beaches and Normandy
History comes alive when you visit the D-Day Beaches in Normandy. Just a two-hour train ride or drive from Paris, the Normandy beaches offer battle sites and museums. Pay respects at the many somber cemeteries. Stay in charming Bayeux. Normandy makes a great side trip if you are going to Paris.
Book the elegant Hotel Churchill in Bayeux, the perfect base for exploring the D-Day Beaches.
Places to visit include Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, and Gold, Juno, and Sword Beaches. If you have time, include all 5 D-Day Beaches in your itinerary for an amazing overview of June 6, 1944 and Operation Overlord.
Book your train tickets with Rail Europe for easy and reliable service.
Rail Europe partners with more than 230 train services such as SCNF, DB, and Swiss train lines. So, you can always find the transportation you need for your trip.
Renting a car in Europe? I can recommend renting with Auto Europe.
FOR MORE OF PARIS, HEAD TO THESE POSTS!
Tips for Your First Trip to Paris
Climbing Up Into the Eiffel Tower
Exploring the Rodin Museum
5 Reasons to Visit Luxembourg Gardens
Paris Gardens to Enjoy
The D’Orsay Museum in Paris
A Walk in the Latin Quarter
Ageless Beauty at Sainte-Chapelle
Paris WWII Sites for History Lovers
A Few Hours in Paris
The Invalides – Where Paris History Comes Alive
Reasons to Visit the Eiffel Tower
The Conciergerie – Marie Antoinette’s Prison
Take a walking tour to explore more of Paris!
31 Comments
What a magnificent building. Paris is full of amazing architecture and your images show that well. Thank you for linking up with “Through My Lens”
Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography
Just amazing! I cannot get over what you’ve seen on your travels!
Absolutely stunning
Mollyx
Wow -what a spectacular sunrise – and all the detail in those buildings – it is amazing
It’s absolutely amazing! Truly breath-taking. What great shots!
Am making a list, Sharon ,of all the things in Paris we need to see whenever we’ll visit our son in the Hague (only a five hour trip to drive to Paris) )!Love that you took these ceiling views! Awesome art! Admire Louis XV’s wish to give thanks to God and building the Pantheon, but smiling about some of the people buried there. I don’t know if some of these I’ll see in heaven, but then, I could be surprised:) Many thanks for sharing this beauty with All Seasons, ad have a great week!
A beautiful building and I enjoyed all the info you provided
What a striking and beautiful building – breathtaking, really.
Thanks for linking up at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2017/10/at-this-bridge.html
Very impressive building and photography in Paris ~
A ShutterBug Explores aka (A Creative Harbor)
I love these stately buildings. If walls can talk, right?
Worth a Thousand Words
Wow, the building is in excellent condition. I wish I had visited it when I was in Paris. I guess too many things to see and too little time.
Amazing photos of magnificent building! #CityTripping
What a stunning sunrise view – it’s such a long time since I’ve actually been inside (although I always enjoy spotting the statues) that I’d forgotten just how like its counterpart in Rome it is. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
what a magnificent impressive building and such great photos! I’ve been to Paris a few times, but was not aware of this..
Gorgeous photos! I’ve visited Paris three times, and somehow have never made it inside this amazing building! I always seem to arrive as it’s closing or it’s under renovation… Thank you for sharing these lovely photos! #citytripping
Heading to Paris at the end of the month. I have been many times, but have never visited the Pantheon there. Will add to my list now.
I have been to the Pantheon in Rome. We didn’t go to the Pantheon in Paris because last time we were there it was under renovation. Looks like they did a good job with it. It does remind me of the one in Rome. #TheWeeklyPostcard
I’ve only visited Paris once and didn’t get a chance to visit the Pantheon. Hopefully, I get a chance to go back and visit soon! #TheWeeklyPostcard
I was in Paris a few months ago and our hotel was on a street just below the Pantheon. It served as a beacon to guide us back each evening. So beautiful.
Amalia
xo
Wow – so beautiful!
Such an incredible place. All the details and symmetry are awe inspiring. It’s been ages since I went to the Pantheon – a great reminder to go back. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
Sharon, I have not visited the Pantheon! Not sure if I was aware of its existence. Now, I have something else to add to my list of things to see in Paris (my first visit was short). It looks a bit like a capitol building. Don’t you think? #TPThursday
I didn’t realize that Paris also had a Pantheon! It’s so beautiful and will definitely go on my itinerary for a next visit! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard!
I’ve been to both the Pantheons. The Paris one was still under renovation when we visited 4 years ago. From your photos, it looks like they did a wonderful job. I was quite disappointed that the Foucault’s pendulum had been taken down during the restoration as that we one of the things I was looking forward to seeing. Your hotel had a fantastic view that really reminds you where you are each morning.
It’s been many years since I visited Paris, but this is the first time I’m hearing about the Pantheon! It is indeed stately and calls to mind that bygone era. Loving your Paris series as I’m learning so much about it!
Such a beautiful building! We have yet to actually visit the Paris Parthenon up close. We’ve only passed by, always on our way to somewhere or other. Next trip, for sure! Meanwhile, we have your excellent photos. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
The architecture of this place is so remarkable and outstanding, Sharon! Is one day enough to explore it?
Lovely photos Sharon… and what an amazing view from your apartment window! I took my boys to visit the Pantheon last year, and we loved the architecture. You did a fabulous job capturing its beauty and geometry. Thank you for your visit to Paris and my blog 🙂 xo
You know, I’m not at all sure if I have been into the Pantheon! How bad is that? I know for sure that I haven’t been as an adult so even if I went as a child it’s high time I went again! Your photos are inspirational. Thanks for linking to #AllAboutFrance
Wow what a great position your hotel was in. Loved your tip about seeing the lights of the tower from the Pantheon steps. I must admit I didn’t know that Paris had one. 🙂 It looks amazing.
[…] you wander around the Latin Quarter for long, you are sure to find the Pantheon. This large building, originally a church, it is now a tribute to the history of Paris and the […]