subject: Pantheon - A tribute to the great men of France [print this page] King Clovis in 507 chose a particular site that overlooked the entirety of Paris as the resting place for himself and his wife. In 512 the patron saint of Paris Sainte Genevieve was buried at that same spot and an abbey or basilica was built to mark the area.
Later on King Louis XV in 1744 was suffering from a major illness and swore to build a church in honour of Sainte Genevieve if he was to recover. On his complete recovery, he then set in motion plans to build a magnificent church in 1755. Although architect Soufflot commenced the building of the church in 1957, it took 34 years to complete due to financial difficulties. By the time of its completion, France was in the midst of the French Revolution and it was decided by the Constituent Assembly of the Revolution to utilise the church as a Pantheon in which to lay to rest the remains of men who had contributed immensely for France. Thus the Pantheon was created as a civic building.
The building itself is neo-classicism at its best and has been influenced by the Roman Pantheon as far as the Corinthian column work is concerned, as well as the St. Paul's Cathedral in London, in terms of the dome structure.
The crypt, which consists of the entire building surface, accommodates great men of France. These include the likes of Jean Monnet, Voltaire, Pierre and Marie Curie, Victor Hugo and as of 2002 Alexander Dumas.
The Pantheon, meaning every god' in Greek, is a patriotic as well as breathtaking place to visit. Travellers to France with the Pantheon on their itinerary may seek a 5 star hotel Paris from which to base themselves. If so the Le Royal Monceau, Paris France with its convenient location and unimpeachable facilities will prove to be an ideal luxury hotel Paris.
Pantheon - A tribute to the great men of France
By: Pushpitha Wijesinghe
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