Panthéon Monument

Neoclassical mausoleum honoring France's distinguished figures

In Paris's Latin Quarter the Panthéon houses France's civic mausoleum and a neoclassical dome; visitors tour tombs of notable figures, climb for views and learn about revolutionary and republican history nearby.

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Panthéon at a Glance#

Address: Panthéon, Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris, France

Website: https://pantheon.paris.fr

Hours: Daily 10:00am-6:30pm (hours may vary by season; check before visiting).

Admission: €11 adult (approx.).

About Panthéon#

The Panthéon in Paris is an 18th-century neoclassical building in the Latin Quarter that was conceived as a church and later converted into a secular mausoleum. Its construction spans the final decades of the Ancien Régime and the revolutionary era.

A monumental portico leads into a circular rotunda beneath a prominent dome; the interior space houses tombs and commemorative plaques for leading figures of French history. The crypt contains the burial vaults of writers, scientists and statesmen, and the dome offers views over the surrounding neighbourhood on some visits.

Designed by Jacques-Germain Soufflot, construction started in 1758 and the building was largely completed around 1790, after which its function shifted between church and state mausoleum several times during the 19th century. It has since become a symbolic national monument where distinguished citizens are interred.

Located in Paris’s 5th arrondissement near the Luxembourg Gardens, the Panthéon stands in the Latin Quarter close to the Sorbonne and major academic institutions.

  • Construction dates: Construction began in 1758 and was substantially completed around 1790, when it was secularized during the French Revolution.
  • Function as a mausoleum: Contains the crypt of notable French figures such as Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo and Marie Curie, making it a national mausoleum.

What to See#

  • Dome and Rotunda: The rotunda and dome culminating in a high cupola that forms the building’s visual hallmark and houses a panoramic interior coffering.
  • Crypt and Burial Vaults: Underground crypt that contains burial vaults of prominent French figures from the Revolution onward, arranged beneath the main floor.
  • Portico and Façade: Neoclassical portico and colonnaded façade inspired by Roman models, forming the building’s principal street-facing elevation.

How to Get to Panthéon#

The Panthéon sits in Paris’s Latin Quarter on Place du Panthéon (Rue Soufflot). Closest metro/RER access includes Cluny-La Sorbonne (Metro Line 10) or the RER B at Luxembourg / Saint‑Michel area - both a short 3-7 minute walk. It is in central Paris; driving is unnecessary and parking is limited.

Tips for Visiting Panthéon#

  • Arrive at opening or buy a timed entry to avoid peak mid-morning and early-afternoon school and tour-group visits; the interior and crypt can feel crowded otherwise.
  • Enter from Place du Panthéon (main façade) and be sure to visit the crypt-many visitors focus on the dome and exterior but miss the tombs and historical displays below.
  • If you want views over Paris, check availability of guided visits to the dome platform and book in advance-those climbs are limited and often sell out on busy days.

Best Time to Visit Panthéon#

For the Panthéon aim for weekday mornings in off‑peak months (Nov-Feb) or shoulder seasons to avoid the longest queues.

Off‑peak (Best for fewer crowds)
Nov-Feb · 3-8°C
Colder months see fewer visitors-weekday mornings outside holidays are the quietest times to tour the interior.
Peak (Tourist Season)
Jun-Aug · 16-25°C
Busiest period with longer lines and higher nearby foot traffic-expect crowds at midday on weekends.
Shoulder
Mar-May, Sep-Oct · 8-20°C
Mild weather and moderate visitor levels; weekday mornings are best for shorter waits.

Weather & Climate near Panthéon#

Climate

Panthéon's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (660 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 51 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
AugustJuneJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
40°
Warmest Month
-12°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor 2° - 7° 1° 54 mm overcast 92% 4.4 m/s 0.1 low 8.6h
February Poor 3° - 8° 2° 48 mm overcast 87% 4.2 m/s 0.2 low 10.0h
March Good 5° - 12° 6° 53 mm partly cloudy 82% 4.5 m/s 0.5 low 11.7h
April Good 6° - 15° 11° 55 mm partly cloudy 77% 4.4 m/s 0.9 moderate 13.5h
May Good 10° - 19° 15° 64 mm overcast 76% 3.9 m/s 1.2 high 15.0h
June Excellent 13° - 22° 18° 56 mm partly cloudy 75% 3.8 m/s 1.5 high 15.8h
July Very Good 15° - 25° 20° 62 mm partly cloudy 72% 3.5 m/s 1.5 high 15.5h
August Excellent 15° - 25° 20° 44 mm partly cloudy 72% 3.3 m/s 1.2 high 14.1h
September Very Good 12° - 21° 17° 53 mm partly cloudy 76% 3.5 m/s 0.8 moderate 12.4h
October Good 9° - 16° 12° 59 mm overcast 84% 3.7 m/s 0.4 low 10.7h
November Acceptable 5° - 11° 5° 54 mm overcast 91% 4.0 m/s 0.1 low 9.1h
December Poor 3° - 8° 3° 58 mm overcast 93% 4.3 m/s 0.1 low 8.2h

Nearby Attractions to Panthéon#