The Pantheon

The Pantheon overhangs the Sainte-Geneviève mountain, in the heart of the fifth district of Paris. This " mountain " holds its name of the legendary heroin which saved Paris of the barbarians invasions of the 5th century, and which was buried there into 500. An abbey will be built into 508, under the reign of Clovis, which will contain the body of the holy, before receiving that of Clovis itself.

Reached of a serious disease in Metz, in 1744,The King Louis XV made a vow, if it cures, to build up an immense church instead of the Sainte-Geneviève abbey, then in ruin. It holds word and assigns Soufflot, an architect, the task to draw the plans of the monument.

Since 1918, the official ceremonies follow one another: transfer of the heart of Gambetta, deposit of ashes of Jaurès, ceremony of homage to Jean Moulin in 1964, during whom Andre Malraux, then minister of the culture of General de Gaulle, made a memorable speech.

photo extract from www.atkielski.com.