Architect Soufflot's neoclassical masterpiece rises 83 meters above the Sainte-Geneviève mountain, sheltering the crypt where the Republic's most distinguished citizens rest.
See entry ticketsStandard ticket — all visitors aged 18 and over.
€28
“Arrived right at opening (10:00) and had the pendulum to myself for ten minutes — you can actually see the swing-plane rotate against the sand-tray markers if you stand still long enough. The crypt was the highlight; the Curie tomb in particular.”
“Went up the dome in late April — only a small group of us up there, the view runs from the Eiffel Tower to the Sacré-Cœur. Worth the 206 steps even with two stops. Skip the lower viewing — go straight to the colonnade.”
“We combined the Panthéon with Saint-Étienne-du-Mont next door — the concierge suggested it and it was the kind of detail you only get from someone who actually knows the area. Total visit including coffee on Rue Mouffetard was about 3 hours.”
The Panthéon rises 83 meters above the Sainte-Geneviève mountain in Paris, a neoclassical dome that began as a church in 1758 and became the Republic's mausoleum for distinguished French citizens. You see it from blocks away, the stone façade pale against the sky. Inside, the air is cool and the scale immense—columns soar, light filters through high windows, and your footsteps echo across marble.
Architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot designed the structure, blending the lightness of Gothic engineering with classical symmetry. Construction began in 1758 and was completed in 1790 by Soufflot's pupil Jean-Baptiste Rondelet after the architect's death. In April 1791 the National Assembly designated the new church a mausoleum for distinguished citizens; the building shifted back and forth between religious and civic roles through the 19th century before its definitive transition to a secular pantheon in May 1885, when Victor Hugo was interred there.
You enter the main hall and the dome opens overhead, vast and geometric. Descend to the crypt and the temperature drops—vaulted corridors lead past stone sarcophagi, each name carved in the dim light. If you climb to the colonnade, Paris unfolds in every direction, rooftops and spires stretching to the horizon. Foucault's pendulum swings in the nave, tracing the Earth's rotation in slow, hypnotic arcs.
Panthéon Tickets is an independent concierge service. We facilitate ticket purchases from Centre des monuments nationaux, the official French operator, on behalf of international visitors. We do not resell tickets — we provide a personalised booking and English-language support service. Our service fee is included in the displayed price. For those who prefer to book directly, the operator's portal is at tickets.monuments-nationaux.fr.
Plan your visit
Voltaire, Hugo, Curie, Veil — a guide to the eighty figures honoured in the crypt of the nation
When the pendulum reads cleanest, when the dome climb opens, and when the crypt is quietest
Three great domes, three different cities — Left Bank neoclassical, Right Bank imperial, Montmartre Byzantine
All sales are final. The one exception: in the rare event we are unable to secure your tickets from the operator, a full refund is issued within 24 hours. Once tickets are confirmed, changes to your visit date are handled through our rebooking service at no additional charge, subject to open slots in the operator's calendar.
Yes. We rebook your visit to any open slot in the operator's calendar. No rebooking fee applies. Contact us with your new preferred date and we coordinate directly with the operator. Confirmed within 2 hours during business hours. This flexibility is built into the all-in concierge price.
Tickets are digital, instant, by email. You receive confirmation within 2 hours during business hours. The email includes your entry voucher and any operator-specific instructions. No physical pickup required—simply present the digital ticket on your phone at the entrance on Montagne Sainte-Geneviève.
Yes. Select the total number of visitors when booking. All tickets arrive together in a single confirmation email. Each person in your group enters under the same booking reference. If your party includes visitors under 26 who are EU residents, note that the operator offers free admission for that category directly at the door.
The Panthéon stands on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève in the 5th arrondissement. The main entrance faces Place du Panthéon. Nearest métro stations are Cardinal Lemoine (line 10) and Maubert-Mutualité (line 10). The building's neoclassical façade and 83-meter-high dome make it unmistakable from the square.
Your ticket grants access to the monument's interior, the crypt where distinguished French figures rest, Foucault's pendulum demonstration, and the panoramic terrace offering views across the city. Guided tours and special exhibitions may require separate arrangements. The concierge tier covers standard admission; any premium add-ons are noted at booking.
The main floor and crypt are accessible. The panoramic terrace, reached by a long staircase, is not wheelchair-accessible. The operator provides detailed accessibility information on-site. If you have specific requirements, let us know at booking so we can confirm current provisions and arrange any available assistance with the operator.
Children of all ages are welcome. Under-26 EU residents enter free when presenting valid ID at the door. The interior is quiet and reverent—appropriate for older children interested in history and architecture. Strollers are permitted on the main floor but cannot access the terrace stairs. Family-friendly guided visits are available through the operator.
Photography for personal use is generally permitted in the main hall and crypt. Flash, tripods, and commercial filming require advance authorization from the operator. Foucault's pendulum and the interior frescoes are popular subjects. Respect signage in areas where photography is restricted, particularly during ceremonies or special events.
Bring your digital ticket (on your phone or printed), valid photo ID, and comfortable shoes—the monument involves walking and stairs to the terrace. A light jacket is advisable; the stone interior stays cool year-round. Large bags and backpacks may be subject to security screening. Leave prohibited items (sharp objects, large luggage) at your accommodation.
Most visitors spend 60 to 90 minutes exploring the main hall, crypt, pendulum, and terrace. If you join a guided tour or linger over the frescoes and tombs, allow two hours. The panoramic terrace alone warrants 15 to 20 minutes. Plan extra time if you wish to visit nearby attractions in the Latin Quarter.
The Panthéon is entirely indoors except for the rooftop terrace. Rain or cold will not affect your experience of the crypt, pendulum, or interior architecture. The terrace remains open in most weather; only severe conditions prompt temporary closure. If you prefer to reschedule, contact us and we rebook to another open slot at no charge.
The crypt holds the remains of distinguished French citizens, including Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Marie Curie, and more recently Joséphine Baker. The monument, originally designed by architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot and completed in the 18th century, was repurposed as a mausoleum during the Revolution. Each tomb is marked with biographical plaques.
Yes. The panoramic terrace at the base of the 83-meter dome is accessible via a staircase (not wheelchair-accessible). From the terrace you see rooftops across the Latin Quarter, the Seine, and landmarks throughout the city. The climb is part of the standard admission. The interior of the dome itself, with its frescoes, is visible from the main floor below.
A small boutique near the exit sells books, postcards, and souvenirs related to the Panthéon and French history. No café operates inside the monument. Numerous cafés and restaurants line the streets around Place du Panthéon, ideal for a meal or coffee before or after your visit. The Latin Quarter offers abundant dining options within a short walk.
A free-swinging pendulum installed by Léon Foucault in 1851 with a 28-kilogram bob on a 67-metre wire. The swing plane stays fixed relative to the stars while the Earth turns beneath it — at the latitude of Paris, the apparent rotation is about 11.3 degrees per hour, completing a full revolution in roughly 31 hours 50 minutes.
No. It was commissioned by Louis XV in 1744 as the church of Sainte-Geneviève, completed in 1790, and has swung between church and secular mausoleum five times since — secularised in 1791, returned to religion in 1816, secularised again in 1830, returned to religion in 1852, and made definitively secular in 1881. Victor Hugo's 1885 interment marked the start of the current designation.
The closest stations are Cardinal Lemoine (Line 10, 350 m east) and Maubert-Mutualité (Line 10, 500 m north). The RER B stops at Luxembourg, a 500-metre walk west through the Jardin du Luxembourg. Bus lines 21, 27, 38, 82, 84 and 89 stop within 200 metres of the entrance on Place du Panthéon.