Both Pantheon Paris and Les Invalides are important monuments in Paris which holds the graves of great men and women of the nation including Napoleon and Victor Hugo. I utilized the Paris Museum Pass to visit both monuments as Paris Museum Pass holders can visit them for free.
National Pantheon
Getting there:
Metro: Saint-Michel (Line 4)
RER: Saint-Michel (Line C) / Luxembourg
In 1744, King Louis XV expressed his desire to dedicate a prestigious building to Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris. The architect, Soufflot was commissioned to undertake this project. Soufflot's ambition was to outdo the churches of St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul's in London.
However neither Soufflot or King Louis XV lived to see the church completed. By the time the construction is completed, French Revolution had started and the church was voted in 1791 to be transformed into a mausoleum for the remains of distinguished French citizens.
The burial of Victor Hugo in 1885 enshrined this secular use of the building.
Foucault's pendulum was first installed in 1851 and removed and reinstalled in 1995 to demonstrate the earth's rotation.
The National Convention sculptures by Francois-Leon Siccard (1921) commemorates the French Revolution.
The Pantheon is sure beautiful and warrants a visit while in Paris.
Les Invalides
Getting there:
Metro: Invalides (Line 8) / Varennes (line 13)
RER: Invalides (Line C)
Les Invalides is actually a shortened form of "Hopital des Invalides". The complex of buildings was originally constructed in the 17th century as a hospital and a retirement home for war veterans. The buildings now houses the Musee de l'Armee, the military museum of the Army of France, the Musée des Plans-Reliefs, and the Musée d'Histoire Contemporaine, as well as the Dôme des Invalides.
The Dome was Paris's tallest building until Eiffel Tower was erected. It was the royal chapel before it became the tomb of Napoleon. The mortal remains of Emperor Napoleon I were transferred to the Invalides on 15 December 1840.
During the revolution, the church was transformed into a "Temple of Victory" and then a "Temple of Mars" under the Consulate. Its religious function was reestablished by Napoleon Bonaparte who also used the church as a military Pantheon.
Napoleon's tomb was dug in the center of the dome. Nearly 4 metres long and over 2 metres wide, the tomb is sculpted from quartzite in a purple colour that recalls Egyptian red porphyry, a material traditionally associated with Roman emperors. It stands on a base in green dolerite.
You can take home a souvenir medallion or a souvenir bill at the Dome.
The ticket office.
I enjoyed browsing the items in the museum shop very much. It has many nicely designed souvenirs to bring home. If you have time, you can also visit the Musee de l'Armee. Overall, I'm glad to visit both monuments.
National Pantheon
Admission ticket: € 11.50 for adult, € 9 for reduced fare
Free for Paris Museum Pass holders, person age 18 and below, European residents (age 18 - 25) and person with disabilities.
Opening hours: 10am - 6:30 pm (Apr - Sep), 10am - 6pm (Oct - Mar)
Website: http://www.paris-pantheon.fr/en/
Les Invalides
Admission ticket: € 14.00 for adult, € 9 for reduced fare
Free for Paris Museum Pass holders, person age 18 and below, European residents (age 18 - 25) and person with disabilities.
Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (Apr - Oct), 10am - 5pm (Nov - Mar)
Website: https://www.musee-armee.fr/en/english-version.html
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