Paris' Pantheon and Its Many Gods - Part 2

Scale models or maquettes of buildings always fascinate me. And happily, these are quite commonly found in historic French monuments. So my tour of Paris‘ Pantheon continued with an exploration of its beautiful maquette.

A Model of Architecture

The graceful beauty of its exterior was in full view as I approached it from the front. Then, I slipped around to the side and discovered a cutaway view into the interior. The level of detail was breathtaking. It even included the intricate rosette panels embedded in the coffered ceiling which stood above me.

The Nation’s Crypt

Of course, a centuries-old church would not exist without a crypt. And a somewhat shocking memorial marks the entrance to the Pantheon’s: the heart of Léon Gambetta. Gambetta was a 19th-century French statesman who helped direct the defence of France during the Franco-Prussian war. And afterwards, he was instrumental in transforming the new regime into a democratic republic. The translated inscription reads:

HERE LIES

THE HEART OF LEON GAMBETTA

SOLEMNLY TRANSFERRED TO THE PANTHEON

NOVEMBER 11, 1920

ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF THE NATION

Encased in creamy-grey Paris-stone pillars and vaulted ceilings, I found the crypt of the Pantheon to be a beautifully calm and reverent space. Leading off the main hallway, are a series of smaller passages, each lined with a number of tombs. After a while, the vast quantity of them became a little staggering. Especially when I realized the immense contributions their inhabitants had made to society. Some of the world’s greatest philosophers, writers and scientists are interred here, with space for still more.

Notable Memorials

The fact that many are still remembered today with fresh floral arrangements also stood out to me. And the tombs of others still have their original, now antique, funereal wreaths on their graves. The laurel wreath below reminded me of those mounted inside the top of the Arc de Triomphe. And I learned that Marie Curie‘s sarcophagus had an extra feature: a lead lining. This was necessary to prevent radiation leakage due to the fact that she had experimented with this toxic substance so intensively.

A Sweet Farewell

My amazing exploration of le Panthéon complete, I emerged from its giant Corinthian columns to this lovely scene of the Eiffel Tower peeking out over the Jardin de Luxembourg. And after all that exploring, I was ready for another treat. I couldn’t resist a rose-shaped cornet de glace – ice cream cone – from Amorino on Rue Soufflot.