Panthéon

The Pantheon Paris (Latin Pantheon, from Greek Pantheon, meaning "Every god") is a building in the Latin Quarter
of Paris, France. It was originally built as a church dedicated to St. Genevieve, but after many changes now 
combines liturgical functions with its role as a famous burial place. It is an early example of Neoclassicism, with a
facade modelled after the Pantheon in Rome surmounted by a dome that owes some of its character to Bramante's "Tempietto".

Located in the 5th arrondissement on the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, the Panthéon looks out over all of Paris. Its
architect, Jacques-Germain Soufflot, had the intention of combining the lightness and brightness of the gothic 
cathedral with classical principles. Soufflot died before his work was achieved, and his plans were not entirely 
followed. The transparency he had planned for his masterpiece was not attained. Nevertheless, it is one of the 
most important architectural achievements of its time and the first great neoclassical monument.

As with most famed buildings, the Pantheon Paris has its unique story. The reason the it was was built was to 
replace the damaged Sainte-Genevieve church under the orders of Louis XV who was putting this monument up as 
a gratitude to God after his health had recovered. Soufflot was chosen for accomplishing the task. He wanted to 
have the Gothic style combined with the classical structure. Because of financial problems, Soufflot could not finish 
the building during his life; he died before seeing it completed and his pupil who finished it, did not exactly have the
same ideas of his master and made some changes. However there is little doubt that this building is one of the greatest neoclassical monuments and a true masterpiece.