The Panthéon is a necropolis, or an indoor graveyard for famous people. In 1744 the King Louis XV became very ill, and decided to build a church to Saint Genevieve to help get through the illness through divine aid. The architect Soufflot was appointed architect of the project.
The construction began in 1764, and lasted so long that the Revolution came and left the building site deserted for a while.
In 1791, the church was changed to a necropolis for two important Frenchmen, Voltaire and Rousseau, who were brought to The Panthéon under great pomp and circumstance.
The Panthéon was given to the Cult for some time during the First Empire, but The Panthéon was returned to its function as a necropolis in 1885, with the death and burial of Victor Hugo.
The last people to be put to rest in The Panthéon were a couple, Marcelin Bertholet and his wife. They died at the same time, and had before their death chosen to be buried together, and were both buried in The Panthéon.
On Bastille Day, the French National Day on July 14th., The Panthéon is decorated and takes part in the celebrations through army units having a small display in front of the necropolis.
Copyright © essentialcontent.com 2008
![[Nice decor]](./grafik/niceline.gif){kind=small}