So this time around, we decide to 'lose' the map altogether and wander around the back streets of Paris. It was really quite rewarding as we walk through small local markets, shops and eventually back to the tourist attraction!!
The Pantheon was originally built as a replacement church dedicated to St. Genevieve, which is the patron saint of Paris. In 1744, King Louis XV was suffering from an illness. He vowed that if he recovers from the illness, he was to replace the original church ruin with "an edifice worthy of the patron saint of Paris. It took more than 30 years to complete.
The Pantheon is also the burial place of many famous Frenchman: Voltaire, Rousseau, Marat, Louise Braille, Maria Skłodowska-Curie and Victor Hugo included. (That reminds me. "The Death of Marat" is currently in exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts. I have meant to go and see it for a couple of weeks now. I hope the exhibition is still on!)
According to Wiki:
The inscription above the entrance reads AUX GRANDS HOMMES LA PATRIE RECONNAISSANTE ("To great men the Nation is grateful"). A grave in the Pantheon is the highest honour from the Nation. As such its entrance is severely restricted and is allowed only by a parliament act for "National Heroes".
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