A masterpiece created by Soufflot (1713-1780) and a former church, the Panthéon became the burial place for famous French personalities from the time of the French Revolution. Spend an hour visiting this important monument on a skip-the-line self-guided tour. A major exhibition at the Panthéon pays tribute to Jacques-Germain Soufflot, one of the greatest French architects. It presents his career and his monumental achievements, the most famous being the royal Church of Sainte-Geneviève, the current Panthéon. With this temple, the architect achieved Louis XV's desire to glorify the monarchy in the form of a church dedicated to Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris. The edifice was deconsecrated during the French Revolution in 1791 and renamed the Panthéon. During the turbulent years of the 19th century, as regimes changed, it alternated in function between a religious and a patriotic monument. Since 1885, the year of Victor Hugo's death and burial in the Panthéon, it has been the last resting place for the great writers, scientists, generals, clergymen and politicians who have made French history. The crypt houses the tombs of more than 70 illustrious figures including Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile Zola, Alexandre Dumas, Pierre and Marie Currie, and others. From the recently restored upper floors you can enjoy superb views across the city (from April to October). Visit before September 26, 2021 and see the Victor Hugo temporary exhibition. Learn about all the steps of his exceptional funerals, from the wake at Arc de Triomphe to the entrance at the Pantheon.