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The Pantheon is a building in the Latin Quarter, originally built as a church dedicated to St. Genevieve (patron saint of Paris) to house the reliquary chasse containing her relics The building now functions as a secular mausoleum containing the remains of distinguished French citizens. It is an early example of neoclassicism, with a facade modeled on the Pantheon in Rome, and a dome somewhat similar to Bramante's "Tempietto". It is considered to be one of the most important architectural achievements of its time and the first great neoclassical monument. Jacques-Germain Soufflot designed the church, beginning in 1755. |