We had combination tickets to the Pantheon purchased with Saint-Denis tickets, and this was new and unknown territory for us The Pantheon is really a love-letter to French patriots, Saints, and history.
6.4 miles, cloudy with periods of rain, 59 degrees, 85% humidity.
Richard’s ReLive for the day is here: https://www.relive.com/view/vZqNKP1GM3v
The Pantheon was hosting a special showing about Robert Badinter, but since we knew nothing about him, we skipped all references and focused on the permanent exhibits.
It is a spectacular venue, begun in 1757 to replace an older church to Saint Genevieve at the same site. It was secularized in the Revolution and then reconsecrated, but now it is a civic building that serves as a repository for the remains of great French citizens.
This 20th century grand sculpture celebrates the Republic.
Jeanne-Jacque Rousseau has been interred in the Pantheon since 1794, and this group of statues celebrates the 200th anniversary of his birth. Five female figures surround the medallion of Rousseau. The women are allegories representing areas of his work: Music, Truth, Science, Philosophy, Nature, and are crowned by Glory.
Saint Genevieve is considered the Patron Saint of Paris, so her story is told in panels here.
The young Genevieve is meeting with the Bishop Saint Germaine, who judges her nature and reveals her destiny. The painting includes her parents’ emotions, and the curiosity and reverence of bystanders.
In the Spring of 451, Paris was threatened by the Hun army, led by their leader, Attila.
The panicked city residents prepared to flee.
The calming voice of Saint Genevieve urged the residents to defend their city. Some protested, but hearing her arguments, they heeded her call. A few days later, finding the city well-defended, the invaders left. Since then, Saint Genevieve has been called the patron saint and protector of Paris.
In her voice as protector, Saint Genevieve helped reprovision Paris.
While Paris was under siege in 451, she had helped get foodstuffs secretly transported into the city via the Seine to save the population from famine.
On Christmas Day 800, Charlemagne was crowned emperor by the pope. The crowds throng outside Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome to cheer on Charlemagne. This event marks the start of the Carolingian dynasty.
In the 19th century, there was renewed interest in Charlemagne because of Napoleon. As a symbol of imperial power and military superiority of France, he became an essential figure in French history.
After battling the Alamanni for hours, Clovis’s troops were on the edge of defeat at Tolbiac. The king raised his arm to the heavens and begged the god of his wife, Clotilde, to come to his aid. He promised to become Christian if he made it out of the battle alive.
Clovis later honored that promise and had himself baptized at Reim.
King Louis IX, also known as Saint Louis, is one of the French national legends along with Charlemagne and King Clovis. He was committed to justice across the kingdom. Here he is holding court, while on his steps is a woman accused of a crime.
When this painting was commissioned, France had suffered a major defeat at the hands of the German Empire, which cost Napoleon III his throne. The morale of the French people was at a low point. They needed a symbol of resistance to restore hope.
Joan of Arc, as a young girl called by St. Michael the Archangel, offered that hope.
Joan was led to assist Charles VII, and was in attendance at his coronation in Reims.
Her life was cut short as she was captured by the English in the Hundred Years War, and was tried for heresy and martyred in Rouen.
The Pantheon crypt contains remains of several well-known French citizens, such as Rousseau, . . .
. . . Victor Hugo, . . .
. . . And Voltaire.
2 Responses
More historical knowledge! Is your memory storage getting filled yet? We are looking forward to your cruise. Taking the foot off the pedal! Dan and Wendy
I’m just curious and want to remember some of these descriptions. It is interesting how many locations are tied together by their history; I.e. how many times have we heard about Clovis who is new to me this trip?