Pantheon Paris
Louis XV vowed to build a church to replace the decaying Abbaye de Ste-Genevieve if he were to recover from a mysterious illness that nearly took his life. He recovered, and after some delay he ordered the construction of the building. However, by the time it was finished in 1790, the leaders of the Revolution covered its windows and declared it a national shrine to the great men of France. Hence, it was born a pantheon, rather than a church. Today it is the final resting place of many of the greatest names in French history. Marie Currie is the only woman to have received the distinction of being buried here.

The design is reminiscent of St. Paul's in London: a church in the form of a Greek cross with a large dome. Before entering the building take note of the frescoes which portray scenes from the life of Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris.