Retire Early Lifestyle
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In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

The Pantheon, Paris, France

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

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Located in the Latin Quarter of Paris is the stately Pantheon. 

Originally commissioned as a church to Saint Genevieve in 1758 by King Louis XV, the Pantheon has taken many turns in its existence.

First it was a church, then a mausoleum, then back to being a church, then a mausoleum again and then back to being a church and then... well you get the idea.

There is a cafe just down the street from the Pantheon where we would frequent in the mornings for our espresso and croissant.

This day, however, we decided to go inside.

The Entrance to the Pantheon

With its tall, fluted columns, the Pantheon is a symbol of French national identity.

So it  happened to be a Sunday when we decided to visit, and unbeknownst to us -- it was a day of free entry! This saved us the $22 Euro entrance fee.

A remarkable building, there was a dramatic collage art display put on by Raphael Barontini.

There is a crypt inside the Pantheon where the bodies of very famous French dignitaries, scientists and artists are. Napoleon Bonaparte, Voltaire, Victor Hugo and Marie Curie all lie in state here.

The view looking out from the Pantheon

This is the view from the front area of the Pantheon.

If you look straight ahead, you can see the Eiffel Tower. On the left, the business establishment with the red awning is the cafe I mentioned previously.

Many of the other buildings are the characteristic Haussmannian buildings seen all throughout Paris.

A special art display by Raphael Barontini

This exhibition called  "We Could Be Heroes" by Raphael Barontini was on display when we were there in 2023.

Since his mother comes from the French West Indies, specifically Guadeloupe, Raphael focuses on his own heritage in his art.

His work combines various media including photography, silkscreen printing, painting, and digital prints. It's a very dynamic style in which he re-examines history bringing forth underrepresented stories.

These stories are of both real and imaginary heroes.

While amazingly eye-catching, it was hard to know who was real and which were figments of his imaginary world.

It very much seemed that I was observing a catharsis of his mind and emotions.

The Dome

Dominating the center of the Pantheon is this massive dome.

There are two separate domes, one inside the other.

This design was innovative for its time, allowing for a lighter structure while maintaining strength and grandeur.

The windows placed high above allow for natural light to enter the building which gives it a brighter feeling, less morose than before when the building served as a mausoleum.

All of it is truly awe-inspiring like many of the churches in Europe.

A partial sculpture

As you will notice, there are warriors, wreaths of victory, cannons, and military men all depicted here in this sculpture.

It must be a representation of a battle or a significant event from French history, possibly related to the French Revolution.

The virtues of the New French Republic were Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.

The Foucault pendulum

This pendulum is quite famous.

In the 19th century, a man named Léon Foucault used the Pantheon to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth with his remarkable pendulum.

Invitations were sent out saying: "You are invited to come and see the Earth turn".

How compelling!

Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, fond of science and history, authorized physicist Léon Foucault and the engineer Gustave Froment, to use the dome of the Panthéon to conduct their experiment.

The pendulum you see here is permanently enshrined in the Pantheon, but the original was a sphere of brass and lead weighing 28 kilograms suspended from the dome on a steel wire 67 meters long.

A construction of wood and sand was installed under the pendulum, allowing everyone to visualize the explanations of Foucault in real time. A stylus was fixed at the bottom of the pendulum causing a track marking in the sand which increased hour after hour.

 The experiment was a great success and brought together a crowd of Parisians to witness the earth in movement!

Contemporary art display

This is another look at the work of Raphael Barontini.

It is titled "We are the evening shadows that stretch out, Lord, in the setting of the day"

Do you ever wonder how artists select the titles of their work?

These pieces were all on suspended panels and their placement was very dynamic inside this older building. 

The dome

The central painting in the dome is called "The Apotheosis of Saint Genevieve," which basically means St. Genevieve has been glorified to divine status.

 It depicts her ascending to heaven, surrounded by angels which reinforces the Panthéon's original purpose as a church dedicated to her.

You will see frescos surrounding the dome, which are paintings applied to wet plaster, making it an integral part of the structure.

Windows allow light to filter in without directly illuminating the central painting, making it easier to view.

Another sculpture

I hate to admit it, but I don't know the significance of this piece of sculpture.

Obviously, all the characters are portrayals of women, with the central figures holding deep meaning.

Unlike the Roman Pantheon, which famously utilizes concrete, the Pantheon in Paris is mostly made of limestone the color of cream. It's used for the facade, columns, walls, and much of the structural elements giving the inside a lighter feel.

As a precursor to modern reinforced construction, iron rods were incorporated into the stone structure, particularly in the dome. This provided reinforcement and stability.

The National Convention

During the French Revolution, an assembly met which changed the course of France forever. It was the National Convention, and it was responsible for drafting a new constitution and for governing France during a turbulent period (1792-1795).

This sculpture serves as a monument to the convention's role in establishing the First French Republic, and the powerful and dignified female figure in the center embodies the ideals of the Republic: unity, strength, and resolve.

You will notice behind and above this sculpture there are recessed painted panels called coffers. Along with the intricate moldings that run along the edges they add a visual richness and complexity.

Floors are made of marble.

The Pantheon serves not only as a mausoleum but also as a symbol of French national pride and history. It's a venue for national ceremonies and has been a site for state funerals and commemorations.

The Sorbonne is not far from here

Paris is a handsome city. Many of the famous sites and locations are visible from one to the other. You can see the Eiffel Tower, and the Sorbonne University is a 5-10 minute walk.

Billy and Akaisha in front of the Pantheon

As many of France's monuments, the Pantheon is steeped in history, cultural heritage and is a beacon for the people. Paying tribute to art, science, architecture and politics it's worth a visit.

Would we recommend that you go?

Absolutely!

___________

The Pantheon

 Place du Pantheon

75005, Paris

Website: www.paris-pantheon.fr

Price : 13€ Free admission for under 26-year-old residents of the EU

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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