Paris Latin Quarters: The Pantheon and the Luxembourg gardens
Visit to Pantheon and Luxembourg Gardens
Never thought about how convenient it was to live in Massy, as after a 22 minute morning train, I arrived straight at Luxembourg station of Paris, welcoming the warm morning sun and opening of the Pantheon at 10am. The Pantheon’s grand neoclassical structure situates itself in the midst of the Latin quarter, with La Rue Soufflot (named after the Pantheon’s architect) leading its way from the Pantheon’s entrance. Carved above the Pantheon’s impressive façade reads “Aux grands hommes la patrie reconnaisante”, translating “to great men, the grateful homeland.”, honoring those in service of France and marking down a moment in French history.
With its impressive neoclassical exteriors of a huge dome (tallest dome in Paris) and Corinthian columns, the blend of Roman and Greek architecture can be traced back to Louis 15th monarchy. It was originally designed as a church yet transformed itself as a place of worship and honor those with important contributions to French history.
Inside the neoclassical designed exteriors, the interior of the Pantheon is as impressive with gothic architecture, with delicately carved statues, paintings illustrating key moments of the French revolution, and a huge square for worship French iconic figures in the basement floor. I wandered inside the quaint rooms of the Pantheon, my boots clicking against its white marble floors echoing in its huge empty rooms before visitors started to flock in as it was just the starting of the day. As I trace France’s history back in time, I found that the nation nourishes its historical wealth by commemorating writers, philosophers, humanists, and activists. With their place of worship treasured safely into a moment in time, their names are carved into solid stone, with illustrations of their past works that captures their spirits vividly, never fading in time. “I wonder how it feels like a native French, having such riches of arts, culture, and history.”, says Jessie. Understanding history, learning about the lives of historical figures, cherishing the literature, and learning to enjoy such rich cultural heritage is a blessing. The greater our understanding of the historical and cultural background of our ventures, the more vivid the impression lasts in our outbound journeys, which really stay in the heart.
Exiting the Pantheon, I was greeted with the brilliant Spring weather of Paris, around 15 degrees of chilly breeze yet extremely comfortable with the midday sun. I ventured into the latin quarters, found the short line trickling before Chez le Libanais, and had a vegetarian hot wrap to go. (Quite a lot of great choices!) I decided to picnic at the Luxembourg gardens, under the gloriously bright sun, sitting at one of the garden chairs with numerous Parisians and tourists also enjoying the weather and bathing under the sun. I always enjoy these moments of slowing down, people watching, and basking in the open air. Through observing the individuals of the city, you study the pace in town, the ambience that shapes the people, and reflect on where your heart calls home. You tell the locals and tourists apart, you sharpen your senses, and you start listening to your heart.
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