From medieval abbeys and royal castles to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and remarkable monuments in the heart of Paris, the Centre des monuments nationaux invites visitors to experience French history where it happened. Across more than 100 sites throughout France, discover centuries of architecture, art, and history, including the Panthéon, where American-born Joséphine Baker is honored among France’s most celebrated figures.
France's Heritage, Brought to Life
The origins of the Centre des monuments nationaux date back to 1914, when France created a national body to support the preservation and restoration of historic monuments. Over the following century, its role evolved into that of today's Centre des monuments nationaux.
Today, it cares for and brings to life more than 100 monuments across France, spanning centuries of history and architecture. Through restoration, exhibitions, cultural programming, and new visitor experiences, the Centre des monuments nationaux ensures that these historic places remain living and accessible parts of France's cultural heritage.
The Panthéon: Honoring the Extraordinary Life of Joséphine Baker
The Panthéon honors the legacy of Joséphine Baker, who entered the monument in 2021.
Rising above Paris's Latin Quarter, the Panthéon is one of France's most important national monuments. Originally conceived in the eighteenth century as a church dedicated to Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris, the monumental neoclassical building became, during the French Revolution, a place of tribute to the men and women who have shaped the nation's history.
Beneath its vast dome, the Panthéon's crypt honors some of France's most celebrated figures, including Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Marie Curie, Alexandre Dumas, and Simone Veil. More than a final resting place, the monument reflects the values, achievements, and ideals that France has chosen to commemorate across generations.
Joséphine Baker.
© Séeberger Frères / Centre des monuments nationaux
Among those honored is American-born Joséphine Baker, whose extraordinary life created a powerful bridge between France and the United States. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, she found fame in Paris before becoming a French citizen, a member of the French Resistance during World War II, and a committed advocate for civil rights and equality.
On November 30, 2021, Joséphine Baker was honored at the Panthéon, becoming the first Black woman to receive this distinction. Her presence in one of France's most symbolic monuments celebrates not only an extraordinary individual, but also a life shaped by the shared histories and ideals of France and the United States.
Discover France Through Its Monuments
Beyond Paris, the Centre des monuments nationaux opens the doors to an extraordinary variety of places across France. Its network includes some of the country's most recognizable landmarks, from the castle and ramparts of Carcassonne to the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, alongside ancient abbeys, archaeological sites, artists' homes, and remarkable examples of modern architecture.
Each monument offers a different way to experience the country, whether walking medieval ramparts, discovering a writer's former home, exploring the rooms of a château, or standing in the places where history unfolded.
📍 Explore the Monuments
View the interactive map and find a monument
