Several other councils were held there in the 6th and 7th centuries and because of the veneration inspired by the tomb of Saint Geneviève, the name of this touching patroness of Paris prevailed over that of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. It was there that, in 577, Chilpéric Ier and Frédégonde made condemn the bishop of Rouen, Prétextat, who had married Brunehaut and Mérovée. The Basilica of the Holy Apostles, adorned with the most beautiful privileges by kings and popes, immediately submitted to the Holy See, quickly became one of the most famous in France. His tomb was in the middle of the choir, adorned with his statue. Clovis was buried there, as well as Clotilde, and, after him, Saint Geneviève and several bishops of Paris. The site chosen was the top of the main eminence which dominated ancient Paris and where, in Roman times, there was a cemetery. The church was erected in honor of Saint Peter and Saint Paul by Clovis, on his return from the battle of Vouillé, at the request of his wife. The Saint Geneviève church, to which the Panthéon succeeded, was part of the Saint Geneviève Abbey, one of the most prestigious in France. Saint Geneviève Abbey was illustrious Detailed history of Saint Geneviève Church and Abbey The large crypt accommodates the vaults of great French public figures, including Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Émile Zola, Jean Moulin, Louis Braille, Jean Jaures and Soufflot, its architect. The inscription above the entrance reads “To great men, the grateful homeland”. The portico has 24 large Corinthian columns. The spectacular dome reaches a height of 83 meters. The building is 110 meters long by 84 meters wide, and 83 meters high. The plan is a Greek cross with massive portico of Corinthian columns. The government turned the church into a mausoleum, a place to burry exceptional Frenchmen. The church was finally completed in 1790, during the early stages of the French Revolution. Due to financial problems, work proceeded slowly. Architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot was chosen and the construction began in 1758. French King Louis XV vowed in 1744 that if he recovered from his illness he would replace the ruined church of the Abbey of Saint Geneviève with a monument worthy of the patron saint of Paris. It is now a burial place for famous French people. The Panthéon was initially a church dedicated to Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris.
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