Foucault pendulum, Scientific demonstration in the 5th arrondissement, Paris, France.
Description
The Foucault pendulum consists of a 28-kilogram brass and lead sphere suspended from a 67-meter steel wire, swinging freely to demonstrate Earth's rotation through the gradual shift of its oscillation plane over time.
History
French physicist Léon Foucault first demonstrated this experiment in 1851 at the Paris Observatory before moving it to the Panthéon, providing direct observable proof of Earth's rotation without requiring astronomical observations.
Culture
The pendulum serves as a symbol of scientific inquiry and education, representing France's contributions to experimental physics and making complex planetary mechanics accessible to the general public through tangible visual demonstration.
Practical
The installation is permanently housed inside the Panthéon in Paris, where it remains accessible to visitors year-round and features wheelchair accessibility for all guests to observe the demonstration firsthand.
Did you know?
The pendulum's oscillation plane completes a full rotation in approximately 32 hours at Paris's latitude of 49 degrees north, knocking over wooden pegs arranged below to visually mark Earth's movement beneath it.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Paris 5e Arrondissement).
Panthéon
2 m
Crypt of the Panthéon de Paris
7 m
Dome of the Panthéon de Paris
7 m
La Convention nationale
16 mFrançois Denis Tronchet
20 mFrançois Barthélemy Beguinot
20 mMonument à Jean-Jacques Rousseau
11 mStatue, memorial
11 mValmy
15 mLe Vengeur
15 mMemorial
16 mMemorial
15 mFrançois Séverin Marceau
21 mJean Lannes
21 mMonument à Denis Diderot
12 mMemorial, statue
11 mJean-Baptiste-Pierre Bevière
19 mJean-Pierre Firmin Malher
21 mGirolamo-Luigi Durazzo
19 mPierre Jean George Cabanis
18 mLouis-Pierre-Pantaléon Resnier
21 mJean-Étienne-Marie Portalis
20 mAntoine-César de Choiseul-Praslin
21 mHommage de la nation aux Justes de France
14 mMemorial, commemorative plaque
20 mRené Cassin
21 mAndré Malraux
20 mJean Moulin
18 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes