In 512 the remains of Genevieve were buried on this site.
Louis XV recovered from a serious illness in 1744.
Believing that this was due to Genevieve, now the patron saint of Paris, he decided to build a basilica.
Construction was started in 1764 to a design by Soufflot.
He died in 1780 and his associate Rondelet took over and completed the building in 1790.
In 1791 the architect Quatremere de Quincy adapted the building to its new role as National Pantheon.