France's Panthéon adds public portraits during renovation

The Panthéon mausoleum — the final resting place for 72 of France's renowned men and just one woman — will get a little more égalité during its next two years of renovations.

Days after announcing that two women who fought with the French Resistance during the Second World War will be interred at the Panthéon, the French government announced today that the faces of thousands of ordinary people will be on show in a huge art installation there.

For the next month, anyone can upload a photo at the Panthéon website for consideration.

JR — a photographer known for his giant street-art portraits — is also travelling around France to find people who want a place in the building that houses the remains of Victor Hugo, Voltaire, and Marie Curie, among others.

Artist and photographer spoke to reporters about the project in Paris Tuesday at the Panthéon, which will see its dome renovated.

The installation will begin April 22.