Dôme des Invalides, Baroque dome at Les Invalides complex, Paris, France
The Dôme des Invalides reaches 107 meters high and features a gilded cupola visible across Paris, standing as part of the military complex.
Louis XIV commissioned the structure in 1670, and architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart completed the construction of the dome between 1677 and 1707.
The dome houses Napoleon Bonaparte's tomb, with his remains placed in a red quartzite sarcophagus surrounded by marble sculptures and military victories.
Visitors can access the dome and Napoleon's tomb daily from 10:00 to 18:00 from April through October, with reduced hours during winter months.
The painted ceiling inside the dome creates optical effects through multiple levels of artwork depicting Saint Louis presenting his sword to Christ.
Location: Invalides
Inception: 1708
Architects: Jules Hardouin-Mansart
Architectural style: baroque architecture
Height: 107 m
Part of: Les Invalides
GPS coordinates: 48.85500,2.31222
Latest update: October 20, 2025 09:20
The domes of Paris form distinctive elements of the city silhouette. The Invalides with its golden dome, the Pantheon with its neoclassical structure, and the Grand Palais with its glass dome demonstrate the architectural diversity of the city. The department stores Galeries Lafayette and Le Printemps feature Art Nouveau glass cupolas.
This collection brings together notable domes and cupolas from all continents, signs of diverse architectural traditions extending from the Vatican to Australia, Russia to the United Arab Emirates. From the famous dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome to the colorful domes of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in Saint Petersburg, the Renaissance dome of Florence Cathedral, to the cast-iron dome of the US Capitol in Washington, each structure tells a particular story and reflects the ambitions of its era. These buildings span several centuries of architectural innovation and serve various functions: religious structures like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque or the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Côte d'Ivoire, civil buildings such as Oxford's Radcliffe Camera or the Australian Exhibition Palace, and even thermal spas like Budapest’s Széchenyi Baths. Each dome illustrates construction techniques and aesthetic decisions specific to its culture, offering insight into skills that enabled the creation of these monumental coverings.
Les Invalides
20 m
Musée Rodin
266 m
Musée de l'Armée
228 m
Cathédrale Saint-Louis-des-Invalides
20 m
Hôtel Biron
266 m
Musée des Plans-Reliefs
179 m
Musée de l'ordre de la Libération
101 m
Historial Charles de Gaulle
220 m
Jardin de l'Intendant
91 m
Cour d'honneur des Invalides
166 m
Jardin de l'Abondance
69 m
Statue de Gribeauval
203 m
Café - Restaurant L'augustine
276 m
Jules Hardouin-Mansart
71 m
Jules Hardouin Mansart
68 m
Tribune organ of the Hotel des Invalides
20 m
The Thinker
250 m
Marshal Gallieni
149 m
Église du Dôme de l'Hôtel des Invalides de 7e arrondissement de Paris
36 m
Marshal Fayolle
165 m
Tomb of Joseph Bonaparte
23 m
Jardin du Musée Rodin
257 m
Musée historique de l'Armée
20 m
Tomb of Napoleon II of France
21 m
Tomb of Napoleon
34 m
Memorial to the Victims of Terrorism
149 m
Tomb of Hubert Lyautey
23 m
Reviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover 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