Les Invalides, Military complex in 7th arrondissement, France
Description
Les Invalides is a monumental building complex in the 7th arrondissement of Paris that combines museums, churches, and military institutions. The golden dome rises above limestone walls that enclose grounds of roughly 13 hectares and contain several courtyards and galleries.
History
Louis XIV ordered construction in 1670 to house and care for wounded soldiers from his military campaigns. The architect Libéral Bruant designed the first buildings, while Jules Hardouin-Mansart later added the domed church.
Culture
The Army Museum inside displays uniforms, weapons, and paintings that guide visitors through different periods of French military history. Veterans still participate in ceremonies that recall the original purpose of the complex as a care home for soldiers.
Practical
The site holds Napoleon's tomb, two churches, several exhibition spaces, and still functions as an active center for veterans. Visitors can enter the central courtyard freely, while museums and the domed church require separate tickets.
Did you know?
The central courtyard displays a collection of French bronze cannons with ornate decorations cast into their barrels from the 17th century. Some of these guns bear names of mythological figures cast directly into the metal.
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Tomb of Napoleon
27 m
Dôme des Invalides
20 m
Musée de l'Armée
231 m
Cathédrale Saint-Louis-des-Invalides
0 m
Musée des Plans-Reliefs
171 m
Musée de l'ordre de la Libération
115 m
Historial Charles de Gaulle
217 m
Square Santiago-du-Chili
305 m
Jardin de l'Intendant
108 m
Cour d'honneur des Invalides
163 m
Jardin de l'Abondance
67 m
Vault of Governors
58 m
Statue de Gribeauval
208 m
Jules Hardouin-Mansart
80 m
Jules Hardouin Mansart
78 m
Tribune organ of the Hotel des Invalides
0 m
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
304 m
The Thinker
231 m
La Défense du foyer
298 m
Église du Dôme de l'Hôtel des Invalides de 7e arrondissement de Paris
28 m
Tomb of Joseph Bonaparte
4 mFountain
311 m
Musée historique de l'Armée
0 m
Tomb of Napoleon II of France
5 mFountain
88 m
Tomb of Hubert Lyautey
4 mFountain
300 mBalzac
212 mReal people, real opinions — but not verified.
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