Cloister of Val-de-Grâce, Classical abbey in 5th arrondissement, Paris, France.
The Cloister of Val-de-Grâce is a classical abbey in the 5th arrondissement featuring balanced proportions and carefully crafted stone facades. The complex includes a domed church, covered galleries, and adjoining buildings arranged around courtyards.
Queen Anne of Austria commissioned the complex in 1645, with her young son Louis XIV placing the cornerstone at age seven. The abbey functioned as a Benedictine convent for over two centuries before its conversion into a military medical facility.
The complex now houses a military medical museum that reveals how the French army cared for its wounded across different time periods. Visitors can explore how medical practices evolved within an institution dedicated to healing soldiers.
Visits are possible but access is restricted due to the ongoing military use of the grounds. Photography is generally limited to certain areas, so it is worth checking current rules before your visit.
During the French Revolution, Benedictine nuns protected the church from destruction by caring for wounded revolutionaries within its walls. This unexpected act of compassion saved the building from the fate that befell many other religious sites during that period.
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