Cour d'honneur des Invalides, cour d'honneur située dans l'hôtel des Invalides à Paris
Welcome to the Hôtel des Invalides, located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. As a tourist guide, I am excited to take you on a tour of the Cour d'Honneur, one of the most symbolic courtyards of this monument. The Cour d'Honneur is situated in the northern part of the Hôtel des Invalides and is the largest courtyard with its dimensions of 102 meters by 64 meters. This paved central space is surrounded by four buildings with arcaded galleries on two floors, showcasing an example of classical architecture from the 17th century. The architect, Libéral Bruand, organized the entire distribution of the site around the Cour d'Honneur, which is a rectangular space that has always been suitable for gatherings and events. To enter the Cour d'Honneur, we will pass through the grand entrance of the north facade, which offers a direct view of the dome of the Invalides. On either side of the courtyard are covered galleries and artillery cannons belonging to the Army Museum. Previously, two large refectories that could accommodate up to 1,500 people were served by two galleries that run along the sides of the courtyard. At the end of these galleries, two staircases lead to the first floor, which used to house the rooms of the invalids. Today, these spaces are dedicated to permanent exhibitions of modern, ancient, and contemporary collections of the Army Museum. On the south face of the Cour d'Honneur, at the first floor, we can see the statue of Napoleon by Charles Émile Seurre. Another sculpture, Vive l'Empereur by Charles Édouard Richefeu, is located on another side of the courtyard, more discreetly. As we walk through the Cour d'Honneur, we can admire the impressive architecture and learn about the history of this monument. The Cour d'Honneur is not only a beautiful space but also a significant part of French history. I hope you enjoyed this tour and learned something new about the Hôtel des Invalides.
Location: 7th arrondissement of Paris
Architect: Libéral Bruant
Architectural style: classical architecture
Length: 102 m
Width: 64 m
Website: musee-armee.fr/votre-visite/les-espaces-du-musee/cour-dhonneur-canons.html
Source: Wikimedia