Les Invalides, officially known as L'Hôtel national des Invalides (The National Residence of the Invalids), is a complex of buildings in the 7th arrondissement (district) of Paris, containing museums and monuments, all relating to the military history of France, as well as a hospital and a retirement home for war veterans, the building's original purpose. The buildings house the Musée de l'Armée, the military museum of the Army of France, the Musée des Plans-Reliefs, and the Musée d'Histoire Contemporaine, as well as the burial site for some of France's war heroes, notably Napoleon Bonaparte.
Unkown to many, is that the name “Les Invalides” is actually a shortened form of “Hôpital des Invalides” meaning “The Hospital for Invalids”. Hinted in its name, the building complex was originally built as a large hospital and home for soldiers who had been injured during war.
Les Invalides was initiated by King Louis XIV on November 24th 1670 and the building complex stood finished later in 1675. The chapel area of Les Invalides was added shortly after the completion of the main area and the veteran’s chapel was finished in year 1679. During the construction phase, Louis enlarged the project and added more and more structures around the original few. The first soldiers moved into the buildings already in 1674 and the complex was officially opened in 1675. When it all stood completed in 1676, the complex had fifteen courtyards. The front side towards the river measured a massive 196 meters and still stands as grand as ever, with the massive Esplanade des Invalides to its north.
Military hospital
The military hospital was included in the south-east part of the complex, which was the place where soldiers who were injured were treated. The other parts of the Les Invalides, except the church and the dome structure, served more as a hotel where soldiers who had been injured - but who still could live a somewhat normal life - lived. The lives of the former soldiers were much like their previous life in the barracks, as they were divided into companies and still wore uniform. However, instead of getting military education, they worked together in workshops, making various items such as uniforms and shoes. For this reason, “Hôpital des Invalides” is also sometimes known as “Hôtel des Invalides”. During the end of the 17th century, Les Invalides housed in total around 4000 soldiers. The project became an example to follow for many other European countries, which soon afterwards also opened homes for injured soldiers.
Northern entrance
One of the things that stand out with Les Invalides when entering from the north is the beautiful gate. Visitors can see a Latin inscription above the entrance. The inscription says “Louis the Great, by his royal generosity for his men for the continuation of times, founded this building in 1675.” In this case, Louis the Great refers to Louis XIV. On the left side of the inscription sits the virtue of wisdom and on the right the virtue of justice. In between them one can see an equestrian statue of Louis himself and above this statue - a sun with a human face on it. The Sun is there due to the fact that Louis XIV was during his reign commonly known as “the Sun King”. The whole northern gate is commonly known as “Le Roi-Soleil” which means just that; The Sun King. Both sides of the gate are adorned with a large statue. On the right side stand the Roman warrior goddess and the goddess of wisdom, Minerva, accompanied by her owl. To the left stands the Roman God of War, Mars, accompanied by his wolf companion. When goring through the northern gate, visitors enter the largest of the Les Invalides fifteen courtyards; the Cour d’honneur in which large military parades were held . On the south side of the courtyard, towards the church and the dome, visitors can see that Napoleon Bonaparte still watches over his troops, even though he is a bit taller than we are used to and made entirely out of bronze.
Today a large part of the Les Invalides is dedicated to museums, the most famous one being the Musée de l’Armée; the Army Museum. This museum was opened 1905 and is considered one of the greatest art and military museums in the world. The fact that the museum itself is located at the heart of a large historical site offers an exceptional aspect to it which few other museums can match.
Église Saint-Louis des Invalides
The soldiers’ chapel opened in 1677 - only one year after the completion of the main Hôpital des Invalides. The chapel was officially finished later, in 1679. The chapel is known as Église Saint-Louis des Invalides. When entering this church, visitors say it is unlike any other church in Paris. In contrast to many of the Gothic churches in Paris, the Saint-Louis church is very light and the much of the interior consists of white shining marble. Another thing which distinguishes the church is its connection to the Les Invalides with its military background. This background is embraced throughout the church, as visitors can see a multitude of different banners and flags hanging from the walls. The church is also unique in the fact that it is still rather unknown, despite being located on a major tourist site.
Another evidence of the church’s military connection can be found under it, in its crypt. Under Les Invalides and Église Saint-Louis lie a large number of French 19th and 20th century officers and generals interred. “The Soldiers Church”, as it is sometimes called, is not only known for its military background. The church also houses one of the largest instruments in France; its beautiful organ. The organ is located at the back of the chapel, above the entrance. The original organ was built during year 1686, but has throughout the year received many restorations. There are still however, some original stops from the 17th century left in the organ.
Église du Dôme
Shortly after the veterans' chapel was completed, Louis XIV constructed a separate private royal chapel, which was named “Église du Dôme”. The architect for the dome was Jules Hardouin-Mansart and the royal chapel stood finished 1706, in which it was inaugurated by the king himself. The royal chapel is considered one of the very finest examples of French Baroque architecture.The dome itself was inspired by the origin of all Baroque domes; the dome of the grand St. Peters Basilica in Rome. The Église du Dôme has in turn been the inspiration for several other buildings, including the San Francisco City Hall.In 1989 during the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution, the dome was regilded for the 5th time since its creation. During the process, a large number of thin gold leaves were used. The total weight equaled around ten kilos pure gold. Église du Dôme is without a doubt one of the most beautiful buildings in Paris. As well as the exterior, the interior is also breathtaking. The magnificent paintings covering the roof of Église du Dôme, were originated from late 17th to early 18th century.
While the gold-glimmering dome is certainly impressive, the Église du Dôme is most known for what it stores inside. The dome is not so much used as a religious chapel; it is rather used as a military mausoleum. The dome provides the final rest for several well noted French military leaders, the most famous one being Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.
After his defeat in the battle of Waterloo, the new French ruler Louis XVIII - who had been installed by the victorious Coalition forces - had Napoleon exiled to the British island of Sankt Helena outside West Africa. The island became Napoleon’s home until his death in 1821. Later, under the rule of King Louis-Philippe, Napoleon was brought back to France after seven years of negotiations with the British Government. His remains were brought to Les Invalides in which his tomb was placed in the center of the dome in year 1861, where it still stands today. The massive tomb of Napoleon is made of a brownish red material. This material is called Russian red porphyry while the base of the tomb is made of green granite from the Vosges. Visitors paying extra attention to the tomb will see inscriptions surrounding it. These inscriptions are all the locations of some of Napoleons largest victories, for example the battle of the Pyramids in 1798 and the battle of Friedland in 1807.
Text Sources : worldsiteguides and wikipedia
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| Photo by rvr |
Les Invalides was initiated by King Louis XIV on November 24th 1670 and the building complex stood finished later in 1675. The chapel area of Les Invalides was added shortly after the completion of the main area and the veteran’s chapel was finished in year 1679. During the construction phase, Louis enlarged the project and added more and more structures around the original few. The first soldiers moved into the buildings already in 1674 and the complex was officially opened in 1675. When it all stood completed in 1676, the complex had fifteen courtyards. The front side towards the river measured a massive 196 meters and still stands as grand as ever, with the massive Esplanade des Invalides to its north.
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| Photo by beatsrhymesnlife |
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| Photo by Adam Polselli |
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| Photo by thausj |
The military hospital was included in the south-east part of the complex, which was the place where soldiers who were injured were treated. The other parts of the Les Invalides, except the church and the dome structure, served more as a hotel where soldiers who had been injured - but who still could live a somewhat normal life - lived. The lives of the former soldiers were much like their previous life in the barracks, as they were divided into companies and still wore uniform. However, instead of getting military education, they worked together in workshops, making various items such as uniforms and shoes. For this reason, “Hôpital des Invalides” is also sometimes known as “Hôtel des Invalides”. During the end of the 17th century, Les Invalides housed in total around 4000 soldiers. The project became an example to follow for many other European countries, which soon afterwards also opened homes for injured soldiers.
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| Photo by Christophe EYQUEM |
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| Photo by curiouslypersistent |
One of the things that stand out with Les Invalides when entering from the north is the beautiful gate. Visitors can see a Latin inscription above the entrance. The inscription says “Louis the Great, by his royal generosity for his men for the continuation of times, founded this building in 1675.” In this case, Louis the Great refers to Louis XIV. On the left side of the inscription sits the virtue of wisdom and on the right the virtue of justice. In between them one can see an equestrian statue of Louis himself and above this statue - a sun with a human face on it. The Sun is there due to the fact that Louis XIV was during his reign commonly known as “the Sun King”. The whole northern gate is commonly known as “Le Roi-Soleil” which means just that; The Sun King. Both sides of the gate are adorned with a large statue. On the right side stand the Roman warrior goddess and the goddess of wisdom, Minerva, accompanied by her owl. To the left stands the Roman God of War, Mars, accompanied by his wolf companion. When goring through the northern gate, visitors enter the largest of the Les Invalides fifteen courtyards; the Cour d’honneur in which large military parades were held . On the south side of the courtyard, towards the church and the dome, visitors can see that Napoleon Bonaparte still watches over his troops, even though he is a bit taller than we are used to and made entirely out of bronze.
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| Photo by Thesupermat |
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| Photo by Juanedc |
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| Photo by thausj |
Musée de l’Armée
Today a large part of the Les Invalides is dedicated to museums, the most famous one being the Musée de l’Armée; the Army Museum. This museum was opened 1905 and is considered one of the greatest art and military museums in the world. The fact that the museum itself is located at the heart of a large historical site offers an exceptional aspect to it which few other museums can match.
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| Photo by fmpgoh |
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| Photo by fmpgoh |
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| Photo by dalbera |
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| Photo by giacomobaldini |
The soldiers’ chapel opened in 1677 - only one year after the completion of the main Hôpital des Invalides. The chapel was officially finished later, in 1679. The chapel is known as Église Saint-Louis des Invalides. When entering this church, visitors say it is unlike any other church in Paris. In contrast to many of the Gothic churches in Paris, the Saint-Louis church is very light and the much of the interior consists of white shining marble. Another thing which distinguishes the church is its connection to the Les Invalides with its military background. This background is embraced throughout the church, as visitors can see a multitude of different banners and flags hanging from the walls. The church is also unique in the fact that it is still rather unknown, despite being located on a major tourist site.
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| Photo by Xavier Bouchevreau |
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| Photo by notmydayjobphotography |
Shortly after the veterans' chapel was completed, Louis XIV constructed a separate private royal chapel, which was named “Église du Dôme”. The architect for the dome was Jules Hardouin-Mansart and the royal chapel stood finished 1706, in which it was inaugurated by the king himself. The royal chapel is considered one of the very finest examples of French Baroque architecture.The dome itself was inspired by the origin of all Baroque domes; the dome of the grand St. Peters Basilica in Rome. The Église du Dôme has in turn been the inspiration for several other buildings, including the San Francisco City Hall.In 1989 during the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution, the dome was regilded for the 5th time since its creation. During the process, a large number of thin gold leaves were used. The total weight equaled around ten kilos pure gold. Église du Dôme is without a doubt one of the most beautiful buildings in Paris. As well as the exterior, the interior is also breathtaking. The magnificent paintings covering the roof of Église du Dôme, were originated from late 17th to early 18th century.
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| Photo by Aparajith |
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| Photo by Aparajith |
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| Photo by Aparajith |
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| Photo by Aparajith |
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| Photo by Aparajith |
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| Photo by jiuguangw |
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| Photo by Son of Groucho |
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| Photo by teachandlearn |
Text Sources : worldsiteguides and wikipedia
