Les Invalides

Walking over the Pont Alexandre III (yesterday’s post), I continued my “tourist tour” of Paris, and decided to visit Les Invalides, just in front of the bridge (or just behind, depending on your direction). I imagine that if you have been to Paris, you have been there, but I must admit that, even after 33 years in Paris, I never went into the building, so it was about time!

The Invalides were built under Louis XIV as a home for aged and unwell soldiers – space for 4000 of them. The full name is of course l’Hôpital des Invalides (no translation needed). The hospital was finished in 1676, immediately completed by a chapel, known as Eglise Saint-Louis des Invalides. The Royal Chapel and the dome were added in 1708 (Louis XIV was still there; he reigned from 1643 to 1715, some 72 years, of course in the beginning helped by Mazarin, his mother, Anne of Austria, and some others.) Several architects were involved, but a major role for the church and the dome was played by Jules Hardouin-Mansart , who also left other traces in history (Versailles, Place Vendôme etc…). He was the nephew of François Mansart, another famous architect.

Under the dome, you will since 1861 find the tomb of Napoleon (designed by Visconti, made of Finnish wood). Napoleon was brought here from Saint Helena already in 1840, but it took some time to prepare his final place of rest. There are also some souvenirs of Napoleon to be seen and some of his family members and other prominent personalities are also buried here.

At the Invalides, you can also find an army museum. In my patchwork you can find a canon and also see how François I (1494-1547) was dressed when he was making wars.

You can find the originals of the photos in the above patchwork on my other blog (Peter - photos).