Les Invalides in Paris

The Les Invalides in Paris is a huge architectural complex with a centuries-old history, located in the heart of the French capital – 129 rue de Grenelle. Opposite it, on the right bank of the Seine is the Grand Élysée Palace, and these two architectural monuments are connected by the luxurious Pont Alexandre III.

This is the second largest construction project after the Palace of Versailles.

In 1670, Le Roi Soleil (Louis XIV) himself ordered the construction of a gigantic shelter in Paris for his crippled soldiers, where they would be “shown mercy with honor and benefit.” This construction project received its name in 1687 precisely because of its original purpose – a military hospital and a home for the care of war veterans. And just three years after the start of work, the first 4,000 pensioners moved into the Les Invalides. It is worth noting that the House of Invalids still remains a refuge for several hundred veterans of the Resistance and the Second World War.
In addition, today this world-famous complex houses several historical museums, including the famous Army Museum, as well as Napoleon’s tomb. Between the Seine embankment and the House of Invalids there is a huge square (500 × 250 m) with many lawns and well-groomed trees. This is the Esplanade of Invalids, created in the early 18th century for the convenience of pedestrian walks and to improve the view of the facade of the House of Invalids itself.
The House of Invalids houses: the Museum of Plans and Reliefs, the Army Museum, the Museum of the Order of Liberation, the Museum of Contemporary History, the Cathedral of the House of Invalids (the Grand Church),
The Grand Church of Saint-Louis des Invalides, known as the “soldier’s chapel”, is still the cathedral of the French armed forces. It was built between 1677 and 1706. The dome of the chapel (Dôme des Invalides) in the shape of a golden crown, 27 meters in diameter, is a true masterpiece in the Baroque style. It was dedicated to Louis XIV and the monarchy and is decorated with twelve kilograms of gold leaf.
More than 400 famous French military personnel from different eras are buried in the Pantheon of the Military. In the depths of the chapel there is a descent to a round crypt with a sarcophagus of the remains of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, made in the form of a matryoshka doll (similar to the tombs of the pharaohs). Napoleon’s ashes are kept in an iron casket, enclosed in a wooden chest made of acacia and in two lead chests, which are in turn in a chest of ebony, which is placed in a chest of oak. And the sarcophagus itself is made of Shoksha raspberry quartzite, which is mistakenly called red marble. Here, at the top of the cathedral, hang flags captured by French soldiers in various battles, like trophies. In addition, the House of Invalids today has great historical and museum significance and is one of the symbols of modern Paris. Be sure to visit this complex, because there really is something to see here! And do not forget to invite a paris girls escort 24/7 from the agency PARIS ESCORT 24 for this walk. She will be very grateful to you for this invitation.