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The Hôtel des Invalides in Paris is a landmark hotel and museum that is dedicated to the French military history. It was originally built in 1671 as a hospital for war veterans by Louis XIV. The king wanted to provide a place where the veterans could be taken care of and given refuge, and the hospital soon became a popular destination for injured soldiers.
When the King was deciding to make Les Invalides Paris, he had a few projects to choose from different architects. Liberal Bruant architecture impressed the King because it provided accommodation for 4000 soldiers. Les Invalides consisted of five courts that functioned as houses, sick quarters, and a refectory. The biggest central court was royal.
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Over the years, the Hôtel national des Invalides has been expanded and renovated, and it now contains several museums and monuments relating to the military history of France. The hotel is still home to veterans under the Institution Nationale des Invalides.
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Things to do at Hôtel des Invalides:
Visiting Les Invalides is the first step to an amazing experience in Paris to learn about the history of France. Here are some of the places you can visit within Les Invalides.
Visit the Cathedral of Saint-Louis des Invalides
The Cathedral of Saint-Louis des Invalides is a Catholic church in Paris, France. It is the principal church of the military ordinariate of France. The cathedral was built as a shrine to house the relics of Saint Louis, King of France, and to serve as the chapel of the Order of Saint Louis.
Construction began in 1677 and was completed in 1706.
The most prominent monument in the Les Invalides complex is the tomb of Napoléon Bonaparte, the first Emperor of the French. His remains were transferred to Les Invalides on 15 December 1840. The tomb was designed by Louis Visconti and is located in the emperor’s former bedroom.
The cathedral on its own is a marvel of beauty, art, and architecture. You will see flags of the territories that were conquered by french troops and witness different architectural features throughout the Cathedral.
See Related: Best Catholic Churches in Paris, France
Visit the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte
The Tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte is a large and prominent monument in the complex of Les Invalides in Paris, France. It was designed by the architect Maximilien Robespierre and built between 1806 and 1840. The tomb was commissioned by Napoléon’s son, Emperor Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, and is the only surviving structure from Napoléon’s Grande Armée.
Napoléon Bonaparte was the first Emperor of the French, and his tomb is a popular tourist destination in Les Invalides. The monument was designed by Maximilien Robespierre and features a large bronze statue of Napoléon on top. The tomb is located in the emperor’s former bedroom, and his remains were transferred there from Saint Helena in 1840.
The most prominent feature of the tomb is the large bronze statue of Napoléon on top. The statue was created by the sculptor François Rude and shows Napoléon mounted on a horse. The statue is 18 feet tall and weighs 2.5 tons.
The tomb is also decorated with several bronze reliefs, which depict scenes from Napoléon’s life. The most famous of these reliefs is The Coronation of Napoleon, which shows Napoléon being crowned emperor by the Pope.
The tomb is a popular tourist destination in Les Invalides, and it is open to the public. You can visit it free of charge.
See Related: Top 10 Churches in Paris to Visit
Visit Les Invalides’ Museums
The Les Invalides museums are a must-see in Paris. They offer visitors a unique look into the military history of France.
The Musée de l’Armée
The Musée de l’Armée is a museum of military history located in the Les Invalides complex in Paris, France. The museum was founded in 1807 by Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte and is the oldest military museum in the world.
The Musée de l’Armée is home to a large collection of weapons and armor from the Middle Ages to the present day. The museum also contains a large collection of paintings, drawings, and sculptures related to military history.
The Musée de l’Armée is one of the most popular museums in Paris, and it is open to the public free of charge.
The Musée de l’Armée is located in the Les Invalides complex in Paris, France. The museum was founded in 1807 by Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte and is the oldest military museum in the world.
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The Musée des Plans-Reliefs
The Musée des Plans-Reliefs is a museum of military architecture located in the Les Invalides complex in Paris, France. The museum was founded in 1905 and is dedicated to the history of French fortifications.
The Musée des Plans-Reliefs is a small museum with a collection of scale models of French fortifications from the Middle Ages to the present day. The museum is open to the public free of charge.
See Related: Assemblée Nationale
The Musée de l’Ordre de la Libération
The Musée de l’Ordre de la Libération is a museum of the French resistance located in Les Invalides in Paris, France. The museum was founded in 1957 and is dedicated to the history of the French resistance during World War II.
The Musée de l’Ordre de la Libération is a small museum with a collection of photographs, documents, and artifacts related to the French resistance during World War II. The museum is open to the public free of charge.
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Musée d’Histoire Contemporaine
The Musée d’Histoire Contemporaine is a museum of French history located in Les Invalides in Paris, France. The museum was founded in 1938 and is dedicated to the history of modern France from the 18th century to the present day.
The Musée d’Histoire Contemporaine is a large museum with a collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, and artifacts from the 18th century to the present day. The museum is open to the public free of charge.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Paris is a great experience with a lot of fun things to do in the city. After visiting Les Invalides, you can visit other surrounding areas and check out the magnificent areas around the city.
To have the best time in Paris, make sure to plan your itinerary earlier so you can easily move from one place to the next. Welcome to the City of Lights.
FAQs
What is Les Invalides famous for?
The Invalides, the full Hôtel National of Invalides, also called the Royal Invalides, is a complex with 17th-century buildings and patios in Paris that serve the care and accommodation of disabled veterans and as a church building.
How much does it cost to visit Les Invalides?
Les invalids. The site includes 15 courtyards, a church, and various architectural triumphs. A ticket for entering the museum is also valid on entry to the Napoleon Tomb. The courtyard, church, and garden can be visited freely.
The cost of a ticket at Les Invalides is 8 euros for adults, and free for children under the age of 18.
Who were the Invalides in the French Revolution?
The Hotel des Invalides was established by Charles IV in 1772 to provide lodging and hospitalization for wounded soldiers. In 1815 the Great Army numbered more than 5,000 survivors.
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