The Hôtel national des Invalides, follow the guide!
Easy to spot in the Parisian landscape thanks to its famous gilded Dôme, the Hôtel national des Invalides is a masterpiece of classic French architecture.
L'Hôtel national des Invalides Façade nord de l'Hôtel des InvalidesMusée de l'Armée - Hôtel des Invalides
The start of your visit
Visitors are greeted by the oldest and most imposing façade of Les Invalides: measuring 640 feet (195 m) in length and 72 feet (22 m) high, its decoration evokes the site's military purpose and royal power.
The royal entrance
Inspired by ancient triumphal arches, the central pavilion depicts Louis XIV as a victorious Roman emperor. The king is surrounded by allegories of Prudence on the left and of Justice on the right, both of which are considered to be royal virtues.
Établissement de l'Hôtel royal des Invalides, le marquis de Louvois présente à Louis XIV le plan devant servir à la construction de l'Hôtel des Invalides (between 1710 and 1715) by Pierre Dulin (Painter)Musée de l'Armée - Hôtel des Invalides
A bit of history …
In the 17th century, Louis XIV was head of the largest army in Europe. Aware that the soldiers were the primary guarantors of French greatness, in 1670, the Sun King decided to build a huge hospice on the outskirts of Paris to house and care for them.
Plan et élévation en perspective d''un des quatre réfectoires des soldats de l''hôtel royal des Invalides qui est le premier en entrant à gauche du côté de Paris Plan et élévation en perspective d''un des quatre réfectoires des soldats de l''hôtel royal des Invalides qui est le premier en entrant à gauche du côté de Paris (17th century) by Jean Lepautre (Engraver)Musée de l'Armée - Hôtel des Invalides
Libéral Bruant, architect of the Hôtel
The Hôtel welcomed its first soldiers in 1674. A hospice, barracks, monastery, hospital, and factory all in one, the Hôtel was run based on a military and religious system. By the end of the reign of Louis XIV, in 1715, it housed over 4,000 residents.
The cour d'honneur (Court of honor)
Once visitors have passed through the royal entrance, they enter the cour d'honneur (Court of honor). Surrounded by two arcaded galleries, this cour is the Hôtel's largest courtyard, measuring 335 feet (102 m) in length and 210 feet (64 m) wide.
Cour d'honneur de l'Hôtel national des Invalides Cérémonies à l'hôtel national des InvalidesMusée de l'Armée - Hôtel des Invalides
Everyone is welcome here
An emblem of citizenship, the cour d'honneur is the venue for national, civil, and military remembrance ceremonies, among other such events.
Look up and open your eyes!
The Secretary of State for War, the Marquis of Louvois, supervised the construction of the Hôtel. Louis XIV refused to display his coat of arms on the building. Vexed, Louvois hid a sculpted message above one of the dormers: "le loup voit!" (the wolf sees!)
Cour d'honneur de l'Hôtel national des Invalides Statue de Napoléon IerMusée de l'Armée - Hôtel des Invalides
Napoleon I watches over the cour d'honneur
Positioned at the top of the Vendôme column between 1833 and 1863, then moved to Les Invalides in 1911, the imposing sculpture was created by Charles Emile Seurre. The bronze was sourced from cannons seized from the enemy during the 1805 campaign, notably at the Battle of Austerlitz.
Paris has two cathedrals
In the heart of the Hôtel, the Soldier's Chapel is located in the extension of the cour d'honneur.
Known as the Saint-Louis Cathedral since 1986, when the diocese aux armées moved into Les Invalides, it became the second cathedral of Paris, alongside Notre-Dame.
Église du Dôme - vue extérieure Le Dôme des InvalidesMusée de l'Armée - Hôtel des Invalides
The Dôme Church
On the south side stands the majestic Dôme Church, completed in 1706. It was designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, who was also the architect of the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. Before the Eiffel tower was constructed, the Dôme, standing 351 feet (107 m) tall, was the tallest building in Paris.
Église du Dôme - vue extérieure Le Dôme des InvalidesMusée de l'Armée - Hôtel des Invalides
The Dôme is covered with 550,000 leaves of gold, which collectively weighs just under 30 pounds! It was last restored in 1989.
Here you are perched on top of the Dome! Enjoy and discover one of the most beautiful views of Paris and its famous monuments.
A story written and edited by the teams of the Musée de l'Armée.
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