When was Les Invalides established by King Louis XIV?
King Louis XIV issued a royal decree to establish Les Invalides on the 24th of November 1670. This order created what would become known as Les Invalides in Paris.
Questions about Les Invalides
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who designed the Dome chapel at Les Invalides and when was it completed?
Jules Hardouin-Mansart completed the Dome chapel at Les Invalides in 1706 after years of construction. The dome stands 90 meters high and reaches 107 meters when including its lantern.
Where are Napoleon's remains located within Les Invalides?
Napoleon's final resting place is designated as the Dome church under a law passed on the 10th of June 1840. His sarcophagus made of purple quartzite sits within an open crypt surrounded by a circular gallery supported by twelve pillars.
What museums are housed inside the Les Invalides complex today?
The modern complex houses the musée de l'armée which formed from two institutions merged in 1905. It also includes facilities for about one hundred elderly or incapacitated former soldiers living there today.
How did Les Invalides function during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics?
The Esplanade des Invalides served as an expansive green space directly in front of the historic Hôtel des Invalides for multiple sports events. Archery events took place across this wide public esplanade alongside para-archery competitions, road cycling races, and marathon events.