House of Invalids

The House of Invalids owes its origin to Louis XIV, who decided to raise the prestige of the French army and provide a dignified old age for aging and maimed soldiers. In 1671, on the left bank of the Seine, where there was a vast wasteland at the time, the construction of a pious institution began, the architect of which was Liberal Bruant. The first veterans moved in just three years later; the work was completed in 1677. The capacity of the institution was about 4000 people. By the end of the 18th century, the complex, created as a shelter, had turned into a miniature city, which housed barracks, a hospital, dining rooms, and a parade ground. In 1706, a basilica was built in the central courtyard by order of the king, modeled on the Roman Cathedral of Saint Peter.

The residents of the House observed almost military disciplinary requirements: smoking and alcohol were prohibited in the premises, fasting and constant wearing of uniform were mandatory conditions of residence. Veterans, united in squads, worked in craft workshops and participated in guards according to their abilities. Those who violated the rules were punished, from food restrictions to expulsion.

The complex that includes the church and chapel of Les Invalides was designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, starting in 1676. The chapel building was designated as the private chapel of the monarch, allowing him to attend religious services without mingling with the veteran invalids, although it was almost never used for this purpose. This chapel later became known as the Church of Saint-Louis-des-Invalides, and the veterans residing there were required to attend daily church services. Soon after the start of the chapel's construction for the veterans, King Louis XIV commissioned Mansart to build a separate royal chapel, now known as the Église du Dôme due to its most distinctive feature. The construction of the Dôme Church was completed in 1706. The cathedral building is architecturally a unified whole, but in fact dual: the nave houses the soldiers' church, while the domed part became the dome church. In 1873, the building was divided in two by a glass partition. The interior of the soldiers' church is adorned with ancient flags of conquered lands.

For much of its existence, the House of Invalids primarily served as a retirement home and hospital for military veterans, commonly referred to as "invalides”. However, by the early 20th century, its role evolved. In 1872, the Artillery Museum, known as the musée d'artillerie, found its home within the complex. In 1896, it was joined by the Historical Museum of the Armies, and in 1905, these two institutions merged to create the present-day Musée de l'Armée. Simultaneously, the veterans in residence were relocated to smaller facilities outside of Paris. This shift was prompted by the adoption of a predominantly conscript army after 1872, which led to a significant reduction in the number of veterans meeting the previous requirement of twenty or more years of military service to qualify for the Hôpital des Invalides. Consequently, the vast building became too large for its original purpose. However, the modern complex still provides facilities for approximately one hundred elderly or incapacitated former soldiers.

In 1905, when the Army Museum at the House of Invalids was established, the veterans' chapel came under its administrative oversight. Today, it serves as the cathedral of the Diocese of the French Armed Forces and is officially known as Cathédrale Saint-Louis-des-Invalides.

The House of Invalids endures as a quintessential exemplar of French Baroque architecture, soaring to a height of 107 meters, and stands as an enduring symbol of France's absolute monarchy.

The complex of buildings is beautifully visible from the Seine embankment and the bridge built in honor of the Emperor of All Russia, Alexander III. From here, an esplanade leads to the House, created by Robert de Cotte. The square is spread with lawns, a row of artillery trophies, and French cannons.

The inner courtyard of the House of Invalids, intersecting with the esplanade, creates the largest open space in the city, where there are also buildings of embassies and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Grand and Petit Palaces, located on the opposite bank of the Seine, complete the harmonious urban ensemble. The decoration of the 196-meter ceremonial facade of the House of Invalids, an example of classical architecture, became an arched portal with an engraved figure of the Sun King on horseback.

The entire complex consists of four-story buildings forming fifteen courtyards, in the main of which is the architectural center - a baroque cathedral. Its round dome, decorated with a stylized image of military trophies and topped with a lantern and spire, dominates the entire system of buildings. Directly opposite the main entrance is the cathedral of Saint Louis des Invalides (cathédrale Saint-Louis-des-Invalides), an example of the architecture of the so-called "grand style" of the era of Louis XIV, combining elements of classicism and baroque.

To this day, pensioners and veterans who have dedicated themselves to serving their homeland live here. For the convenience of former soldiers and officers, who are cared for by the National Institute of Invalids, a hospital, a pharmacy, and church services are operated on the territory of the complex. In addition, the administration of the Paris military commandant's office is located within the walls of the palace.

The Dome chapel underwent a transformation into a military necropolis during the early 19th century. In September 1800, Napoleon designated it as the final resting place for Louis XIV's renowned general, Turenne. This was followed by the relocation of Vauban's tomb in 1807-1808. In 1835, beneath the church, an underground gallery became the resting place for the remains of 14 individuals who fell victim to Giuseppe Marco Fieschi's unsuccessful assassination attempt on Louis-Philippe I.

A significant turning point occurred when the building was officially chosen to house Napoleon's tomb.

As it is known, the emperor passed away on the island of Saint Helena in 1821, where he was in exile. By the decision of Louis-Philippe, in 1840, Napoleon's remains were transported back to his homeland. In the center of the cathedral, under the dome, lies a powerful sarcophagus made of red Karelian stone — 4 meters in length, 2 meters in width, and 5 meters in height. It stands on a high pedestal of green granite. Napoleon's ashes are kept in an iron chest. But, like a pharaoh's tomb, the chest is enclosed in one wooden acacia trunk and two lead chests. Those, in turn, are contained in a chest made of black wood and, finally, oak. The sarcophagus and its lid are adorned with decorations in the form of laurel wreaths, and around it, on the marble floor, the names of Napoleon's great victories are laid out in gold. To read them, one must bend down, which was the architect's intention - a bow to the emperor. The sarcophagus is surrounded by 12 goddesses of victory, and in the circular corridor, there are bas-reliefs. The images represent the main events from Napoleon's life and activities, his major achievements.

Around the emperor's tomb are buried his brothers Joseph and Jerome. The ashes of his son, the King of Rome — "The Eaglet," also rest here. Also located here are the graves of Generals Bertrand and Duroc, as well as the celebrated marshals of the 20th century, Foch and Lyautey.