Les Invalides

Les Invalides is simply a shortened form of ‘ Hôpital des Invalides ‘ as it was originally built as a military hospital for injured and disabled soldiers during the second half of the 17th century.

Louis XiV Ordered a retirement home for soldiers named Hôpital des Invalides, which means “Hospital of Veterans,” to be built. At the time, there was no safe haven for soldiers who were sick, elderly, or disabled. With fifteen courtyards, a gold-domed chapel, and enough space for 4,000 residents, Les Invalides was completed in 1660.

On July 14, 1789, a century later, irate rioters stormed Les Invalides and took control of the ammunition stored in the cellars. When they took the cannons and muskets, they stormed the Bastille with them. The rest of French history, as they say, is theirs to tell.

With a military museum and other historical landmarks, Les Invalides is most famous as the resting place of Napoleon, with the tomb under impressive domes.