The Invalides (Hôtel National des Invalides)

The Invalides in Paris

In 1670, King Louis XIV decided to build the "Hôtel Royal des Invalides" for wounded homeless soldiers of its different wars. It was built between 1671 and 1676 by Libéral Bruant, and then by Jules Hardouin-Mansart and Robert de Cotte.

One of the most prestigious monument in Paris.The most significant event in the history of Les Invalides is unquestionably the return of the body of Napoléon in 1840, from St. Helena. On 8 October 1840 - 19 years after the death of the Emperor - the coffin was exhumed.

Nowadays, it still maintains its initial purpose but the building also houses three museums (Army museum, "Plans-Reliefs" museum and Liberation Order museum), Napoleon 1st tomb designed en 1843 and two churches (the Dôme church and Saint-Louis-des-Invalides church).