Les+Invalides

Les invalides “Hôtel des invalides” is the longer name for les invalides, translating to, “The hospital for invalids”. Louis XIV commenced the project of this building for a home and hospital for aged and unwell soldiers, including three parts. This building was built with a hospital, a hotel for soldiers to live in, and a church. At the end of the 17th century, around 4000 soldiers were living here. Later on, the building became what it is known as today- a museum.

The location of Les Invalides made it the center for some historical events taking place in France. Later in the 1700's Parisians came through with cannons and muskets which were used against Bastille both that same day! Also in the 1800's Napoleon was buried with a big ceremony under Les Invalides’ dome. And in 1894 Alfred Dreyfus was shamed before the building and later in the early 1900s had a rehabilitation ceremony in one of the courtyards of Les Invalides.

After being a retirement home for the veterans, Les Invalides became a museum for its artillery and armies called, the “musée d’artillerie”, and “musée historique des armées. The complex became a museum, because it became too big for the veterans’ home. Today, when entering the building, it says “Louis the great, by his royal generosity for his men for the continuation of times, founded this building in 1675”, in Latin