Les Invalides, Architecture

1. Les Invalides, Paris, was initially designed by Libéral Bruant (1635-97) as a
hospital for disabled army veterans and completed by 1677. However, even
before the completion, Louis XIV was planning a second chapel on a grander
sale. In 1680 J.H. Mansart produced the final design for the Dome des Invalides
The Invalides Complex
The complex of buildings known as
Les Invalides sits in Paris's 7th
arrondissement and consists of
museums and monuments related to
the military history of France. The
most recognizable and well-known
part of Les Invalides is the Dôme des
Invalides,
Dôme des Invalides
a gold-domed building now used as a
burial site for a number of the
country's war heroes

2. a Greek cross inscribed in a square
with an attached circular presbytery
It has a circular crossing with vast
free-standing columns and diagonal
passages to the corner chapels.
. The correctness and precision of its
form, the harmony and balance of its
spaces, and the soaring vigour of its
dome make it a landmark not only of
the Paris skyline but also of European
Baroque architecture.

4. The dome itself is 107 meters
high (351 ft), making it one of
the tallest monuments in Paris,
and was centrally placed in order
to dominate the court of honor -
one of 15 courtyards at the
complex, designed for military
parades. The inside of the dome
was painted by Charles de La
Fosse, disciple of 18th century
well-known French painter,
Charles Le Brun.
. Externally, a towering effect is achieved by the pointed profile of the dome, the steeple-like
lantern and the unusual insertion of a tall attic above the drum. Of the three shells of the
dome two are visible internally. A coffered dome with a very wide oculus opens onto a further
frescoed skin, an idea which was later developed by Vittone at Vallinotto (q.v.).

5. Napoleon's
Napoleon
Bonaparte,
Napoleon's Tomb
Tomb
whose last wish was to be buried at the banks of the
Seine River, died on the island of St. Helena and was
buried there until King Louis-Philippe decided to have
his body exhumed and returned to Paris in 1840. He
chose to have him entombed at Les Invalides.

10. San Francisco City Hall Built in 1914-1915,
The present dome of the United States Capitol,
designed by Thomas U. Walter, was inspired in
part by the dome at Les Invalides