Les Invalides is a popular place of interest among tourists visiting the French capital city. It is at the same time a museum, a historical monument and a base used for military purposes. Les Invalides constitutes of a collection of monuments in Paris and is the largest complex in the city. The Les Invalides houses the following monuments:
- Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération
- Musée de l'Armée
- L'Eglise de St-Louis-des-Invalides
- Musée des Plans-Reliefs
History of Les Invalides
The Sun King, Louis XIV established Les Invalides in the year 1670. Initially, an old soldier's home was constructed with the funds that were collected by levying a five year tax on the salaries of soldiers serving the army at that time. In 1671, the foundation stone was laid, for the construction of a complex to accommodate 4,000 people. The plan was designed by Libéral Bruant, and was finally completed in 1676. The construction of the dome had started in the year 1706 according to the plan made by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. The construction was finally finished by de Cotte after the death of Mansart in 1708.
The year 1840 is a notable event in the history of Les Invalides, as the body of Napoléon was returned to the country. The remains of Nepoleon were finally obtained after seven years of negotiation with the British government.
Design of Les Invalides
The main facade of Les Invalides expands on both sides of the vast semicircular-arched doorway. The arches rest on the statues of Minerva and Mars, Warring Valor and Armed Wisdom, which were carved
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out by Guillaume Coustou. The statue of Louis XIV on the horseback is located on the pediment. The main entrance has three large inlet windows and semi-circular arches.
The two doors flank the entrance of Les Invalides. The semi circular arches of the pediment, the bulls-eyes and the tops of windows are beautifully decorated with garlands and cable molding. The facade is border by the two pavilions. The garden lies in front of the façade, surrounded by ramparts a la Vauban and with cannons from the 17th and 18th century.
Les Invalides is open throughout the year except on December 25, November 1, January 1, May 1, and the first Mondays of every month. From October to March 31, the museum is open from 10 am to 4:45 pm, and from April to September 30 it remains open from 10 AM to 5:45 PM. The Dome church and the Tomb of Napoleon I are open from 10 AM to 6:45 PM from 15th June to 15th September. This place occupies a very prominent place in the history of France and is visited by thousands of people every year.
and is equipped with excellent lighting facilities.
Stade De France can be accessed easily by train, car, bus and metro. Visitors can avail the Metro line 13 and get down at Saint-Denis Porte de Paris. While traveling by train, one can get down either at Gare de l'Est or Gare Saint-Lazare, Gare du Nord, Gare de Lyon or at Montparnasse. The bus lines 139, 153, 173, 255 and 350 connect the stadium to nearby places. It takes just 50 min from Roissy CDG airport, 1h15 from Orly airport and 25 min from Gare du Nord station to reach the stadium.
Tourists can also visit the stadium as one of the attractions of the city. There are various tours that are conducted during the off-seasons. The Stade De France is open for public viewing every day, except on the days of an event or during the preparation
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