Les Invalides Amanda Brunellie Pittsburg State University Les Invalides Any individual interested in French history knows about Les Invalides, tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte, and one of the great landmarks of Paris. According to the French Philosopher Baron de Montesquieu, “There is no institution more worthy of respect than the Hotel des Invalides" (History Today, pg 62). Literally translated, Hotel Les Invalides means “hotel for the disabled”. Since its inception, Les Invalides has only grown in size and worth for the people of France. What started as a building for wounded soldiers is now a hospital, a home for veterans, a church, and a museum all wrapped into one massive institution. History Louis XIV, a.k.a. the sun …show more content…
At the entrance of the building stands a statue of the Sun King himself. As people enter they come into the courtyard where military parades were held during Napoleon 's time period. As a reminder of this, a tall bronze statue of Napoleon stands overlooking the yard. A large portion of Les Invalides is dedicated to museums. The most notable of these museums is Musee de l 'Armee: the army museum. This museum was opened in 1905 to the public and is housed on an entire wing of the building. There are artifacts and information on military history from around the globe, making it one of the largest military museums in the world and the largest in France. People come to see Napoleon 's tomb and fall in love with the beauty that is this building. The lure of the golden dome brings people in for a photo opportunity at every corner, and the inside of the building makes one feel like nobility. Les Invalides is truly a building for the people (Les Invalides, the Military Museum and Tomb of Napoleon, para. 1-7) Conclusion Les Invalides started as a beautiful thought from one of the most famous kings of France. It has become a national novelty--one of the wonders of France. When people are given the opportunity to come to Paris, they need to see this building. It is a symbol of the dignity France holds for its people and military officials. A home to some and an inspiration to others, Les Invalides makes the people of France proud to live in