Les Invalides

A shrine to the military history of the French Capital, Les Invalides is a building complex located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. Serving as both a care facility for war veterans and a revered place of worship, the compound was designed in the 17th century in Paris. The hospital complex is situated towards the left bank of the River Seine and faces a long esplanade attached to the great river.

Les Invalides is identified by its grand golden dome and intricately decorated features. Its grandiose architecture is the signature of the Baroque style. Constructed by king Louis XIV as a care facility for French war veterans, the complex still holds to its original purpose. With the Best Europe Packages, visitors can delve into the rich history and architectural splendor of Les Invalides while exploring its fascinating exhibits and attractions.

Les Invalides is home to several tourist attractions including three famous museums and the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. These sites hold your hand and make you travel through time to the era of the French revolution.

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• Napoleon Bonaparte's illustrious mausoleum is located beneath the majestic golden dome that gives Les Invalides their name.
• The rich tales of the French revolution are depicted on the golden dome's walls and roof
• One of the most popular attractions in the complex is the cathedral in the dome of Les Invalides, which King Louis XIV designed in 1676.
• It is highly regarded by historians in addition to being revered by members of the Christian community. 
• Les Invalides is home to the Musee de l'Armee, Paris's national military museum which houses several weaponry, artefacts, and mementos from France's various military campaigns and battles, draws hundreds of visitors each day. 
• Historial de Gaulle is a unique educational experience that is a profound interactive session regarding all the wars, from the First World War to the notorious Algerian War
• Through archival images and unreleased video, this audiovisual exhibit offers visitors the experiences of Charles De Gaulle. 
• The centre area of Les Invalides serves as the Musee de l'Armee main yard.
• The Jardin du Luxembourg, also referred to as the Luxembourg Gardens, is situated in Paris's sixth arrondissement. Marie de Medici, the widow of French King Henry IV, invented it in 1612.Also Checkout A Detailed Guide To Visit: Paris Honeymoon Package From Chennai

The best time to visit Les Invalides would be from the month of June to the month of October. Both the summer and the fall have their highs and lows. From June to August, the weather in Paris is almost always ideal for sightseeing.

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Interesting Facts to Know about Les Invalides

Here are some interesting facts about Les Invalides:

1. The full name of Les Invalides is Hotel national des Invalides which translates to the National Residence of the Invalids.

2. Over 5000 survivors of the Great Army were listed here in 1815.

3. The complex was a medical care and housing unit for French war veterans up until the 20th century.

4. The Musée d'Histoire Contemporaine situated in the complex is home to over one million items related to the French History of the 19th century.

5. The dome of Les Invalides is inspired by St Peter's Basilica in Rome.

6. The dome of the complex is 351 feet high. 

7. Charles de La Fosse painted the dome with a unique space technique inspired by the Baroque style.

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Places to Eat Near Les Invalides

1. Le Florimond: Boasting of a varied range of authentic French and European cuisines, Le Florimond restaurant is known for its scrumptious meals and refreshing drinks. With the famous lobster ravioli and duck as their speciality, the fine dining restaurant is alight with a pleasant ambience, attentive staff and romantic lighting.

2. Pasco Restaurant: This vegetarian-friendly restaurant situated at 74 boulevards de La Tour Maubourg is known for its French and European dishes. The dim lighting and subtle decoration of the interiors give the restaurant the feel of a typical Parisian restaurant while the immaculate staff caters to every customer need.

3. Reed Restaurant: A vibrant city restaurant with a homely domestic vibe, Reed restaurant situated at the 7th arrondissement of Paris. Loved by all its customers, the restaurant glows with a soft ambience while the loving chef herself serves delicious meals. The cuisines served at the restaurant are authentic French and European.

4. Restaurant Cléo: A stylish restaurant with mouth-watering dishes and old wines, Cléo is one of the most famous restaurants in Paris. The restaurant serves French and European cuisines and is equipped with reservation seating, wheelchair and table service.

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Places to Stay Near Les Invalides

1. The Westin Paris - Vendôme: Overlooking the mesmerizing Eiffel tower and the Tuileries gardens, the Westin Paris hotel is a pet-friendly hotel equipped with all modern amenities. The facilities of the hotel include gym, wifi and airport transportation. The rooms in the hotel are current, and the furniture is comfortable. The service is fast, and the staff is warm and friendly.

2. Hotel Le Cinq Codet: Perfectly placed in the heart of one of the most sought after neighbourhoods of Paris, Hotel Le Cinq Codet is known for its breathtaking view of the stylish city. The hotel is famous for its unique facilities like babysitting and gym. The elegant suites come with a minibar, air conditioning and room service.

3. Hotel Plaza Athénée: Situated at the bustling Montaigne Avenue, Hotel Plaza Athénée offers its guests the best that Paris has to offer. This unique restaurant has non-smoking and soundproof rooms that ensure that the stay of its guests is as private and relaxed as possible. Plush with all modern amenities, the hotel boasts of luxurious interiors and comfortable furniture..

4. Hôtel Lutetia: This pet-friendly restaurant located at 25 Avenue Montaigne is a grand luxury hotel offering the most elite and exclusive amenities in Paris. Coming with a DJ Equipped nightclub, the hotel attracts the most affluent of Paris tourists.

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Traveller's Tip Before Visiting Les Invalides

1. Get multimedia guides when visiting the complex, especially if you are visiting with children.

2. Wear light clothing, especially during the summers.

3. Do not litter the complex. Carry a small bag to keep all your expendables in.

4. Read up as much as you can about the French war history. Exploring the museums becomes more fun when you are connected to information in advance

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1. By Metro: One can take the metro to the Eco Militaire subway station or the La Tour-Maubourg subway station from anywhere in the city. Les Invalides is at a walking distance from both these stations.

2. By Bus: The nearest bus stations to Les Invalides is Esplanade des Invalides. One can walk to Les Invalides; they arrive at this stop.

3. By Car/Bike: There are several cab services available in Paris that offer both two and four-wheeler options. Cabs are the most convenient way to commute across the country. 

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