In 1675, Les Invalides became the first hospital of its kind; it catered to specifically veterans. Louis XIV decided to create a hospital and hospice center where soldiers wounded in his wars could go to recover. For the soldiers who were not severely injured, or had a quick recovery, there were daily drills and exercises that they were expected to complete. For those who were physically unable to participate, Louis XIV provided workshops where the soldiers were expected to learn a craft instead.
The courtyard, the Cour d'Honneur, is where official ceremonies took place for members of the military. Les Invalides was religious-affiliated, since Louis XIV had a church built and attached to the hospital. The chapel, Élgise Saint-Louis des Invalides, was completed in 1679, and is still active for the French military. Certain high-ranking members of the military can get married there, and funerals are also held in the chapel. Along the top of the ceiling are authentic banners which were captured from other troops during Louis XIV's campaign.
The architect of Les Invalides was Hardouin-Mansart, whose masterpiece is considered to be the large dome of the chapel. Louis XIV spent more money constructing Les Invalides (and Élgise Saint-Louis des Invalides) than he did for Versailles. While the actual structure of the hospital wasn't extremely appealing, it was interesting to see where the idea for veteran hospitals first came from. Unfortunately, the chapel was one of my favorites that I've seen yet, but I had no camera that day. If I have a free day again, I'll see what I can do, but until then, I only have a select few from this trip.
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