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 ComplexThe 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 Invalidesa gold-domed building now used as a burial site for a number of the country's war heroes

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.

. 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.).

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.

Napoleon's Tombwhose 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.

Napoleon's

Tomb

Napoleon Bonaparte,

The present dome of the United States Capitol, designed by Thomas U. Walter, was inspired in part by the dome at Les Invalides

San Francisco City Hall Built in 1914-1915,