Hotel des Invalides, with its magnificent gilded dome, was the tallest building in Paris at 107 metres high for almost two centuries, until the Eiffel Tower was built in 1889, from which this photo was taken.
Located in the 7th arrondissement, the Hotel National des Invalides was founded in 1671 under Louis XIV as a shelter for old soldiers who had become needy due to their service in the French army.
The architect of Les Invalides was Libéral Bruant.
The architect of the Dôme was Jules Hardouin-Mansart. It was built between 1677 and 1707 and based on the dome of St Peter's Church in Rome.
Napoleon interred it here in 1861.
So much for practical information.
From the Eiffel Tower, this magnificent dome immediately catches the eye as the sun reflects its rays on the dome. It towers radiantly above the city.
In this play of light and architecture, Paris becomes more than a city: it becomes a story, a painting, a monument of eternal beauty.
To the right behind the Dôme, you can see the Église Saint-Sulpice, only slightly smaller than Notre Dame and thus the second largest church in France.
The view from the Eiffel Tower is spectacular, especially on a clear day and well worth seeing.
As the daughter of a photographer, photography has been a big part of my life. I love nature and especially flowers, so you see this most in my work. I have worked as an independent make-up artist for over 15 years, developing my eye for detail. Composition.. Read more…