In an order of 1670 Louis XIV announced the construction of a shelter for old soldiers, "to construct a royal edifice of satisfactory size and space to receive and lodge all officers and men who are crippled or old and frail and to guarantee sufficient funds for their subsistence and upkeep." Louis himself chose the design of Liberal Bruant The first stone was laid in 1671, and in 1674 the first old soldiers entered, and had been received in person by Louis.

On the left you can see this fraction of the building, nevertheless the church had not already been constructed. This was planned by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. You want to visit that amazing place, take an appartement de luxe paris
On the left is the church with a close up of the famous dome on the right.

On being accepted the candidate was given a comb, wooden spoon, knife, uniform and shoes. 2 or three officers shared a room, while soldiers got small dormitories of four or six beds. No wine or foodstuff was allowed into the rooms, moreover smoking and ladies was not allowed anyplace inside Invalides. Married soldiers was allowed to sleep out twice a week. All was obliged to be present at ceremony on Sunday.
Napoleon's ashes was brought to Les Invalides away from St. Helena on the 15th of December 1840. Later on, the 14th of April 1861 they had been moved to the crypt, where they had been housed in a tomb created by Visconti. The tomb is six nested coffins, somewhat like a Russian doll. The mass was attended by Napoleon III. You already know everything in Paris, go in Italy and take an Appartement près de la Fontaine de Trévise.

The gold covered dome houses Napoleon's sepulcher. The gold is real, and was applied to celebrate the bicentenary of the revolution. The Invalides is in addition home to the Musée de l'Armée, This isa fascinating attraction for anyone paying attention in the military history of the humanity.