Les Invalides & Pont Alexandre III
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Les Invalides - by Amandine M on Unsplash
Description
Les Invalides is a complex of buildings containing museums and monuments relating to French military history as well as a hospital and retirement home for war veterans (the building's original purpose as "House of the Disabled"). The Royal Chapel known as Dôme des Invalides is the tallest church building in Paris (107m) and was converted as a shrine for some of the country's leading military figures such as Napoleon. The Pont Alexandre III is an arch bridge that spans the Seine and connects the Invalides quarter with the Champs Elysées. The Beaux-Arts bridge was built during the last years of the 19th century and is the most ornate in the city - its style reflects that of the neighbouring Grand Palais. The bridge is watched over by four gilt-bronze statues on top of 17m socles (that provide stabilizing counterweight to the arch): Fame of the Sciences and Fame of the Arts on the right bank and Fame of Commerce and Fame of Industry on the left bank.
Access & Transport
Visitors can easily get there walking from the Eiffel Tower or Champs Elysees. By public transport, there is a high density of metro/ train stations and bus stops in the area with Invalides (lines 8, 13 and RER C), La Tour Maubourg (8) and Varenne (13) the most convenient stations.
Instructions & Recommendations
The area is best approached from the Grand Palais / Champs Elysées side as, crossing the bridge, visitors will get a direct view over the Esplanade des Invalides and the Dôme des Invalides. Take the time to enjoy the bridge and its sculptures - the French National Assembly will be on your left - and then roam around the Invalides complex. We would recommend visiting one of its museums or the Rodin Museum next door, before continuing on towards the Ecole Militaire and the Champs de Mars / Eiffel Tower.
Environmental & Social
We deem this activity to be environmentally neutral. Part of the city's artistic and architectural heritages.
Conclusion
Hard for us to be objective as Pont Alexandre III is our favourite bridge in the city and the views from there across Les Invalides are, in our opinion, spectacular: the proportions, the buildings design, etc. everything seems to fit. Not much to add, is there?
Key positive
Beautiful design and architecture
Very centrally located and easy to get to
No fees involved and not crowded
Key negative
None
Suitability
Suitable for all ages and accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.
About this Rating
TYPE
Onsite
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 20m
est. visit time:1h
Sunrise / early morningOk
MorningOk
Lunch timeOk
AfternoonOk
Sunset / eveningOk
Night – bef. midnightNo
Night – aft. midnightNo