Hôtel des Invalides  

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1. Hôtel des Invalides

This was the first military hospital and was build from 1671 to 1676 by Louis XIV. The dome crowning the church is the work of Jules Hardouin-Mansart, and is a perfect symbol of the splendor Louis XIV wanted under his reign. Today the harmonious Classical façade is one of the most impressive sights in Paris with its garden and tree-lined esplanade stretching to the Seine.

Opening hours: daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (5:00 pm in winter)
Price: € 8,5 (This ticket gives access to the Musée de l'Armée, Napoleon's Tomb, the Contemporary Expositions, the Musée des Plans-Reliefs, and to the Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération)
Metro: La Tour-Maubourg, Varenne
Website: http://www.invalides.org/

2. Dome Church of the Invalides

The Dome Church is a masterpiece of French classical architecture and its decoration was given to the finest artists of Louis XIV (Charles de la Fosse, Jouvenent, Girardon) who also worked at Versailles. After Louis XIV’s death plans to burry the royal family here were abandoned and it became a monument to Bourbon glory.
A popular tourist site today, The Dome Church is the burial site for Napoleon Bonaparte and for other several military officers who served under him.
Opening hours: From 10am - 6pm (from April 1st to September 30th)
From 10am – 5pm (from October 1st to March 30th)
Price: € 8,5 (This ticket gives access to the Musée de l'Armée, Napoleon's Tomb, the Contemporary Expositions, the Musée des Plans-Reliefs, and to the Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération)

3. Musée Rodin (77 Rue de Varene)

Musée Rodin was opened in 1919 in the Hôtel Biron and surrounding grounds. In return of a state-owned flat and studio, Auguste Rodin left his work to the state nation. Some of his most celebrated sculptures are on display in the garden (The Thinker, The Gates of Hell) and the rest n the indoor exhibition (The Kiss, Eve).

Opening hours: 9.30 a.m. to 5.45 p.m. (April to September)
9.30 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. (October to March)
The museum is closed on Mondays.
Price: 10.00 € (museum+exhibition+garden)
Metro: Varenne
Website: http://www.musee-rodin.fr


4. Pont Alexandre III

This bridge was built between 1896 and 1900, in time for the Universal Exhibition and it was named after Tsar Alexander III who laid the foundations stone in October 1896. It is decorated with lampposts and sculptures of cherubs and nymphs and on each end of the bridge there are large gilded statues. The style of this bridge reflects that of the Grand Palais, to which it leads.


5. Grand Palais

6. Petit Palais

This entry was posted on 18 June, 2009 at Thursday, June 18, 2009 and is filed under , . You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed .

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