Saint-Louis-des-Invalides Cathedral - The church of the armies

The Cathedral Saint-Louis-des-Invalides is the work of the young architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart. In 1676, he was commissioned to build a church on the Parisian site of Les Invalides, dedicated to King Louis IX, canonized as Saint Louis (1214-1270).

The construction of the Cathedral Saint-Louis-des-Invalides

The Hotel des Invalides as a whole, the classical-style building, opened its doors to disabled war invalids as early as 1679. Jules Hardouin-Mansart completed this soldiers' church with the adjoining Royal Chapel or Dome, inaugurated by Louis XIV in August 1706 (See our article ....).

King and soldiers attend the same masses

The king and soldiers can attend the same masses, but they do not enter through the same gates. The monarch uses the rich entrance to the Dome (now Place Vauban), while the soldiers pass through the gate leading to the courtyard of honor ( Esplanade des Invalides side). This duality of the church was reinforced with the construction of Napoleon's tomb in the Dome starting in 1842, before becoming definitive following the installation, in 1873, of a glass roof between the two parts of the building.

The Dome of the Invalids

The church of the adjoining Dome, now known as the Military Pantheon and last home of Napoleon 1st, is desecrated while the Church of Saint-Louis is still consecrated.

The Cathedral Saint-Louis-des-Invalides for the Soldiers

When he founded the Hôtel des Invalides, Louis XIV wanted a vast chapel in his heart for the spiritual good of the residents, placed under the patronage of Saint Louis. Hence the Church of Saint Louis des Invalides, which was also the parish church of the district.

The vault of the Cathedral Saint-Louis-des-Invalides has been decorated since Napoleon with military trophies, flags that have belonged to the enemies of France throughout history.

For a long time the seat of the vicariate general to the armies, Pope Saint John Paul II erected the military chaplaincy in the Diocese of the Armies, headed by an Army Bishop. The church of Saint-Louis des Invalides officially became the Cathedral of the French Army Diocese in 1986. As a result, despite the separation of church and state, the cathedral displays the national emblem within its walls. The "choir" of the Saint-Louis Cathedral is the only one of all churches and cathedrals that is permanently decorated with French flags.

Cathedral Saint-Louis-des-Invalides, still active

In the Cathedral Saint-Louis-des-Invalides, masses and private funerals are always celebrated, as well as weddings and baptisms.

Today, many celebrations and cultural events are still held in the Cathedral Saint-Louis-des-Invalides. Throughout the year, the Armed Forces and their general staff come to celebrate their patron saint and the memory of their deceased and elders.

Every year, the church is also the setting for commemorative masses, including the anniversary mass of the death of Napoleon I on May 5 and, in September, the anniversary mass of the founding of the Hotel des Invalides.

Finally, the well-known "Concerts of the Invalides' musical season are organized in Cathedral Saint-Louis-des-Invalides.

Even today, the residents of the National Institution of the Invalids are the first faithful for whom the liturgy of the Cathedral Saint-Louis-des-Invalides is celebrated.

The great organs of the Cathedral Saint-Louis-des-Invalides

The great organs of the church were built between 1679 and 1687 and restored between 1955 and 1957. Their case was made by the famous "ordinary carpenter of the King" Germain Pilon, according to a drawing by Hardouin-Mansart.

Saint-Louis-des Invalides Cathedral, a solemn place

It is marked by its religious vocation but also by 300 years of history. Its proximity to the military Pantheon (Dome) and the Army Museums allows visitors to live an experience open to eternity.