Les Invalides: the Esplanade hosts events for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Officially known as theHôtel national des Invalides, the site is an architectural and historical complex located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, sublimated by a large esplanade. Built during the reign of Louis XIV, it was originally intended to house war invalids - soldiers wounded or too old to serve. Today, Les Invalides is famous for its majestic architecture, its museums and, above all, for housing the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Construction of theHôtel des Invalides and its esplanade took six years, from 1670 to 1676. The project's main architect was Liberal Bruant, but it was Jules Hardouin-Mansart who completed the church of Saint-Louis-des-Invalides, famous for its magnificent golden dome, which can be seen from Paris rooftops.

Les Invalides is home to several museums and institutions, including the Musée de l'Armée, one of the world's largest military museums, with collections ranging from antiquity to the present day. There's also the Musée des Plans-Reliefs and the Musée d'Histoire Contemporaine. The Cathédrale Saint-Louis-des-Invalides behind the esplanade is still used for military religious ceremonies.

The Esplanade des Invalides, located in front of the Hôtel des Invalides, is a vast green space stretching from the Seine to the main entrance to the complex. Created in the 17th century, it was designed to offer a majestic view of the monument. It is often used for public events, demonstrations and national celebrations, such as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Here is the program of festivities during the Olympic and Paralympic Games at Les Invalides:

• Road cycling: July 27 to August 4

Paris 2024: the route of the Olympic road cycling events in Paris and the Île-de-France region
After the route of the Olympic flame in the Île-de-France region, the route of the road cycling events has been unveiled, for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Trocadéro, Vallée de Chevreuse, Butte Montmartre, Bois de Vincennes, discover the route! [Read more]

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• Athletics marathon: August 10 and 11

Paris 2024 Olympics: history, events, Olympic venue... athletics and para-athletics at the Games
Athletics and marathon running, king disciplines at the Olympic Games... And the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games are no exception to the rule! Combining throws, jumps, runs... athletics is also the discipline of all records, with great champions who have the history of their performance. Find out everything there is to know about these disciplines for the Games! [Read more]