Invalides

The Hôtel des Invalides is an impressive place to walk around, let alone enter. Here are a few exterior shots of the Eglise du Dôme. It's only a small part of the entire complex, but the most recognizable.


Under the dome, which was re-guilded for the 1989 bicentennial of the French Revolution, is the tomb of Napoléon Bonaparte.

Normally, in good weather, the steps of the Eglise du Dôme are crowded with people entering to see the crypt and tomb. Here though (above), a few folks relax in relative calm.

These huge granite things looked like chess pieces to me. I'm not really sure what they are. Could they be decorative elements from the top of a roof or dome that have been restored and put here on display ? Or maybe they're just supposed to be there, just as they are ?

p.s. I posted smaller versions of these photos about a year ago as part of the walking tour series. Sorry for the repetition.