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www.MooreTravelTips.com |
Photo of
the Napoleon's Tomb in the Hôtel des Invalides, Paris, France |
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Hôtel des Invalides & Napoleon's Tomb The Emperor Napoléon died from poisoning in exile on the island of St Helena 5th May 1821. He was buried on the island until 1840 when King Louis-Philippe decided to transfer the body back to Paris. The body of the Emperor Napoléon I was finally laid to rest in his new tomb in the gold domed church of Hôtel des Invalides in 1861. The Dome Church also houses two of Napoléon's brothers, Jérôme and Joseph Bonaparte, Napoléon's son, as well as Marshals Ferdinand Foch Allied Supreme Commander World War I and Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban’s heart. Vauban is one of my heros. He changed the landscape of Europe. He used science to bring a revolution in the design of military fortifications. Because of his work in the mid 1600’s tall castles were no longer constructed. Low walled star shaped forts that gave better protection from artillery sprung up all over Europe. |
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The Hôtel des Invalides also houses the Musée de l'Armée, the military museum of the Army of France, the Musée des Plans-Reliefs, and the Musée d'Histoire Contemporaine. Even if you are not interested in military history you must visit the Napoléonic section of the Musée de l'Armée even if it is just to see the attractive gaudy uniforms of Napoléon's Army. You can also see his uniform including that famous black hat. It brings history alive.
In 1670 King Lois XIV ordered that a hospital and church be built in Paris to help aged and unwell soldiers. It became the magnificent Hôtel des Invalides. Not to be out done in 1682 King Charles II of England ordered the Royal Hospital In Chelsea to be built and in 1694 King William of England ordered the military hospital in Greenwich to be constructed.
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craig.moore@blueyonder.co.uk
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