Dome Des Invalides, Paris, France : Napoleon’s Tomb

Dome Des Invalides, under which Napoleon’s tomb lies.

Napoleon’s tomb.

Commissioned by the Sun King, Louis XIV of France, a gold domed church was built at Les Invalides and completed in 1708. It was designed with St. Peter’s Basilica in mind and is an example of French Baroque architecture. The Dome Church was used by Napoleon as a military pantheon (public building commemorating the heroes of a nation). Below this glorious dome lies the tomb of Napoleon. Although Napoleon died on the island of Helena in 1821, his body was exhumed and he was returned to Paris in 1840. 12 large figures encircle the tomb that represent his great victories in battle.  See more about Napoleon at the Arc de Triomphe.