École Militaire

The École Militaire is a historic military complex in Paris, founded in 1751 at the initiative of Madame de Pompadour and King Louis XV. It stands on the Left Bank of the Seine in the plain of Grenelle, not far from Les Invalides. The architectural design was the work of the royal architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel, whose plans represent the high point of the so-called Grand Style. The ensemble of buildings is distinguished by a severe aesthetic that already anticipates the later Louis XVI style. Especially striking is the central pavilion, whose Corinthian columns and massive triangular pediment imitate the façade of an ancient temple.

The school was originally established to train the sons of impoverished noble families as officers. Later, students of bourgeois background were admitted as well, among them the young Napoleon Bonaparte in 1784. After the school closed in 1787, the grounds served at times as barracks and a depot before regaining a military function in 1878 as a center for advanced training. Today the complex houses various institutes for strategic research and general staff training for the French armed forces.

Visitors can admire the imposing architecture and attend Sunday services at the church of St. Louis de l'École militaire. The expansive grounds also offer an unobstructed view of the illuminated Eiffel Tower, which stands at the far end of the adjoining Champ de Mars. This open expanse between the military academy and the landmark is a popular gathering place for Parisians.