École Militaire

The École Militaire is a military school founded in Paris in 1751, the. Initiative of Madame de Pompadour and with the support of King Louis XV was built on the left bank of the Seine in the plain of Grenelle, near the Hôtel des Invalides. The plans drew the architect of the king, Ange-Jacques Gabriel, his successor, Alexandre -Théodore Brongniart was.

History

They began significantly with the chapel, the main building followed until 1768-1772. This installation marks the culmination of the so-called "Grand Style" by Gabriel. The other major document of this style is the Place de la Concorde on the other Seine- side. Gabriel came from a family of builders, who were related to the Mansart. When his father's death in 1742, Gabriel was the first architect to the king - just at a time when Louis XV. a lively interest again for building. In addition, it was the benevolence of the Marquise de Pompadour, the mistress of the king benefit. For them he had just the MENARS castle extended - much to her delight. She had in the first place the idea for such a pro-poor policies. There was previously namely something similar for the female side, the ladies of Saint -Cyr.

As grounds for the relatively extensive new Royal Military Academy, the square was chosen in addition to the disability system on the road to Versailles, where at the time there was free field that you absolutely need to drill. Later, the Revolution has the Champ de Mars built - their only architectural achievement for Paris and even then only an empty field - and later the Eiffel Tower was at the upper end of the Campus Martius built. The space between the Military Academy and the Eiffel Tower is still undeveloped and an extremely popular gathering place of all possible populations in the evening and night hours, from which one can see the illuminated Eiffel Tower unhindered.

In this military academy, especially the central pavilion with its four Corinthian columns on each side is striking that mimic together with the powerful triangular pediment of an ancient temple facade. Overall, already indicated here but a certain rigor to, an increasing abandonment of decorations. So has this style to Louis XVI. ahead under which this architectural rigor will become the State style. The construction work progressed slowly because it constantly gave financial constraints. Madame Pompadour sacrificed in 1755 even their income and they constantly lay the king in the ears, but insufficient approved additional funds. Gabriel reduced its planning, and even moved the main entrance.

The school, originally intended for the education of sons of impoverished noble families to consummate officers, later also took up Civil pupils and in 1784 their most famous pupil, the young Napoleon Bonaparte. 1787 closed, it served as the depot and a barracks until 1878 was returned to its original purpose. Today it houses a variety of facilities that serve the higher military education.

Use of parts of the building

Left third: In the left outbuilding École supérieure de guerre the aérienne was housed for the General Staff of the French Air Force. In the middle of the courtyard behind the trees is the chapel. Today it is a part of the canteen and is denoted by Rotonde. On the upper edge of the building for the horses.

Middle third: The whole of the left main wing is the Church of St. Louis de l' École militaire. At the Sunday services outsiders can participate. In the right part of the main building, the official residence of the Inspector General ( above) and the library ( below) are housed. The right part of the yard is the riding school.

Right third: In the 19th century, the École supérieure de guerre navale for the naval staff training of the French Navy was born. She lay in the right outbuilding. Even today, the Institute des hautes études de défense national ( IHEDN ) is housed there. In the central transept of the Cours supérieur interarmée is.

The three schools were start of the 21st century ( as always at the Staff College ) merged.