The Invalides were created under Louis XIV to aid former soldiers who had been forced into either panhandling or subsisting on church charity. The institution of the Invalides was created in 1670 and quickly became home to a number of wounded soldiers. The plans were carried out by Libéral Bruant, and construction was finished in 1676.

The dome crowning the church is the work of Jules Hardouin-Mansart, and is a perfect symbol of the spendor Louis XIV wanted under his reign. The Church of St-Louis des Invalides, of which construction predates the dome, is Hardouin-Mansart's work as well, and many flags stolen from the enemy were hung here as decoration.