MANSART, François
(b. 1598, Paris, d. 1666, Paris)

Exterior view

begun 1645
Photo
Val-de-Grâce, Paris

This dome structure was built to give thanks for the birth of an heir to the throne. It was begun by Mansart and continued by Jacques Lemercier, but completed only in 1710 by Pierre Le Muet and Gabriel Le Duc. Here Roman architecture provided the basic inspiration, but Mansart was able to provide a renewed impetus towards the use of monumental forms.

The picture shows the façade of the church.