École Militaire

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Building of the École Militaire
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Building of the École Militaire
Other side of the École Militaire Building
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Other side of the École Militaire Building

The École Militaire (French for military school) is a vast complex of buildings housing various military teaching facilities located in Paris, France southeast of the Champ-de-Mars.

It was founded by Louis XV in 1750 on the basis of a proposal of the financier Joseph Pâris (known as Duverney) with the support of Madame de Pompadour, with an aim of creating an academic college for cadet officers from poor families. It was designed by Angel-Jacques Gabriel and construction started in 1752 on the grounds of the farm of Grenelle, but the school did not open until 1760. The Comte de Saint-Germain reorganised it in 1777 under the name of the École des Cadets-gentilshommes (School of Young Gentlemen), which accepted the young Napoleon Bonaparte in 1784. He graduated from this school in only one year instead of the two years.

It now hosts:

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