Val-de-Grâce Paris: church and museum, opening hours, access

Updated on October 2, 2026

Val-de-Grâce (Paris 5th), a Baroque church and the Military Health Service museum, is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 6pm; admission €5. The site is closed in August and the reduced rate is €2.50. This former royal abbey was built in the 17th century at the request of Queen Anne of Austria, in thanks for the birth of Louis XIV; its Baroque church is crowned by a dome whose cupola was painted by Pierre Mignard. The convent became a military hospital during the French Revolution; the modern hospital built next to it closed in 2016. The former abbey still houses the museum, the Val-de-Grâce school and the central library of the military health service.

Highlights

The Church of Notre-Dame du Val-de-Grâce

Anne of Austria wished to build this church as an act of thanksgiving after giving birth to a son, Louis XIV. An inscription on the porch pediment reads: "To Jesus newborn and to his mother the Virgin." Baroque in inspiration, the church's floor plan takes the shape of a Latin cross. From the forecourt, you can also see a dome. Inside, you'll find numerous sculptures, paintings by Philippe de Champaigne, and a cupola decorated with a fresco by Mignard. Concerts and organ recitals are regularly held there and are well worth attending!

The Museum of the Military Health Service

Housed in the cloister of the former Benedictine abbey, the museum opened in 1916, during the First World War; its collections go back to the military medical school opened at Val-de-Grâce in 1850. It presents the history of the service, its role in various wars, its uniforms and medical equipment, as well as the nuns' former chapter house.

The dome, Mignard's cupola and the baldachin

The young Louis XIV laid the church's first stone in 1645; the plans are by François Mansart, and the work was then continued by Jacques Lemercier. Beneath the dome, Pierre Mignard's fresco, completed in 1663, depicts the Glory of the Blessed with more than 200 figures. Above the high altar, the baldachin with six twisted black marble columns was inspired by Bernini's in St Peter's in Rome.

Opening hours and practical info

Church and museum: Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm; closed Mondays, Tuesdays and throughout August. Admission €5, reduced rate €2.50; the museum ticket also gives access to the church. The entrance is at 1 place Alphonse-Laveran: ring the intercom and leave a photo ID at the front desk. Allow about 1.5 hours for the church, cloister and museum. The former military hospital closed in 2016, so there is no medical care on site anymore.

Practical info

Tips

While in the heart of the Latin Quarter, take the opportunity to stroll through the Jardin du Luxembourg, about ten minutes' walk away, or to explore the market on Rue Mouffetard, one of the oldest streets in the capital. Our Latin Quarter guide suggests more places to visit in the area.

How to get there

The easiest option is the RER B to "Port-Royal" station, a 5-minute walk away. The entrance is at 1 place Alphonse-Laveran, 75005 Paris. By metro, the nearest station is "Censier-Daubenton" (line 7), about ten minutes' walk away. Buses 21, 27, 38, 83 and 91 stop nearby.