Saudi Arabia Establishes Cultural Center in Paris

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman is set to visit Paris, where he will inaugurate a new Saudi cultural center. The visit includes a high-profile meeting with French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu at the historic Les Invalides complex, a significant landmark in Paris known for its military history and as the final resting place of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The French Prime Minister's office confirmed the meeting, which will take place in the Cour d’Honneur, or Court of Honor, within Les Invalides. This complex, dating back to 1670, was originally constructed under King Louis XIV to house sick, wounded, and elderly soldiers. Over the centuries, it has evolved to include a hospital, care home, barracks, and workshops, embodying over three-and-a-half centuries of French history.

Les Invalides, officially known as the Hôtel National des Invalides, features a monumental facade and numerous courtyards. The Cour d’Honneur, the largest of these, measures 102 by 64 meters and is surrounded by arcaded galleries. It is a venue for military and national ceremonies and displays a collection of 60 bronze cannons. The complex also holds significant historical importance, having played a role in events like the French Revolution when revolutionaries seized weapons from its armory.