In the 17th century, the Grenelle plain was nothing but a swamp, invaded by mosquitoes, on the banks of the Seine. Touched by the condition of the disabled soldiers who wandered and lived on begging, Louis XIV decided, in 1670, to build a place there to welcome, feed, and house the crippled, old and decrepit who served France and named it Hôtel des Invalides. Each patient had a bed, ate properly, and was cared for in the hospice and the infirmary held by the Daughters of Charity. In return, those who could worked or were reintegrated. This social and medical enterprise continued with the two world wars. Today, 80 invalids stay there as well as victims of attacks.