In the 17C, the Bourbons owned a small property on this site formerly known as the "Vallée de la Grâce". Anne of Austria (1601-66) loved the spot and vowed to build a church here should she have a son. Her prayers were answered in 1638 with the birth of Louis XIV. Seven years later, François Mansart began work on the church, followed by Lemercier. In 1793, the convent became a military hospital and still is today. The church, former cloisters and Museum of the Army Health Service are open to the public.