Exterior view
by LE VAU, Louis, Photo
From 1662 Le Vau (assisted by Fran�ois d’Orbay) was involved in the design of the Coll�ge des Quatre Nations, Paris (1661-74), now the Institut de France. By employing a pedimented fa�ade (with a tall cupola behind) flanked by two quadrants ending in pavilions facing the River Seine (thus giving the structure a concave fa�ade bordered by the wings), he showed a strong affinity with Italian Baroque art, and with the work of both Bernini and Francesco Borromini.
View the ground plan of the church of Coll�ge des Quatres-Nations, Paris.