Paris: Les Invalides – Napoleon’s Tomb & Army Museum Entry

History

Les Invalides, officially known as the Hôtel National des Invalides, was founded in 1670 by King Louis XIV to provide accommodation and care for wounded and retired soldiers. It remains one of Paris’s most prestigious monuments, combining military history, architecture, and royal legacy. The complex includes museums, churches, courtyards, and the magnificent Dome Church, where Napoleon Bonaparte’s tomb was placed in 1861 under the gilded dome designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart.

Over the centuries, Les Invalides has become the heart of French military history, housing the Musée de l’Armée, which preserves more than 500,000 artifacts spanning from the Middle Ages to modern times. Visitors can admire royal armor, weaponry, uniforms, and relics from France’s most significant wars, including both World Wars. It remains not only a place of memory but also a celebration of French resilience and heritage.

Highlights

• Visit one of Paris’s most prestigious historical monuments
• Explore the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte beneath the gilded Dome Church
• Discover the Musée de l’Armée, one of the world’s largest military collections
• Admire swords, cannons, uniforms, and artifacts of French monarchs and generals
• Participate in interactive digital experiences that bring historic battles to life

Full Description

Step into the Hôtel National des Invalides and immerse yourself in centuries of French history. Originally built by Louis XIV as a hospital and residence for veterans, it is today home to the Musée de l’Armée, one of the largest military museums in the world.

Wander through galleries filled with over 500,000 objects, including armor worn by French kings, medieval swords, artillery pieces, and uniforms. Explore collections spanning the Middle Ages, Napoleonic Wars, World Wars, and beyond.

Visit the awe-inspiring Dome Church, crowned by a golden dome, and pay your respects at Napoleon’s monumental sarcophagus, placed here in 1861. Other notable figures, such as Napoleon II and Marshal Foch, are also buried here.

Enhance your visit with interactive exhibits that use multimedia to explain the strategies, battles, and key figures that shaped French and European history. With so much to see, Les Invalides offers a journey through time that appeals to history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and curious travelers alike.

What’s Included

• Entry to the permanent collections of the Musée de l’Armée
• Access to the Dome Church (Napoleon’s Tomb)
• Entry to the Museum of Plans-Reliefs
• Entry to the Museum of the Order of the Liberation
• Access to temporary exhibitions
• Family activities (available weekends at 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM, in French; tickets for children available on site)

Meeting Point

Skip the line at the cash desk and enter directly by showing your ticket at the entrance of Les Invalides. Keep your ticket with you, as you may be asked to present it at different parts of the complex.

Main Address: Hôtel des Invalides, 129 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris, France

Price

From $20 per person

Traveler Reviews

“Amazing experience, and I look forward to using this platform for all future bookings.”
“It was a great experience with so much to see and learn about. The artifacts they have on display are tremendous and the crypts are very interesting.”
“Absolutely fantastic! The interior architecture was incredible! So much history in one place. Highly recommended!”