Hôtel des Invalides

Historical landmark · Invalides

Hôtel des Invalides

Historical landmark · Invalides
75007 Paris, France

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Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null
Hôtel des Invalides by null

Highlights

Military museum complex housing Napoleon's tomb and church  

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75007 Paris, France Get directions

en.parisinfo.com

Information

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75007 Paris, France Get directions

+33 810 11 33 99
en.parisinfo.com

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Aug 7, 2025

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Michael Nae

Google
One of those places where you spend most of your time walking around with your jaw dropped. Massive interior, a towering dome, and tombs of France’s great minds. And if you get in for free? Well, that makes the view even sweeter… hehehe. :) The rooftop panorama is one of the best in Paris. Impressive from the outside — even more so inside. Surprisingly powerful experience.

Jim H

Google
Really cool area to check out. Between the tomb and the museum. Well worth the time. We originally came through and enjoyed the outside for free then came back another day to get a ticket to the indoor exhibits. Really amazing. You could spend a day here if you like museums.

Thiago Rezende

Google
A fantastic complex of churches and museums focusing on military history. Although famous for Napoleon's tomb, a visit to the museums is a must. The collection of weapons and military uniforms is impressive, and the history of the two world wars is told in an immersive way and with great detail.

Emir Haleva

Google
I love this museum Before you enter the museum you'd better visit the pantheon with tombs of several marshals and of Napoleon himself. The free online audioguide walks you through the place with plenty of information. At the museum itself, there's lots of uniforms and weaponry from a variety of periods as well as original paintings. I specifically liked the Napoleonic era section. The court yard is fantastic as well.

Julz V.

Google
Saw a mapping show there. It’s nice and all. I liked that they made people rotate and move around through chambers. No seating. One thing I’d improve is add more story to it. The screen only announces ACT 1, 2, 3. But you really don’t have any idea of what’s happening. I saw other shows with explanations- much more interesting.

Paul

Google
We went to the Aura show at night in the dome and it was a really awesome experience. The lights, music and history were really impressive and well done. If you go to the show, I think the best spot is at about 2 o'clock (as seen from the entry) around the center circle to get the most immersive views.

Ernesto Salce

Google
This is a great place if you want to learn history in depth. Best museum on World Wars I’ve ever seen: a lot of stuff and detail - although very few explanations are only in French. There’s a lot to see here: Napoleon's Tomb is a must one. That’s just worth the price.

R R (rr)

Google
Large museum, I would plan for 2 days if you want to see everything. Fascinating displays. Was able to get in without much wait once we found where tickets were sold.
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Thomas T.

Yelp
This is a cool museum to visit. It once was and still is a hospital for veterans. If you like Napoleonic history then this is a MUST SEE museum. I personally enjoyed it. I cannot emphasize enough how cool and vast this museum is. Super worth seeing. Started in the weapons gallery. So many swords, knives, shields, and other weapons from different eras like the French, Ottoman Turks, the Japanese and so forth. Then went to the big French/Napoleon exhibition. Wow. So much information, portraits, videos, and stuff to learn. You could spend the entire day here. So many rooms and hallways to see. Finally finished with Napoleon's tomb. Wow! What a casket for one man. Definitely their crown jewel. What Abraham Lincoln was to us, Napoleon is to the French. Definitely visit this museum!
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Elgin M.

Yelp
Such a great experience. My only regret is underestimating how much I would enjoy this place and not leaving myself more time. How many times do you get a chance to enter Napoleons tomb? To stand in front of swords held by actual knights? Weapons dating back to 1500 BC? Check Samurai armor dating back 400 years? YUP Suits of armor worn by kings? Check I don't know how necessary it is to revisit a lot of places in Paris once you've been there. But this will certainly be once that I do. If you're on the fence about going. Allow me to push you over........GO!!!!
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Andrea U.

Yelp
This is a military hospital, nursing home & chapel that are now the Military Museum. There was a lot to see and do here, we purchased timed tickets on line so we didn't have to get on the cue here. We spent half the day exploring.
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Chris S.

Yelp
An amazing piece of history with remarkable architecture. Napoleon the First's tomb is here. Well worth a visit!
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Craig O.

Yelp
Great museums that exhibits France's war efforts, with emphasis on WW1 and WW2 and the French Resistance in WW2. Also, houses Napoleon's tomb under a beautiful and opulent chapel and a wonderful tribute to Charles deGaulle. One of the best museums in Paris.
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Guy H.

Yelp
I don't know what I expected but, it's not what I got! While walking in this part of Paris to see other attractions, I kept noticing an interesting building in the distance. After some time weaving through the area I found myself one street over so, decided to look it up on my phone. One of the reasons I could see it from almost anywhere in this part of Paris is the 351-foot high dome gilded in 28 lbs of gold! Originally built in the 1600s as a hospital for soldiers, it now contains the tomb of Napolean! What a find. Just another beautiful building I was prepared to appreciate from the exterior as I walked by, ended up being an unbelievable must-see. All the cliche you hear about Napolean comes into clear focus when you see his over the top final resting place. I mean this is almost absurd. I am sure military buffs would get more out of this building than most, as it houses the military history of the highest order. It was used as an "old soldiers" hospital well into the twentieth century. A chapel was built there and the soldiers required to attend. However, it was expanded and became a recognized cathedral. Designed in a Baroque style modeled after St Peters Basilica, it's an impressive church and one of the best reasons to see the building including Napoleon's tomb. Several of Napoleans's family members, French military officers that served under Napolean and other French war heroes are also interned here in various magnanimous and impressive coves of the building. The tomb itself is the size of a small school bus and made of red quartzite sitting on a green granite base! I spent a lot of time gawking at this alone. Definitely worth a visit or a study from your quarantine lair!
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Michael S.

Yelp
Hôtel des Invalides is a beautifully restored classical French architectural landmark and home to the tomb of Napoléon, tallest church in Paris, and Musée de l'Armée. It is not a hotel. It is also no longer a place for "Invalides." Ok, so, what are invalides? Well, they're military veterans no longer "valid" to serve. None other than the Sun King Louis XIV ordered the construction of this immense hospital in 1670 to receive and assist wounded warriors who were declared "invalid" to continue service in the army. It's officially known as "Hôtel National des Invalides" which Wikipedia translates to "The National Residence of the Invalids." Many just refer to it as "Les Invalides." I'll refer to it as another must-visit tourist destination in a city overflowing in monuments. The Dôme des Invalides is gilded in nearly 28 pounds of gold leaf and, at a height of 351 feet (107 meters), it stands as an eye-catching landmark visible from many parts of Paris. Under the dome, is the tomb of Napoleon. That's right this is the final resting place of the the one and only Napoléon Bonaparte ... aka Napoléon 1st ... aka The Little Corporal ... aka Nightmare of Europe ... aka The Heir of the Republic ... aka Le Général Entrepreneur ... aka The Emperor of the French, King of Italy, Protector of the Confederation of the Rhine, and Mediator of the Helvetic Confederation. Seriously, only Daenerys has more titles than this guy. Anyways, he's dead and you can look at the ornate box in an ornate room under an ornate dome that holds his remains. Also at Les Invalides is the the Cathedral Saint-Louis des Invalides and the Musée de l'Armée as well as a huge military parade ground ... from which we were shooed away from because President Macron was arriving soon for a ceremony. Other museums include Historial Charles de Gaulle, Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération, and Musée des plans-reliefs. * Admission: €12 for Adults * Under 18 is free * Closed: Jan 1, May 1, and Dec 25 * Museums are open 10:00am-5:00pm (later in summer) * The grounds are open 7:30am-7:00pm * On summer Tuesdays, Les Invalides is open to 9:00pm * 2 entrances: Place Vauban and the Esplanade * A-40 minute iPad Dôme guide is €5 * Check out the concerts & events schedule * Le carré des Invalides restaurant opens at 9:00am * The gift shop opens at 10:00am * Coat check is at the Place Vauban entrance Les Invalides (aka Hôtel des Invalides) is a huge complex featuring classic French architecture designed by Liberal Bruand and Jules Hardouin-Mansart. The architectural achievements alone make this a site awe-inspiring while the dome, tombs, and museums make it a must-visit tourist destination in the heart of Paris.
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Edmund L.

Yelp
This was one of my favorite museums in Paris! Being a big fan of military history, this was one of the places I looked forward to the most. It had everything a military history buff could want..Napoleon's Tomb, life sized models of soldiers, and diagrams of military battles. I could spend hours in that museum watching those digital reenactments of different battles like Austerlitz or Waterloo. A must visit for military history fans!

Sharon S.

Yelp
After visiting the military museum on the 11th this month in November, I came to the gift shop. It was close to 5pm and I worried about not being able to see the emperor's tomb. So I asked a worker who happened to be at the entrance about the open time that day. The gentleman was skinny and comparably short. He seemed to be in his mid 40 to late 40's and have less hair in the middle of the head. He looked up and frowned, shook his head then continued minding his business while saying something I didn't understand, which I assumed it was French. I was confused because apparently he was annoy that somebody would DARE to ask him any questions. Not being able to get an answer, I had to ask him again. He used a tongue - so arrogant that make me feel like he took himself as a king, finally said 2 words in English while pointing at me "check there!" I looked at the direction of his finger and found out it was the brochure, which was in French. Please remember, at this moment he barely even lift his precious head. I knew he intended to offend and anger me. But I controlled myself and said "well you seem to be very polite." He said "OF COURSE!" Then use his left hand to drive me away. This tremendous rudeness almost shocked me - it has never happened while I was traveling in any other countries or regions. The fact that his rudeness was performed so naturally that it made think it actually happened a lot on this guy. I finally came back to the gift shop later. Unfortunately, the same guy was working as a cashier. The stripe reader on the other cashier's didn't work so I had to queue in line for him. I knew for sure he would humiliate me again, even though I still couldn't know why. So a female worker kindly helped me with checking out. During checkout, I tried to talk or at least to interact with him to figure out if he just had a bad day, but he just pretended like he couldn't hear me at all. The people standing in line heard it and all felt he was rude, he could still manage to ignore my existence. Anyway, as an English speaker from the US, I felt being shamed and humiliated on purpose on my first day in France. It was funny to realize that the world is more like a unit than before but there are still people who would act in this racist way - at least in my opinion, he seemed to be very upset about the presence of an English speaker that he had to hold grudge against me or whoever dared to interact with him in English. Les Invalides is an amazing historic site. There are people visiting from all over the world every day. A man like him is just ruining it.
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Nicole P.

Yelp
An excellent museum and monument - in fact, it's actually multiple museums in one, so much to take in that if you're a history buff you could easily spend an entire day here and not see it all. What's also nice is that it is relatively quiet and free from massive tour bus crowds, so after dealing with massive swarms of humanity at the Louvre and Musee d'Orsay it made for a refreshing break in the action. Napoleon's Tomb is not to be missed, of course. Even if you're not into visiting tombs and graves, the sheer massive size of it and over-the-top grandeur is a sight to behold. But then there is the excellent museum of the two World Wars, full of historical artifacts, uniforms, propaganda posters, and videos that bring history to life (from a very French point of view, of course). There's a massive collection of arms and armor, by which point I was a bit too exhausted to spend much time in, The Cathedral of Saint-Louis, and just the history of the buildings themselves. Definitely worth spending at least a few hours in if you have any interest in history.
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Tom H.

Yelp
Our tour bus drove by this building where Napoleon's tomb is displayed. Unfortunately we didn't have time to go inside, but I did get these great exterior pictures. The Hôtel des Invalides was commissioned in 1670 by Louis XIV in order to provide accommodation and hospital care for wounded soldiers. The chapel of the Invalides was built at the end of the 17th century by Jules-Hardouin Mansart and contains Napoleon's tomb. Next visit in Paris I will make this historic building my number one priority to see!
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Adrienne K.

Yelp
My 7-year old son and I jammed a lot into our 14-day adventure of Paris but unfortunately we did not have time for Les Invaldies. Just gives me 1 more excuse to get back to Paris. Since this trip a year ago now, I have adopted Paris as my second home and maybe someday my final home. I am giving it a 3 review since we did not visit the campus or Tomb of Napoleon.
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Sarah S.

Yelp
My friends and I went here but it was quite confusing finding this spot, I must say. Our main goal was Tombeau de Napoleon and we couldn't find clear signs and then realized it's inside this Institution Nationale des Invalides. The monument houses the tomb of Napoleon...plus tons of his relatives and other military officials. This was super confusing to my friends and I trying to find THE Napoleon's tomb. If you're confused like we were, just know that tiny Napoleon Bonaparte takes center stage right in the middle of the monument with all attention on his huge tomb. His sarcophagus lies right in the center of the monument. Kind of freaky to think his body is inside of the casket. Apparently there are also some hearts of notable military men in the vaults, as well. It's all quite eerie. We went down below into where the actual vaults are there was a really creepy hallway roped off. Eek! This isn't a top priority for people while in Paris to visit but I'm so glad we checked it out.
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Jim W.

Yelp
We visited this museum after lunch, having spent the morning in another museum in town. We had been here before quite a while ago, but did not have much time then and so did not really get to see much then. So I was looking forward to our visit. Note that you have to hike about 1/4 mile from the Invalides Metro station to the main gate. The collection of arms and armor is quite extensive. So extensive that you sort of get lost in room after room of suits of armor. If you have toured the Tower of London and thought that they had many suits of armor on display, brace yourself. If I went back, I'd definitely investigate whether they have an audio tour in hopes of getting more context. IMO, this would benefit more from a timeline approach. Match a room to, say, a 50-year period of history. Discuss the important events and battles in that time period, and link how the displays relate to that. It was interesting without that, but I think it could be fascinating with more context. All the text with the display is in French (understandably), so an audio tour might assist with that also. We also toured the WWI and WWII exhibits, which were more accessible (if you know much about that conflict already). This exhibit does seem to follow a more timeline approach, which I liked. Plus, it had more of the perspective of France (as opposed to Great Britain or the U.S., which I usually get). We also toured the dome and Napoleon's tomb, which is fascinating by itself. Our final stop was the chapel, which contains captured standards from many conflicts over the last couple of centuries (those had previously been displayed elsewhere). This was a nice (and reflective) way to end the tour. This is well worth a stop during a multi-day stay in Paris.
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Ken G.

Yelp
Wow - an awesome piece of architecture showcasing the splendor of Paris art and detail. This monument houses Napoleon's tomb and it really is a site to see how much work and money went into something so that people don't forget this famous leader. This is a must see in Paris!
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Rhonda W.

Yelp
Our guide told us this fancy building was built for Soldiers . so many were left homeless and wounded .. having to place to go and it looked bad on the King .. so he had this built to care for the Veterans. we went past this as a part of our Globus tour .. on a our bus ... and stopped to take a few pics. In fact this is were we had our one and only group photo.
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Tina C.

Yelp
Les Invalides is accessible via the Métro. This museum is most famous for residing Napoleon the First's tomb. He sits in the middle of the beautifully decorated former hospital, in a large stone coffin. His tomb is crafted in red porphyry from Russia, placed on a green granite base outlined in a circle of laurels and inscriptions, very elaborate indeed. Other dearly departed renown residents are: Victor Hugo, Madame Curie, Pierre Curie which are not as eleborate or immense a scale as Napoleon's tomb. France's history is alive!
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Patty R.

Yelp
Any history buff would be thrilled to visit this location. There is such a sense of grandeur and history - so much to see. The admission of 12 Euros was very reasonable in our opinion, as we spent a good part of the day there. The museum, the cathedral, and Napoleon's Tomb all offer very much to see. We strolled, stopped for a quick coffee and snack at the café located on site. The exterior grounds and gardens were also just lovely.
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Rachel L.

Yelp
Extensive museum with so much to take from. This place is very underappreciated as it was free from the crowds. I enjoyed strolling around not bumping into anyone. The €12 admission comes with the admission to Napoleon's tomb. It seemed like some of those people who paid to get into the tomb were not aware of that.
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David S.

Yelp
This place used to be a hospital, particularly for the war wounded, and dates back to before the French Revolution. It still partly has that function, and there is a church in the centre of the compound where you will find the wounded participating in services on a Sunday. However the main reason to come here is for the various musuems, all related to the military. There is one that traces the French military from the time of Louis 16th to the modern era, and you will also find Napoleon's Tomb out the back. In fact, you could spend the whole day here is you want to check out all of the museums. We ended up only going to visit the two and the two musuems involving military history. However, it is pretty impressive, and certainly worth checking out (though you do have to pay to go inside).
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Tiffany N.

Yelp
At first, my cousin only took me here to look at the outside architecture and the courtyard. However, when I discovered that Napoleon's tomb was here I had to go inside. This was the only attraction we got the ticket for. It was actually breathtaking inside and the tomb is huge - like at least another 1000 Napoleons could fit inside. There were other tombs and statues and structures dedicated to other members of his family. A definite tourist trap although not as busy and the outside architecture is also really beautiful and makes for good pictures.
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Joanna T.

Yelp
A worthwhile stop if you have the Paris Pass - the admission fee is worth it for folks who are really into history, specifically military history. Most people know Les Invalides as the final resting place of Napoleon but it's actually a huge complex that explores the history of the French military. That makes sense, because the complex was built by Louis XIV as a retirement home for veterans. Note the various musketeer sculptures near the top of the façade. The military museum is full of artillery, armor and artifacts - skippable if you're not really into that (we weren't). The cathedral, on the other hand is absolutely worth some time. It's absolutely beautiful and is hung with various battle flags. Once you've explored that, the next stop is Napoleon's tomb which is quite impressive - even in death, he's the star of the show. His son, brothers and other related dignitaries are also entombed here. Definitely worth a stop for those with a penchant for French military history and also worthwhile if you've got the Paris Pass and happen to be nearby.
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Kathy C.

Yelp
We decided to do a quick visit to Les Invalides because it is part of our Museum Pass, and I am glad we did. The main 'attraction' is Napoleon's tomb of course, but there are so much more to see. Depending on what your interests are, you may be here for the entire day or as little as 30 minutes. We went to Napoleon's tomb first, and it was beautiful. The entire browsing time of the tomb was about 30-45 min for us (taking lots of pictures). However, afterwards, we decided to stay to check out WWI and WWII exhibits/armory. It was very interesting. The amount of information is overwhelming. The only downside is, they've laid out the floor plan in such a way that you have to visit every floor / every section instead of making it more flexible. Therefore, we didn't get to see anything else after the WWI / WWI exhibits because of time constraint and simply couldn't walk anymore. I'd still recommend a visit if time permits.
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Kathy H.

Yelp
THE WAR MUSEUM. If you're friends with me, you'd know I have a crazy obsession with stories and movies about War World II. Hôtel des Invalides was definitely on top of my "I must see this when in Paris or I will cry" list. This is gigantic and it focuses only on France's participation in all wars ever in her life. From invasions to claiming lands to governments. It's halls and halls of armoury, and then the entire second floor dedicated to WWI and WW2. The early technology that human beings built!! With hands!!! And you know what's really cool??? So as wars go, France will acquire weapons from her enemies and they host them here in this museum! And they take care of them just like they take care of every single corner of this beautiful museum. You get to see side-by-side a Vietnamese gun, a Japanese sword, armour of the Asian soldiers. You see how different each country crafts their weapons, they're all right beside each other. What is beautiful to Europeans is not beautiful to Asians. And honestly it hurts to see ivory. The work needed to maintain everything is worth the cheap ticket price. I highly recommend and would come again. The only annoying thing is the weird organization of paid/free areas. So the ground floor is confusing because the rooms are tickets-only but the outside is free. The museum hires staff outside of each room to check tickets, and there's a door you enter that's not the door you exit. You cannot roam where you want. IF YOU READ FRENCH!???? Ok seriously if you're learning French or if you're a foreign student and wants to explore French culture, consider coming to museums and STUDY HERE. It's history in French! WWI and WWII are presented by date of events (how it started, military tactics, victories loses) in French. It's a book you can walk into. Education is here! Not school textbooks!
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Evan R.

Yelp
This massive complex is a combination of war museum and church, and Napoleon is buried in the latter. As a museum, it's not as robust as some of the others, but it was very interesting to see the different armaments throughout France's history. It's also just a very cool building. The Dome Church was much more interesting to me. The architecture isn't that of Notre Dame or one of the other old cathedrals, but the massive amount of space devoted to Napoleon is impressive. He is buried in a huge sculpture in the base of the building here. There are also several other tombs - his brother and son, and some more recent war heroes. What's also cool is that part of the building still serves to help and rehabilitate French veterans, and there is an off-limits hospital area where you could see people working with the elderly.
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Josh C.

Yelp
I am a huge history nerd and this place, dedicated to the military history of France from the 18th Century all the way to World War II was incredible. This place was originally founded as a military hospital for the French. It is enormous, housing collections of guns, instruments, and clothing from all different eras of France's military history. You could probably spend almost an entire day here if you really went through all of the exhibits slowly, one by one. Some of the highlights are the wing they have dedicated to the history and conquests of Napoleon Bonaparte, as well as the section dedicated to World War II. As an American, I had never known much history of World War II from the French perspective, so it was interesting to see what led up to the invasion of Normandy on D-Day. Be sure to visit Napoleon's Tomb to complete your visit on the far side of the museum. It's huge and over the top, just like the man with the complex named after him.
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Bruce S.

Yelp
This is the home of Napoleon's tomb and it's a pretty impressive building. It's been in use since 1678. Not that old by European standards, but still old enough. When spending a vacation touring France and Spain much of the old architecture tends to start to look alike to me. This one stands out though. If you are visiting Paris you should go by here and walk through it. It's worth the time and I'm glad we did it.
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David W.

Yelp
This is probably one of the largest military museums I have ever seen. Think of it as the Louve museum of the French military. The museum houses the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte, and has hundreds and hundreds of French military artifacts spread throughout many buildings. When I visited, I was fortunate enough to encounter a group setting up for what I think was a retirement ceremony. It was fun to watch them set up and try to guess what it was for based on what they were doing, but unfortunately, I didn't stay for the whole performance. The Hotel des Invalides (or army museum) is a must see for military and history buffs.
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Marissa S.

Yelp
Visited this place last year during my first trip to Paris. It's an impressive and ornate building that stand out in an already historically detailed city, which says a lot. From the beauty of the dome to the simplicity yet largeness of Napoleon's tomb, this place gives you a sense of how important this individual is to the Parisian culture. I recommend going in and experiencing it for yourself.
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Ed L.

Yelp
I didn't know Napoleon's tomb was here at the Les Invalides, until I got here. From the moment I had arrived in front of the Invaldies via the L'Open tour sightseeing bus, it was a wonderment to be here. Maybe I should have google some info before coming, but that's all in the past. To be an informed tourist is pretty awesome, but I had failed this time. The Les Invalides is basically the museum that showcases the history of war and military involvement of France through the Middle Ages through almost present-day, including World War I and II. Had I have known that Napoleon I was here, I would have saved up some battery in my iPhone for some photos, but sadly I did not. Still, I came here to the Invalides to check things out. The building itself is very huge and contained a lot of history and culture. I did not have the Paris pass, which included admission to a lot of the museums in Paris, so I just paid the 7.5 euros for admission. The price of admission was not bad, but affordable in many aspects, since I felt like "Might as well, while I am here" type of mentality, so you would spend money anyway just to enjoy yourself and have something worthwhile to experience. The history here comes alive and you can recant all those world history lessons from high school and even college, when you come through museums - especially when you deal with French military history. It was humbling to see Napoleon's casket on full display. It gave me a calming solace to "see" a great military leader. Les Invalides can be reached by any sightseeing bus tour company in Paris. Les Invaildes is located in the thick of central Paris, especially near all the tourist stuff in the 7th arrondissement. Although if you brave the Paris metro, you take route #8 to the Les Invalides, or #13, or even #8 #13, and RER "C" combination! Whether you drive, take the metro, or even play a tourist for a day or two, the Les Invalides is one place to spend half a day with nothing but your thoughts. To be able to immerse yourself in some French military history is to expand your mind, while you are in Paris. That can be said for visiting the Lourve as well, but something about French military history and Napoleon that makes it more enduring and interesting for me. Les Invalides is also a working active hospital, serving veterans in the French military. Not just a museum, but a complex with many parts to it. For me, this place is a definite stop on the Paris must do tour. While the military stuff may bore you, I found it to be quite interesting, since I learned this stuff back in high school and gotten reinforced in college. The entire complex is amazing and the architecture brings back the classical way of building design and it brings out the best in all of Paris. It blends the old with the contemporary to give the Invalides what it stands for. Proud and invincible, just like how Napoleon wanted to be. However, Les Invalides proves to be as strong and capable as Napoleon, but in his days as Emperor of France, he just couldn't get it done when it mattered the most. Still, this recent visit to the Les Invalides is very good and recommended if you are in the area to see this place. I mean, Napoleon I's crypt is here, although it's in the back of the complex, and you would have to pretty much weave through everything else to get to that part of the church area of the complex to see him. Either way, I would allocate about 3-4 hours to see everything. It may be more if you are a history buff to appreciate where you are. There were no public restrooms where I could see, so best bet would be to go at your hotel or B&B before venturing out for the day. I hope you will enjoy the Les Invades. It's a great place to visit, if you have a love affair for history and French architecture. Support local! B+
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Priscilla R.

Yelp
The history of the Hotel is not only interesting but tragic. When you first approach, you're greeted by the sheer amount of cannons lined up along the boundary. The courtyard inside, also lined with cannons, is huge, and still used today for parades and the like. Knowing that it was originally founded as a military hospital, adds a somber feel to the building. The fact that there is still a hospital on the grounds, solidifies that feeling. Gorgeous building, beautifully sad history. The Dome was incredible. The gold facade draws you in, and the quiet calm inside, keeps you there. Napoleon's Tomb, is a sight all in its own. Head of the class, even in death. Large, over the top, and obviously in Napoleon taste, the tomb actually has an understated feel to it. 15/10 would recommend.
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Aymie R.

Yelp
I visited Les Invalides in June 2013. Overall it was an interesting attraction - honestly it was just nice to go to a place less crowded and get out of the heat! Napoleon's Tomb is pretty neat to see. There are a TON of war artifacts in the museum as well. Entrance is included with the Paris Museum Pass - which I HIGHLY recommend for any trip to Paris (I like The City Case the best). The only downside - we could not find a bathroom! Remember what your mom used to say...go before you leave!
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Anthony G.

Yelp
Interesting museum that focuses on the French military. The exhibits from armory, weapons from the Middle Ages up to World War II. The main draw here is the tomb of Napoleon. Admission is €9,50 but if you have the Paris Museum Pass, it's included do I recommend purchasing one. A six day pass is €69 and worth it.
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Andy S.

Yelp
The church and tomb are underrated Parisian visits. The massive church and encompassing Invalides are worthy of a look. Everything appears to be on a grand scale here including the tomb of the tiny dictator. There is not much to do at the church except walk around and look, but it is an impressive view and a nice piece of history.
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Jean-Marc L.

Yelp
I went to the Invalides several times, and I believe that this one of the most interesting places in Paris. The main attraction here is Napoleon I's tomb, along with the French War Museum, which retraces the history of France through wars since the Middle-Ages. The entrance to the museum is free if you are from the European Union and under 26 years old, or if you have previously purchased the Paris Museum Pass. It is paid if you do not fit into any of these categories, but you will get a discount if you are a student. The museum has some great collections of weapons, uniforms, and other exhibits and Napoleon's tomb is a must see if you are just visiting Paris. Even you are not a big history person, you will probably be very surprised and amazed by the building's architecture, and that alone is a good reason to visit it. Overall, my experience with the Hôtel des Invalides was very positive and I would recommend it. Feel free to message me for any additional details that you may need!
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Steven H.

Yelp
One of the most stunningly beautiful and interesting buildings in a city full of stunningly beautiful and interesting buildings. Simply magnificent, especially at dusk (see the picture I posted here).
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Vince L.

Yelp
Such a grand building. In the middle of it is the grand tomb of Napoleon. It's size of my house...okay, maybe more like a bus.
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Alice G.

Yelp
A War museum- it is well worth the visit, especially Napoleon's tomb and the WWII exhibit. For me however, I have only been twice and that's enough forever as far as I'm concerned.
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Kathleen S.

Yelp
This is the most underrated museum! I'd been to Paris multiple times and never heard much about it. When we decided to go to Paris with our grade-school aged son who is fascinated by World War II, we checked it out and I'm so glad we did. Even if you aren't a military junky, between the amazing array of military uniforms and ceremonial outfits and the historical presentations, I found it one of the most fascinating museums I've EVER been to. We just happened to be there on a day where the courtyard was being used for a military graduation (see picture). Unexpectedly, I found their museum gift shop full of items for everyone and we had one of the best lunches in their cafe.
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Qype User (aaro…)

Yelp
This place is great if you are a fan of the Little General and want to see his monument. The building itself is impressive and more akin to a church than a monument. The feeling I got was that Napoleon was a little too sure of himself - thinking he was God and completely infallible. Glad I went to get a glimpse into his mindset, but not sure I'd recommend for first time visitors to Paris.
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Qype User (antoni…)

Yelp
A single ticket gives you access to the tomb of Napoleon and several museums around it, including the Museum of Arms. The garden and the historical building are perfect photo spots, even without entering the museums.
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Melissa F.

Yelp
This is a wonderful place to visit on a second or third trip to Paris or if you're into history. We had a great time speculating about the reasons behind giving up the palace to serve war invalids and of course also annoying the security guard by playing with the cannons seriously have you ever tried to lift a cannon ball, let alone move an entire cannon? It's amazing these wars & revolutions ever got anywhere strong backs I'll say that much. Over all it is very beautiful and there is a lot to generate a full afternoon of discussions & speculations about political culture back then (and now)
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Sean O.

Yelp
Awesome sight seeing spot. Neat military exhibits and, of course, Napoleon's tomb.
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Cathi E.

Yelp
Beautiful dome! Great place to go if you are interested in WWI and WWII memorabilia.
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Mia N.

Yelp
I think I'm getting too old for museums. I used to be so excited. No more. My husband is a vet so he was into it. The initial thrill of Napoleon's tomb wore off than I felt like I was sleep walking looking for the exit. The place was huge and so World War I went year by year. Really? I lost track after 1915....

Jo Y.

Yelp
Super awesome place to visit in Paris. Make sure to go all the way upstairs to see the relief museum -- all of the old models for planning purposes. It was amazing! Also go through the military museum to see Napoleon's battle outfits and so much more! If you go to Paris, you should go to Les Invalides. The price charged is a bit ridiculous, though, I must say. Not ideal pricing for families or groups.
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Janet H.

Yelp
There are many parts to this attraction - Napolenon's Tomb, Golden Dome, Musee de l'Armee, Hotel des Invalides, gardens, Musee de l'Ordre de la Liberation, Musee des Plans-Reliefs. You get to learn plenty of the history of France. The most impressive part is Napolenon's Tomb - it was almost spooky, I thought he was known for his size (small) and look at the size of his tomb!!
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Amy H.

Yelp
You can see the gold dome all over the City, so we had to check it out. We didn't even realize until we got there that it was Napoleon's Tomb inside. Many of his relatives and others are also in there. The architecture is beautiful and extreme. Fitting for Napoleon. The tombs are huge. It's all quite strange but fascinating.

Kevin L.

Yelp
No lines. Cool while it's like 80 outside. Nice artwork and artifacts. Can't ask for more. Perfection.