Hôtel des Invalides

About Hôtel des Invalides

Hotel des Invalides is a large complex in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, built in the 1670s under Louis XIV as a home and hospital for aging and wounded soldiers. The name still reflects that original purpose, but today most visitors come for what the site has become over the centuries: a cluster of military museums, a royal chapel, and the gilded dome that has become one of the most recognizable parts of the Paris skyline. The long facade facing the Seine sits behind a wide esplanade, and the complex is close enough to the Eiffel Tower and the Rodin Museum to combine in a single walk through the neighborhood.

The main draw inside is the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte, placed beneath the Dome des Invalides in a series of nested coffins resting in a sunken crypt of red quartzite. The surrounding buildings house the Musee de l'Armee, one of the largest collections of military history in the world, covering armor, weapons, uniforms, and artifacts that run from the medieval period through the two World Wars. Several other emperors, generals, and members of Napoleon's family are also buried on the grounds, and the Saint-Louis-des-Invalides church still functions as the chapel of the complex.

Entry to the museums and the dome requires a paid ticket, and the same ticket generally covers the Musee de l'Armee along with Napoleon's tomb. Plan for roughly two hours if you want to see the main galleries and the crypt at a reasonable pace, longer if military history is a particular interest. The outer courtyards and esplanade are freely accessible, so it's worth walking the grounds even if you don't go inside. Opening times and which sections are open can vary, so it's sensible to check current arrangements before you go.