Les Invalides - Military Museum
The Hôtel National des Invalides is a monumental complex located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France. It was originally built as a hospital and hospice for invalid soldiers, and is now one of the most popular tourist sites in Paris.
The Hôtel des Invalides was built on the orders of Louis XIV in the 17th century to provide a place to care for wounded and disabled soldiers, and to offer them a home and a pension. The main building is a large quadrangle, surrounded by several interior courtyards, gardens and chapels. The complex also includes several museums, including the Musée de l'Armée, which houses an extensive collection of weapons, military costumes, and other objects related to French military history.
The Hôtel National des Invalides is also famous for housing the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. The tomb is located in a large room called the Dôme des Invalides, which is topped by a spectacular golden dome. The tomb is surrounded by several sculptures and ornaments, and is permanently guarded by soldiers of the Republican Guard.
The Musée de l'Armée, which occupies a large part of the Hôtel national des Invalides, is one of the largest military history museums in the world. It offers a chronological exhibition of French military history, from ancient times to the present day. The museum contains a wide variety of objects, such as armor, firearms, uniforms, paintings and photographs, which illustrate the evolution of the art of war in France. The museum also contains a section dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte, which includes many of the emperor's personal items, such as his uniforms, his campaign tent, and his throne.
The Hôtel National des Invalides complex is surrounded by extensive gardens, which were laid out in the 18th century. The gardens offer a magnificent view of the Dôme des Invalides and the chapel, as well as the surrounding buildings of the 7th arrondissement of Paris. The gardens are also a popular place for Parisians and visitors to the city.
Located in the heart of the 7th arrondissement, at the end of the large esplanade of the same name, facing the Seine, the Hôtel National des Invalides is easily accessible from our hotel located two steps away, but also from our hotels near the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Palais Royal.