Les Invalides
(Museum of Arms and Armor)
The collections showcased at Les Invalides are varied, interesting and span over large periods of time
War has played a significant role in almost every country's history and France is no different. Les Invalides or the Museum of Arms and Armour contains a comprehensive history of war and the role it played in the establishment and development of the great country of France. Items on display here include weaponry, artillery used and armour and uniforms utilized by the French army. There are also a number of other important documents and tributes that are on display.
One thing to bear in mind is that much of the ancient French armour and weaponry, while practical and functional for its time, are also intricate and beautiful works of art. Viewing the exhibits of le musée de l'Armée is on par with visiting any of the finest art museums in Paris.
Les Invalides is situated in the 7th arrondissement of Paris and is home to an assortment of military equipment, monuments and military buildings. The buildings and palatial structures that house the museum and other military facilities including a hospital and veterans retirement home are truly spectacular. They have a rich history dating back to the late 1600s.
A visit to Les Invalides is quite the cultural experience for those looking to immerse themselves in the history of Paris and France. The museum of arms and armour resides within one of the buildings at Les Invalides while the burial site of some of the country's most revered war heroes is contained in one of the other buildings. In fact, the remains of Napoleon Bonaparte himself are buried in a tomb here, a tomb many patriots and historians would love to pay tribute to.
The museum, as it stands today, is more than a century old. It was established in 1905 when two prominent museums merged into one. The Historical Army Museum and the Artillery Museum merged to form the Museum of Arms and Armour. Some of the most notable collections in the museum would be the "ancient weapons and armours" collection, the "artillery scale-models" collection and the collection dedicated in part to Napoleon I. The collections showcased are varied, interesting and span over large periods of time and this museum is considered to be one of the best of its kind in the world. A visit to Les Invalides and the Museum of Arms and Armour is one of the best cultural daytrips you can go on while in Paris.
Nearby attraction: Musée Rodin
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes, however entry is free with the Paris Pass and for individuals under the age of 18. There is also lower admission after 5pm in summer and during winter.
Open Now
Hours This Week:- Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Address: 129 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris, France
Phone: 0 810 11 33 99
Official Website: Les Invalides
Directions
| Metro / RER Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| M8 | La tour - Maubourg | 3 minutes |
| M13 | Varenne | 5 minutes |
| RER C | Invalides | 7 minutes |
How to get to Les Invalides by Metro / RER
By Metro: from Latour - Maubourg station exit and walk northeast along Avenue de la Motte-Picquet to the main entrance; from Varenne Station exit and walk north along Blvd. des Invalides then left on Place des Invalides to the entrance.
By RER C: exit Invalides Station and proceed straight south through the plaza along Avenue du Marechal Gallieni to the entrance.
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Reviews
Rated out of 5
While there is a good collection of weapons and uniforms I didn't feel the meseum did a very effective job of conveying this evolution of the French army. I don't think was helped by the layout museum as you have to weave between small rooms and long corridors. Interesting there wasn't any mention on Waterloo that I could see, although I could easily have missed it. What was great was the exhibition on Napoleon. They had a number of his uniform and documents that he had written.
Elliott Gamble - 4 days ago
While there is a good collection of weapons and uniforms I didn't feel the meseum did a very effective job of conveying this evolution of the French army. I don't think was helped by the layout museum as you have to weave between small rooms and long corridors. Interesting there wasn't any mention on Waterloo that I could see, although I could easily have missed it. What was great was the exhibition on Napoleon. They had a number of his uniform and documents that he had written.
Very good museum. It’s huge and has a lot of interesting stuff. I was particularly interested in WW1 and WW2 and it was a very fascinating collection of items. Will definitely return to explore more! Napoleon’s crypt can be found here as well. It’s free for under 26 year olds from the EU.
Anita Benko - 19 days ago
Very good museum. It’s huge and has a lot of interesting stuff. I was particularly interested in WW1 and WW2 and it was a very fascinating collection of items. Will definitely return to explore more!
Napoleon’s crypt can be found here as well.
It’s free for under 26 year olds from the EU.
Dallon Mac - 1 month ago
Alexei Croitoru - 1 month ago
Video
Photo Gallery
View of the spectacular Palace Les Invalides cc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo by gadgetdude -
Verdun par Félix Vallotton (Musée de l'Armée, BDIC) cc licensed photo by dalbera -
See something or say something: Paris cc licensed photo by Eric Fischer -
Le Jour ni l’Heure 7718 : La Vénus des Invalides — parc de stationnement, Paris, dimanche 11 juin 2017, 18:04:24 cc licensed photo by Renaud Camus -
France Allemagnes 1870-1871 - Paris 2017 cc licensed photo by corno.fulgur75 -
Le Tombeau du Maréchal Foch de Paul Landowski (Église du Dôme des Invalides, Paris) cc licensed photo by dalbera -
PICT0511/paris City/Hôtel des Invalides/Place d'Arme et entrée/ cc licensed photo by dany13 -
L'église du Dôme des Invalides (Paris) cc licensed photo by dalbera -
L'église des soldats (Cathédrale Saint-Louis des Invalides, Paris) cc licensed photo by dalbera -
Tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte cc licensed photo by D-Stanley -
Puente Alexandre III cc licensed photo by guillenperez
