Les Invalides
(Museum of Arms and Armor)

The collections showcased at Les Invalides are varied, interesting and span over large periods of time

Old cannons on display at Les Invalides
Old cannons on display at Les Invalides cc licensed photo by b1mbo

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.

Musee de l’Armee Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 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: 01 44 42 38 77

Official Website: Musee de l’Armee

Musee de l’Armee Reviews

Rated 4.6 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating 17 euros per adult is a small price to pay for this museum. Covers the story of pretty much every war France took part in (and there were many) with hundreds of exhibits. To enjoy it fully set aside at least 3-4 hours. Visit to Napoleon's tomb is included. We bought tickets at the museum with no lines at a weekday.
Boris Maric - 3 weeks ago

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5 Star Rating As a military history enthusiast, visiting the Musée de l'Armée was one of the highlights of our European vacation, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. I visited with my wife and son, and we explored the Liberation exhibit, the World War galleries, the Armory, and, of course, Napoleon's Tomb. Napoleon's Tomb was absolutely magnificent. I was amazed by the craftsmanship and detail that went into not only his tomb but also those of other notable military leaders, including Marshal Foch. The museum is filled with incredible artifacts, some dating back to the 1500s and earlier, many of which simply aren't found in museums in the United States. It was a dream visit for anyone who enjoys military history. My only real complaints were related to the summer heat. The museum opens at 10:00 a.m. and closes at 6:00 p.m. During a heat wave, it would be nice if they considered adjusted seasonal hours, perhaps opening earlier in the morning and reopening in the evening to help visitors avoid the hottest part of the day. Also, while the World War galleries and the Armory were air-conditioned, the Liberation exhibit was not, which caused us to move through it more quickly than we would have liked. One helpful tip: if you're carrying a bag, it will be searched at the entrance, so plan a few extra minutes for security. Overall, this museum was absolutely worth the admission price and is a must-visit for anyone interested in military history or French history. I would gladly visit again.
Sean Conroy - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating Fantastic experience!!! Kids loved it: armors, swords, cannons and the likes! The tribute to Napoleon confirms he was a royalty for the French! Such beautiful work for his resting place! The history of WW1 and WW2 is depicted mostly from the French point of view, refreshing and instructive since we mostly hear about the American side of the story in movies etc. Many other exhibits going on, so many we didn’t do all of them! Cafe for snacks is a very, very expensive affair. Be warned!
Phil Green - 3 months ago

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5 Star Rating Amazing museum if you are into history or military. The Musée de l'Armée at Les Invalides is huge, and there is a lot to see as you go further inside the museum. The biggest highlight is probably Napoleon’s tomb under the Dome Church, which looked absolutely massive and had art everywhere on the walls and ceilings. They have many interesting and unique exhibits, including medieval armor, weapons, and detailed sections on WWII. The staff were polite and helpful when asking for directions, which was nice because the layout can be a little confusing with all the different places to visit. Similar to lot of historic spots in Paris, it can get pretty hot and uncomfortable inside during the summer since air conditioning is limited, so visiting earlier in the day or during cooler months would probably give you a better experience than I did😅.Also, make sure to bring fans and things for cooling off after. The outside courtyard and architecture surprised me, as their bushes are really pretty and great for photos. Overall, I would recommend, but be sure to bring a handheld fan, along with a good camera so you can take photos of the massive tomb. It is definitely worth checking out if you are visiting Paris.
blueberry man - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating Top 3 things to do in Paris!! Extremely interesting, interactive, and diverse. Spent a lot of time there—about 3 to 5 hours, and the ticket price felt very affordable for such a long and engaging activity. Not only does it house an impressive collection, but the architecture of the building itself is absolutely beautiful.
m - 3 months ago

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Directions

Metro / RER Line Nearest Station Walking Time
M8La tour - Maubourg3 minutes
M13Varenne5 minutes
RER CInvalides7 minutes

How to get to Musee de l’Armee 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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