The Army Museum - Les Invalides

History

Louis XIV commissioned Les Invalides in 1670 to house wounded and elderly soldiers who could no longer serve, at a time when veterans without family support otherwise had little provision made for them. Architect Libéral Bruant designed the complex, and construction ran from 1671 to 1676. At its peak, Les Invalides housed as many as 4,000 veterans; a small number of war veterans and military retirees still live on the grounds today, though its role as a functioning retirement home has shrunk considerably since the 17th century.

The golden-domed church, the Dôme des Invalides, was added starting in 1677 under architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart and completed in 1706, built as a royal chapel adjoining the veterans' own church, Saint-Louis-des-Invalides. In 1840, King Louis-Philippe had Napoleon Bonaparte's remains brought back from Saint Helena and interred beneath the dome in an elaborate red quartzite sarcophagus, where they've remained since 1861. Other French military leaders, including Turenne and Foch, are also buried here.

The Musée de l'Armée itself was formally established in 1905, combining the former Musée d'Artillerie and Musée Historique de l'Armée into a single institution. Its holdings have grown since to nearly 500,000 items, ranging from medieval armor and Napoleonic weaponry to uniforms, paintings, and artifacts from both World Wars, making it one of the three largest military museums in the world by collection size.

The museum has continued to modernize since, adding the underground Historial Charles de Gaulle in 2008, an interactive multimedia space dedicated to the general's life and the Second World War, and expanding its guided tours and educational workshops through its partner Cultival.

Opening Hours & Wait Times

The museum is open every day of the year except 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December. Ticket counters close 30 minutes before the museum itself.

On the first Friday of every month, the museum stays open late until 10:00 PM (ticket counters close at 9:00 PM), giving access to the Dôme, the permanent collections, and the current temporary exhibition at a reduced evening rate.

Les Invalides is large enough that it rarely feels as crowded as the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower, even in peak season, and queues at the ticket counter are generally short. The busiest point tends to be the security check at the entrance rather than the ticket line itself.

Tickets & Prices

The "Museum and exhibitions" ticket covers the permanent collections, the Dôme des Invalides and Napoleon's tomb, the current temporary exhibition, the Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération, and the Musée des Plans-Reliefs.

Admission is free for visitors under 18, jobseekers with valid proof, disabled visitors and one companion. EU nationals and residents aged 18 to 25, along with holders of a French Pass Éducation, get free access to the permanent collections and the Dôme; a small supplement applies for the current temporary exhibition. Anyone entitled to free or discounted admission still needs to collect a ticket at the counter rather than walking straight in.

Holders of a valid Paris Museum Pass don't need to book ahead and can go straight to the entrance. Tickets can be bought online in advance or at the ticket counter on arrival.

Guided Tours

The museum runs its own guided tours through its partner Cultival, covering the highlights of the permanent collections and the Dôme, with a separate rate for individuals and for groups of 20 or more. These are a good option if you specifically want a structured walk through the collection rather than choosing your own route through the museum's several separate wings.

Third-party guided and skip-the-line tours are also available, typically bundling entry with a guide who focuses on Napoleon's tomb and the artillery and armor collections most visitors come to see.

Getting There

Les Invalides sits between the Champ de Mars and the Musée d'Orsay on the Left Bank, an easy walk from several other major sights.

Address: 129 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris, France

Highlights of Les Invalides

Good to Know

The museum is wheelchair accessible throughout, with elevators and ramps and loaner wheelchairs available at the ticket desk, though the Dôme church itself, where Napoleon's tomb sits, is not wheelchair accessible.

Large bags, backpacks, and suitcases aren't allowed inside, and there's no left-luggage service on site, so plan to leave bulky items at your hotel. Flash photography, tripods, and selfie sticks aren't permitted in the exhibition spaces.

Access to the museum is normally through the entrance at 129 rue de Grenelle, with a second entrance at Place Vauban open during the same hours. Occasional access changes happen for events or security reasons; check the museum's website on the day if you're visiting during a period of heightened security.

Current Special Exhibition

Every year, the museum hosts additional temporary exhibitions alongside its permanent collections. These are already included in the standard admission ticket.

The current exhibition marks the 250th anniversary of American independence, tracing the historical military and political ties between France and the United States, from the Marquis de Lafayette's role alongside George Washington through to the American interventions in both World Wars.

Photo Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

Aura Invalides

In the evening, after the museum has closed to regular visitors, the Dôme des Invalides hosts Aura Invalides, a separate 50-minute immersive light, video-mapping, and orchestral music show projected onto the dome's interior, walls, and vaulted ceiling.

Aura Invalides is a separate ticketed experience, not included with regular museum or Dôme admission, and runs regardless of whether you visited the museum earlier that day. Ticket prices vary by reseller and change periodically, so check the current rate on the official booking site before you book. The show isn't recommended for children under 5, and there's no wheelchair access since the route involves stairs both inside and outside the Dôme.

Entry works differently from daytime museum admission. The show uses its own entrance and address, 2 Place Vauban, 75007 Paris, on the opposite side of the complex from the main Grenelle entrance, and reached via Metro Saint-François-Xavier (line 13), Metro École Militaire (line 8), or bus lines 92, 28, or 69. Tickets must be booked online in advance, since there's no on-site box office for the show. Arrive at the time printed on your ticket, since it covers the security check rather than the show's actual start, and latecomers aren't admitted once the show has begun.

Book Aura Invalides tickets →