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.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 out of 5
The Army Museum was a chance visit whilst passing by, and I'm glad we did.
The amount of exhibits and military history on display was fascinating.
We could of spent hours here but time was against us as we had other engagements. Will be coming back again next year to fully take on the whole Museum😁
chrishullphoto - a week ago
This is the most complete collection of military history I have seen in one place. Walking through the centuries of warfare and French influence around the globe through the methods and tools of war. It is amazing to see how the technology and methods have evolved over time. We spent over 7 hours here capping the visit off with the tomb of Napoleon. This elaborate resting place is both an example of the opulence of the French rulers and a reminder of the excess that the French people rose up against. A Mecca for military history buffs.
Timothy Carmon - 2 weeks ago
I found the Army Museum in Paris to be incredibly interesting and informative overall, but the highlight of my visit was seeing Napoleon’s tomb. It was absolutely impressive and left a lasting impression. The history surrounding it is fascinating, and it’s a must-see if you’re visiting the museum. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in history.
Tatjana Kovtuna - a month ago
Wowwww. A half day is NOT enough to explore this museum. Sooooo interesting. Especially with their multimedia that actually shows and explains war strategy. Very very interesting and really needs time. So if you plan to go and you like warfare and French history, allocate at least 4-6 hours.
Great place for photos too - which you don't need to pay for. Can enter the open area and second floor before the exhibits for free.
Marco Nieto - a month ago
This was one of the most stunning places that I have been to in France. The museum itself is massive. I had planned on spending about three hours there and ended up spending the entire day. The amount of history that are inside of these chambers is unimaginable. I especially enjoyed learning about side of World War II. The medieval armor displays are amazing.
The most breathtaking room to be in obviously is the tomb of Napoleon. It’s inside the dome. Unbelievable!
buyushay - 5 months ago
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 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.
Map & Instant Route Finder
Click&Go Map and Route Finder with public transit, walking, driving or cycling directions. Get up-to-the-minute transit times for your route.
Accommodations near Musee de l’Armee:
Photo Gallery
-
View of the spectacular Palace Les Invalides cc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo by gadgetdude -
Photo Credit: Eric@focus - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Falcon_33 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Falcon_33 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Falcon_33 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Falcon_33 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Falcon_33 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Falcon_33 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Falcon_33 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Falcon_33 - cc license via Flickr
Video
Please provide consent and/or disable ad blocker to view the video.
