Why go

The gilded dome of Les Invalides is one of the great landmarks of the Paris skyline, and beneath it lies the most famous tomb in France. Louis XIV founded the Hôtel des Invalides in 1670 as a home and hospital for wounded and elderly soldiers, and part of it still serves that purpose today. In 1840, almost 20 years after his death in exile on Saint Helena, Napoleon’s remains were brought back to Paris and later placed here in a monumental tomb of red quartzite.

The complex is also home to the Musée de l’Armée, one of the largest military history museums in the world, with collections running from medieval armour to the Second World War. Even if military history is not your passion, the architecture and the tomb make it a rewarding visit. The long classical façade facing the Seine, with the Esplanade stretching to the river, is one of the grandest set pieces of 17th-century Paris.

What to see

  • Napoleon’s Tomb. Beneath the Dôme church, the emperor’s sarcophagus sits in an open circular crypt surrounded by statues of victories.
  • The Dôme church. Jules Hardouin-Mansart’s church, crowned by its gold-leafed dome, also holds the tombs of other marshals and members of Napoleon’s family.
  • Arms and armour. Suits of royal armour and weapons from the Middle Ages to the 17th century.
  • The world wars galleries. Two world wars told through uniforms, maps, letters and film.
  • The main courtyard. The Cour d’honneur is lined with cannons and arcades.

Plan your visit

Les Invalides opens every day from 10am to 6pm. On the first Friday of the month it stays open until 10pm, except in July and August, which is an atmospheric time to see the tomb. It is closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. The Historial Charles de Gaulle section is closed from 21 October to 17 November 2026.

A full-price ticket costs €17, and the reduced rate is €12. It covers Napoleon’s Tomb and the museum’s permanent collections. Entry is free for under 18s and for EU residents aged 18 to 25. If you plan to visit the Musée Rodin as well, a combined ticket for both costs €26. Tickets are sold online and at the desks on site, and queues are usually short outside summer.

The museum is large, so choose. Most visitors start in the Dôme church with the tomb and then pick one or two sections, such as armour or the world wars. Allow two to three hours in total. The main entrances are on Place Vauban on the Dôme side and at 129 Rue de Grenelle.

The nearest Metro stations are La Tour-Maubourg on line 8 and Varenne on line 13. From Invalides station, on the RER C, the walk across the Esplanade gives the best view of the façade. There is a café on site and lockers for small bags.

Nearby

The Musée Rodin and its sculpture garden are just across Boulevard des Invalides. The Pont Alexandre III, the most ornate bridge in Paris, leads from the Esplanade to the Grand Palais, and the Eiffel Tower is about 20 minutes’ walk away.