Museum of the Army - Les Invalides

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Come and visit the Paris Army Museum housed in Les Invalides, one of the most famous monuments in Paris. Included, the visit of the tomb of Napoleon 1st.

Priority access
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Must-do

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€17

Tickets to the Invalides

E-tickets with priority access

Zugang zu den Dauer- und Wechselausstellungen des Armeemuseums, dem Grabmal Napoleons I. (Dôme-Kirche), dem Museum der Reliefpläne und dem Museum des Befreiungsordens.
.Täglich von 10:00 bis 18:00 Uhr

€17

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Combined Tickets

Sightseeing cruise on the Seine + Paris Army Museum

Exclusive offer: Save €6.80

Access to the Army Museum - Invalides
Sightseeing cruise on the Seine (departure Pont de l'Alma, duration 1h10)

€27.20 ~~€34~~

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Army Museum - Les Invalides + Pantheon in Paris

Save €3

Priority access to the Army Museum - Les Invalides
Priority access to the Pantheon

€27 ~~€30~~

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Rodin Museum + Army Museum - Les Invalides

Exclusive offer: Save €3.20

Priority access to the Army Museum - Les Invalides
Priority access to the Rodin Museum

€28.80 ~~€32~~

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Reservation

What to expect

The Dome of the Invalides resembles a golden crown, a tiara that sits on more than 300 years of history. Behind its imposing façade, the complex unfolds itself, with its wings, courtyards, churches and infirmary. One of the major architectural creations of the reign of Louis XIV, today the Invalides welcomes guests to the Musée de l'Armée and its incredible historical treasures: armour and cuirasses from the royal collections, artillery and trophies from all ages, as well as ultra-realistic miniatures of French victories. But the museum is also worth visiting for its architecture and its dome, which soars to a height of more than 100 metres. The renown of the Invalides also owes much to an illustrious guest: the Royal Church of the Dome has been hosting the Emperor Napoleon I and his tomb for over a century and a half.

Opening Hours of the Army Museum

From April 1 to October 31: open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
From November 1 to March 31: open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Additional information regarding museum access:

Free access to the Cour d'Honneur and Saint-Louis des Invalides Cathedral.
The museum is closed on January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th.
On the first Monday of each month: only the Dôme Church (tomb of Napoleon I), the Saint-Louis des Invalides Cathedral, the current temporary exhibition, and the artillery trail in the Cour d'Honneur are accessible.
On the first Monday of July, August, and September, the entire museum is open except for the Charles de Gaulle Historial.
During Christmas and winter school holidays, the museum stays open until 5:30 p.m.
On Tuesdays from April to September, the Dôme Church, the Modern Department, and the current temporary exhibition are open until 9 p.m.
In July and August, the Dôme Church (tomb of Napoleon I) is open until 7 p.m.
The Charles de Gaulle Historial is closed every Monday.

Admission Fees

Full Price (18 years and over): €17
Cancellation Policy: tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

Reduced Price: €12 (only available at the ticket office) for:

Veterans
SNCF "Large Family" cardholders
Groups of 10 or more people, with reservation
Holders of the Paris Visite Pass (valid card and coupon required)
Military reservists (upon presentation of military ID)

Free Admission (upon presentation of valid proof) for:

Visitors under 18 years of age
Job seekers residing in the European Union
Recipients of social welfare benefits (proof dated within the past 6 months) residing in France
Visitors with disabilities and one accompanying person per disabled visitor
Journalists residing in the European Union
Members of ICOM and ICOMOS
Civilian personnel of the Ministry of Defence
French and foreign military personnel (in uniform)
Members of the Society of Friends of the Army Museum
EU nationals or residents aged 18 to 25 and holders of the Pass Education: free access to permanent collections, the Dôme Church (tomb of Napoleon I), Saint-Louis des Invalides Cathedral, the Charles de Gaulle Historial, the Museum of the Order of the Liberation, and the Museum of Relief Maps. To visit the temporary exhibition, they must purchase a €5 ticket at the ticket office.

Note: All visitors eligible for free admission must collect a "free ticket" at the ticket office.

The Royal Hôtel des Invalides

The first stone of the Invalides was laid by the Sun King himself in 1671. It was the second-largest construction project of his reign, after the Palace of Versailles. The Royal Hôtel des Invalides was a personal initiative of Louis XIV. For the first time in history, a monarch organized a retirement home for soldiers who were no longer able to serve.

Before the creation of the Invalides, wounded or elderly soldiers were taken in by monasteries or wandered the streets, often causing public disturbances. By ordering the construction of the Hôtel des Invalides, Louis XIV sought to resolve a genuine security problem.

Its 100-meter-high dome is a marvel of art and architecture. Its most original feature is the superposition of domes lavishly adorned with gold leaf and celestial allegories. Saint Louis is depicted in an ermine mantle laying down his sword and coat of arms at the feet of Christ, symbols of power.

The Emperor's Tomb

On December 15, 1840, the ashes of Emperor Napoleon I were brought to the Invalides in a grand ceremony. From that moment, the royal church beneath the dome was repurposed as the Emperor’s mausoleum. The sarcophagus is an imposing 18-ton block of red porphyry from Siberia, set atop a granite base. On the floor, a laurel crown evokes the great victories of the Empire. A circular gallery lists Napoleon’s accomplishments—his codes, laws, and major public works.

Common questions

What does the Army Museum ticket include?

The ticket grants free access to the permanent collections of the Army Museum, the current temporary exhibitions, the Dome Church of the Invalides, the Museum of the Order of the Liberation, the Relief Map Museum, and most notably, the tomb of Napoleon I.

How much does the Army Museum - Les Invalides ticket cost?

The standard ticket price for the Army Museum in Paris is €17. A reduced rate of €12 is available at the museum ticket counters for large families and war veterans. Entry is €5 for EU citizens or residents aged 18 to 25, and for holders of the Education Pass, who actually benefit from free admission.

What are the opening hours of the Hôtel National des Invalides?

Les Invalides are open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., like the Army Museum, except on January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th.

Where is the Army Museum in Paris located?

The address of the Army Museum is 129 Rue de Grenelle, Paris (75007). There are two entrances to the museum: via the Esplanade at 129 Rue de Grenelle and via the Dome of the Invalides at 2 Place Vauban. Good to know: on Tuesdays, only the Esplanade entrance is available after 6 p.m.

Is it possible to drive to the Army Museum?

While it's generally discouraged to drive through Paris due to frequent traffic congestion, there is a paid parking lot a few steps from the museum at 23 Rue de Constantine.

How to get to the Army Museum?

We strongly recommend using public transportation or biking. By metro, exit at La Tour Maubourg or Invalides on Line 8 (Balard - Créteil). The Varenne station on Line 13 is also an option. By RER C, get off at the Invalides station on Rue de l’Université.