The Hôtel des Invalides, a majestic complex in Paris’ 7th arrondissement, stands as a testament to France’s military heritage. Officially known as L’Hôtel national des Invalides (The National Residence of the Invalids), this sprawling site houses a collection of museums, monuments, and historical treasures that tell the story of French military prowess.
More than just a museum, the Invalides complex also serves as a retirement home and hospital for French military veterans, fulfilling its original purpose envisioned over 350 years ago.
A Treasure Trove of Military History
Within the Invalides’ walls, you’ll find a captivating array of museums: the Musée de l’Armée (Army Museum), showcasing France’s military history; the Musée d’Histoire Contemporaine (Museum of Contemporary History), offering insights into recent events; and the Musée des Plans-Reliefs (Museum of Relief Maps), featuring intricate scale models of historical sites.
Napoleon’s Final Resting Place
One of the most significant draws for visitors to the Invalides is the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte, a world-renowned historical figure. Tourists from around the globe flock to this hallowed site to pay their respects to the legendary emperor.
A Royal Commission: The Birth of the Invalides
The Invalides’ journey began in 1670 when King Louis XIV, driven by a desire to care for his aging and wounded soldiers, commissioned the construction of a home and hospital for veterans. The name Invalides, a shortening of hôpital des invalides (hospital of the invalids), aptly reflects this noble purpose. Libéral Bruant, a renowned architect, was entrusted with the project, his design forever etched in the Invalides’ grandeur.
An Architectural Marvel: The Invalides Complex
The cour d’honneur (court of honor), a central courtyard of the complex, is bordered by a wide esplanade, the Esplanade des Invalides, which serves as a grand open space in the heart of Paris. Notable neighbors include the Finnish and Austrian embassies and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A Bridge to the Past and Present
The Pont Alexandre III bridge, a graceful architectural marvel, stretches across the Seine River at the far end of the esplanade, connecting the Petit Palais and Grand Palais. The Pont des Invalides stands further downstream, adding to the river’s charm. The Invalides’ influence extended beyond French borders, inspiring the creation of Greenwich Hospital in England in 1694.
A Grand Vision Takes Shape
The Invalides’ construction began on the suburban plain of Grenelle. Over time, the complex evolved into a sprawling structure with fifteen courtyards, the largest being the cour d’honneur, designed for military parades.
A Symphony of Architectural Styles
The Église Saint-Louis des Invalides, a magnificent chapel designed by Bruant, was completed in 1679. Later, Jules Hardouin Mansart, a renowned architect, was commissioned by Louis XIV to build a separate royal chapel, the Église du Dôme, named for its prominent dome. Inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the Église du Dôme is a masterpiece of French Baroque architecture.
An Artistic Masterpiece: The Interior of the Dome
The interior of the dome was painted by Charles de La Fosse, a disciple of Le Brun, who created a stunning Baroque illusion of space known as sotto in su. This captivating painting was completed in 1705.
A Monument to French Architecture: The Église du Dôme
Mansart skillfully employed architectural elements, including paired columns, to create a rhythmic theme that adds grandeur to the Église du Dôme. The chapel’s sculptural details and balanced design culminate in a ribbed, hemispherical dome that dominates the court of honor. Completed in 1708, the Église du Dôme stands as a testament to the architectural genius of its time.
Visiting the Hôtel des Invalides
Open year-round, the Invalides welcomes visitors with a few exceptions: the first Monday of every month and on January 1st, May 1st, November 1st, and December 25th.
Opening hours:
- October 1st to March 31st: 10 am to 5 pm (5:30 pm on Sundays)
- April 1st to September 30th: 10 am to 6 pm (6:30 pm on Sundays)
- Evening Opening on Tuesday (April 1st to September 30th): until 9 pm
- Dome Church (Napoleon’s tomb): Open until 6:45 pm in July and August
Ticket offices close 30 minutes prior to closing time.
Ticket prices:
- Full Fee: €9
- Discount Fee: €7 (war veterans, visitors after 5 pm and on Tuesday evenings, groups with prior reservations, Paris Visite card holders)
- Free: Children under 18 years old, EU nationals aged 18 to 25 years old
One single ticket provides access to the Musée de l’Armée, Napoleon’s tomb, the Historial Charles de Gaulle (closed on Mondays), the Scale-Models Museum, and the Order of the Liberation Museum.
A Journey Through History: The Invalides and Its Surroundings
Within the chapels of Saint Louis rest the graves of Napoleon I’s brothers Joseph and Jerome, his son, and the marshals of France. Beneath the cupola lies a red porphyry sarcophagus housing the remains of Napoleon, transported from the isle of St. Helena in 1840.
Napoleon’s deathbed, uniforms, and private arms are on display in the Army Museum. Some of the Invalides still serve as an army hospital, continuing its original purpose.
The Invalides Esplanade, a vast tree-lined expanse, slopes gently towards the Alexandre III Bridge and the Quai d’Orsay. The first stone for the bridge, celebrating Tsar Alexander III, was laid in 1897 by his son, Tsar Nicholas II. Completed in 1900 for the international exposition, the bridge leads to the Grand Palais and Petit Palais, relics of the grand fair. The Hôtel des Invalides, a legacy of King Louis XIV, stands to the northeast of the Military Academy.
The Hôtel des Invalides, a grand complex steeped in history and architectural grandeur, is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in French history, art, and military heritage. From the tomb of Napoleon to the magnificent dome of the Église du Dôme, the Invalides offers a captivating journey through time, leaving visitors with a lasting impression of France’s rich past.
