by The Hôtel des Invalides in Paris is a landmark hotel and museum dedicated to French military history. It was originally built in 1671 by Louis XIV as a hospital for war veterans. The king wanted to provide a place where the veterans could be taken care of and given refuge, and the hospital soon became a popular destination for injured soldiers.
When the King decided to build Les Invalides Paris, he had a few projects to choose from different architects. Liberal Bruant’s architecture impressed the King because it provided accommodation for 4000 soldiers. Les Invalides consisted of five courts that functioned as houses, sick quarters, and a refectory. The biggest central court was royal.
Over the years, the Hôtel National des Invalides has been expanded and renovated. It now contains several museums and monuments related to France’s military history. The hotel is still home to veterans under the Institution Nationale des Invalides.
Table of Contents
- Things to do at Hôtel des Invalides:
- Visit the Cathedral of Saint-Louis des Invalides
- Visit the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte
- Visit Les Invalides’ Museums
- Final Thoughts
- FAQs
- What is Les Invalides famous for?
- How much does it cost to visit Les Invalides?
- Who were the Invalides in the French Revolution?
- Find Things to Do in Paris
- Find Accommodation
- Explore Paris With Our Guides & Reviews
Things to do at Hôtel des Invalides:
Visiting Les Invalides is the first step to an amazing experience in Paris, where you can learn about the history of France. Here are some of the places you can visit within Les Invalides.
Visit the Cathedral of Saint-Louis des Invalides
The Cathedral of Saint-Louis des Invalides is a Catholic church in Paris, France. It is the principal church of the military ordinariate of France. The cathedral was built as a shrine to house the relics of Saint Louis, King of France, and to serve as the chapel of the Order of Saint Louis.
Construction began in 1677 and was completed in 1706.
The most prominent monument in the Les Invalides complex is Napoléon Bonaparte’s tomb, the French’s first Emperor. His remains were transferred to Les Invalides on 15 December 1840. The tomb, designed by Louis Visconti, is located in the emperor’s former bedroom.
The cathedral itself is a marvel of beauty, art, and architecture. You will see flags of the territories conquered by French troops and witness different architectural features throughout the Cathedral.
See Related: Best Catholic Churches in Paris, France
Visit the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte
The Tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte is a large and prominent monument in the Les Invalides complex in Paris, France. It was designed by the architect Maximilien Robespierre and built between 1806 and 1840. Napoléon’s son, Emperor Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, commissioned the tomb, which is the only surviving structure from Napoléon’s Grande Armée.
Napoléon Bonaparte was the first Emperor of the French, and his tomb is a popular tourist destination in Les Invalides. The monument, designed by Maximilien Robespierre, features a large bronze statue of Napoléon on top. The tomb is in the emperor’s former bedroom, and his remains were transferred there from Saint Helena in 1840.
The most prominent feature of the tomb is the large bronze statue of Napoléon on top. The statue, created by the sculptor François Rude, shows Napoléon mounted on a horse. It is 18 feet tall and weighs 2.5 tons.
The tomb is also decorated with several bronze reliefs depicting scenes from Napoléon’s life. The most famous of these reliefs is The Coronation of Napoleon, which shows Napoléon being crowned emperor by the Pope.
The tomb is a popular tourist destination in Les Invalides. It is open to the public and free of charge.
See Related: Top 10 Churches in Paris to Visit
Visit Les Invalides’ Museums
The Les Invalides museums are a must-see in Paris. They offer visitors a unique look into France’s military history.
The Musée de l’Armée
The Musée de l’Armée is a military history museum in the Les Invalides complex in Paris, France. The museum was founded in 1807 by Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte and is the oldest military museum in the world.
The Musée de l’Armée is home to a large collection of weapons and armor from the Middle Ages to the present day. The museum also contains a large collection of paintings, drawings, and sculptures related to military history.
The Musée de l’Armée is one of the most popular museums in Paris, and it is free to the public.
The Musée de l’Armée is located in the Les Invalides complex in Paris, France. The museum was founded in 1807 by Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte and is the oldest military museum in the world.
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The Musée des Plans-Reliefs
The Musée des Plans-Reliefs is a museum of military architecture located in the Les Invalides complex in Paris, France. The museum was founded in 1905 and is dedicated to the history of French fortifications.
The Musée des Plans-Reliefs is a small museum with scale models of French fortifications from the Middle Ages to the present. The museum is open to the public free of charge.
See Related: Assemblée Nationale
The Musée de l’Ordre de la Libération
The Musée de l’Ordre de la Libération is a museum of the French resistance located in Les Invalides in Paris, France. The museum was founded in 1957 and is dedicated to the history of the French resistance during World War II.
The Musée de l’Ordre de la Libération is a small museum with photographs, documents, and artifacts of the French resistance during World War II. The museum is open to the public free of charge.
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Musée d’Histoire Contemporaine
The Musée d’Histoire Contemporaine is a museum of French history located in Les Invalides in Paris, France. The museum was founded in 1938 and is dedicated to the history of modern France from the 18th century to the present day.
The Musée d’Histoire Contemporaine is a large museum with a collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, and artifacts from the 18th century to the present day. The museum is open to the public free of charge.
See Related: Arc de Triomphe: Exploring the Iconic Paris Arch
Final Thoughts
Visiting Paris is a great experience, with many fun things to do in the city. After visiting Les Invalides, you can explore the surrounding areas and the magnificent areas around the city.
Plan your itinerary earlier to have the best time in Paris so you can easily move from one place to the next. Welcome to the City of Lights.
FAQs
What is Les Invalides famous for?
The Invalides, the full Hôtel National of Invalides, also called the Royal Invalides, is a complex with 17th-century buildings and patios in Paris that serve the care and accommodation of disabled veterans and as a church building.
How much does it cost to visit Les Invalides?
Les invalids. The site includes 15 courtyards, a church, and various architectural triumphs. A ticket for entering the museum is also valid on entry to the Napoleon Tomb. The courtyard, church, and garden can be visited freely.
A ticket to Les Invalides costs 8 euros for adults and is free for children under 18.
Who were the Invalides in the French Revolution?
The Hotel des Invalides was established by Charles IV in 1772 to provide lodging and hospitalization for wounded soldiers. In 1815, the Great Army numbered more than 5,000 survivors.
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