The Hôtel des Invalides is a big, impressive building in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. Its golden dome is very eye-catching, and it’s an important part of France’s history. But is it worth visiting? This article will help you decide!
My Take
What I Like:
- The temporary exhibits.
- The beautiful monuments.
- The affordable price.
What I Don’t Like as Much:
- You have to pay extra for a digital guide.
- There’s no official guided tour.
The Hôtel des Invalides isn’t as well-known as other famous places in Paris, so fewer people visit it.
It’s a beautiful place, and the guided tours are really interesting. The golden dome is breathtaking, especially when the sun shines on it, making it glitter from afar. The Musée des Invalides also has some really cool items, like old uniforms and weapons that tell fascinating stories about French history.
If you like French history and culture, it’s worth seeing. However, we don’t recommend it for young children—they might get bored quickly as some of the exhibits can be a bit long to go through.
A Bit of History
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The Hôtel des Invalides was built during the reign of King Louis XIV to take care of veterans and injured soldiers from the French army. The hospital here is still in use today, continuing its tradition of helping those who served the country.
The courtyard of the hospital is where France pays tribute to soldiers and famous people like Simone Veil (who fought for the legalization of abortion), Charles Aznavour (a famous singer), and Jacques Chirac (a former president of France). It’s really interesting to walk through the courtyard and imagine the important ceremonies that have taken place there.
The Hôtel des Invalides is made up of about ten buildings all close together, covering a total area of 13 hectares. One of these buildings is where Napoleon’s tomb is located, under the famous golden dome. The tomb itself is huge and made of red quartzite, giving it a very grand look.
Visiting the Hôtel des Invalides – What to Expect
How to Get There?
- Address: 126 rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris, France
There isn’t a private parking lot, so you can either park on the street or take public transportation:
- Metro: La Tour-Maubourg (line 8) or Varenne (line 13)
- Bus: Vauban – Hôtel des Invalides (lines 82 and 92)
The Hôtel des Invalides is accessible for people with reduced mobility—there are no stairs or slopes, making it easy for everyone to visit.
If you want to visit a specific part of the Hôtel des Invalides, make sure to check their official website beforehand to see if it’s open, as some areas may be temporarily closed.
When you get there, you’ll see the impressive golden dome from a distance, which is one of the standout features of the place. The buildings are quite spread out, but signs help guide you through different parts of the site.
Price and Opening Hours
- Opening Hours: Every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (open late until 9 p.m. on Tuesdays for special exhibits)
- Closed on: January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th
It’s best to avoid visiting during school holidays, as there will be more crowds. Weekdays are usually quieter, and you’ll be able to enjoy the exhibits without much hassle. You’ll need about 1 or 2 hours to see everything, but you could easily spend longer if you take your time.
Ticket Prices:
- Full Price: 14 euros
- Reduced Price: 11 euros
- Temporary Exhibit Ticket: 5 euros
- The Hôtel des Invalides is also included in the Museum Pass.
You can visit on your own, use a digital guide (for 5 euros), or join a guided tour. The digital guide is easy to use and provides lots of interesting details.
Places You Shouldn’t Miss
The Drawing Rooms (Salons des Invalides)
The first part of your visit will be the beautiful drawing rooms. You’ll see golden and ivory moldings, bright red walls, and portraits of important French leaders like King Louis XIV and Napoleon.
The rooms are decorated in a very fancy way, showing the wealth and power of France during the time of these great leaders.
It’s easy to imagine what life might have been like for the people who used these rooms hundreds of years ago.
Saint Louis Catedral
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On Sundays, soldiers used to come here to pray.
It’s a beautiful church with big chandeliers, arched ceilings, and fancy balconies.
The huge arched ceilings make the church feel very grand, and the bright chandeliers add a lot of light.
The church has many flags hanging from the tall columns, which were taken from armies defeated by the French. These flags tell stories about the battles won in the past.
The impressive organ in the church is still in use today and is one of the largest in Paris.
Musée de l’Armée
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The Musée de l’Armée is dedicated to the French army.
Here, you can see weapons, models, and war plans, with some dating back to 1777.
One of the most interesting things to see is the collection of old weapons and armor, which shows how soldiers used to fight in the past.
There are also models of old battles that help you understand how wars were fought and what strategies were used.
It’s a great way to learn about France’s military history and see some really unique artifacts.
Dôme des Invalides
This building used to be for the royal family, but now it holds Napoleon’s tomb. Napoleon’s tomb is one of the most important parts of the Hôtel des Invalides.
It’s huge, and it’s made from red quartzite and green granite. The tomb is very impressive because of its size and the beautiful decorations around it.
Napoleon is buried inside several coffins, one inside the other, to show his importance and to protect his remains. Seeing the tomb helps you understand how important Napoleon was to France.
Fun Facts About Hôtel des Invalides
- The golden dome of the Hôtel des Invalides is covered with over 12 kilograms of real gold, making it one of the brightest features in Paris!
- The complex of buildings is so large that it covers 13 hectares, about the size of 18 soccer fields!
- Napoleon’s tomb has six layers of coffins, each made from different materials like wood, lead, and marble, to protect his remains.
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
