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    Hôtel des Invalides

    4.4 (86 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

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    The Cathedral of St Louis des Invalided inside
    Guy H.

    I don't know what I expected but, it's not what I got! While walking in this part of Paris to see other attractions, I kept noticing an interesting building in the distance. After some time weaving through the area I found myself one street over so, decided to look it up on my phone. One of the reasons I could see it from almost anywhere in this part of Paris is the 351-foot high dome gilded in 28 lbs of gold! Originally built in the 1600s as a hospital for soldiers, it now contains the tomb of Napolean! What a find. Just another beautiful building I was prepared to appreciate from the exterior as I walked by, ended up being an unbelievable must-see. All the cliche you hear about Napolean comes into clear focus when you see his over the top final resting place. I mean this is almost absurd. I am sure military buffs would get more out of this building than most, as it houses the military history of the highest order. It was used as an "old soldiers" hospital well into the twentieth century. A chapel was built there and the soldiers required to attend. However, it was expanded and became a recognized cathedral. Designed in a Baroque style modeled after St Peters Basilica, it's an impressive church and one of the best reasons to see the building including Napoleon's tomb. Several of Napoleans's family members, French military officers that served under Napolean and other French war heroes are also interned here in various magnanimous and impressive coves of the building. The tomb itself is the size of a small school bus and made of red quartzite sitting on a green granite base! I spent a lot of time gawking at this alone. Definitely worth a visit or a study from your quarantine lair!

    Elgin M.

    Such a great experience. My only regret is underestimating how much I would enjoy this place and not leaving myself more time. How many times do you get a chance to enter Napoleons tomb? To stand in front of swords held by actual knights? Weapons dating back to 1500 BC? Check Samurai armor dating back 400 years? YUP Suits of armor worn by kings? Check I don't know how necessary it is to revisit a lot of places in Paris once you've been there. But this will certainly be once that I do. If you're on the fence about going. Allow me to push you over........GO!!!!

    Tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte under the Dome of Hôtel des Invalides
    Michael S.

    Hôtel des Invalides is a beautifully restored classical French architectural landmark and home to the tomb of Napoléon, tallest church in Paris, and Musée de l'Armée. It is not a hotel. It is also no longer a place for "Invalides." Ok, so, what are invalides? Well, they're military veterans no longer "valid" to serve. None other than the Sun King Louis XIV ordered the construction of this immense hospital in 1670 to receive and assist wounded warriors who were declared "invalid" to continue service in the army. It's officially known as "Hôtel National des Invalides" which Wikipedia translates to "The National Residence of the Invalids." Many just refer to it as "Les Invalides." I'll refer to it as another must-visit tourist destination in a city overflowing in monuments. The Dôme des Invalides is gilded in nearly 28 pounds of gold leaf and, at a height of 351 feet (107 meters), it stands as an eye-catching landmark visible from many parts of Paris. Under the dome, is the tomb of Napoleon. That's right this is the final resting place of the the one and only Napoléon Bonaparte ... aka Napoléon 1st ... aka The Little Corporal ... aka Nightmare of Europe ... aka The Heir of the Republic ... aka Le Général Entrepreneur ... aka The Emperor of the French, King of Italy, Protector of the Confederation of the Rhine, and Mediator of the Helvetic Confederation. Seriously, only Daenerys has more titles than this guy. Anyways, he's dead and you can look at the ornate box in an ornate room under an ornate dome that holds his remains. Also at Les Invalides is the the Cathedral Saint-Louis des Invalides and the Musée de l'Armée as well as a huge military parade ground ... from which we were shooed away from because President Macron was arriving soon for a ceremony. Other museums include Historial Charles de Gaulle, Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération, and Musée des plans-reliefs. * Admission: €12 for Adults * Under 18 is free * Closed: Jan 1, May 1, and Dec 25 * Museums are open 10:00am-5:00pm (later in summer) * The grounds are open 7:30am-7:00pm * On summer Tuesdays, Les Invalides is open to 9:00pm * 2 entrances: Place Vauban and the Esplanade * A-40 minute iPad Dôme guide is €5 * Check out the concerts & events schedule * Le carré des Invalides restaurant opens at 9:00am * The gift shop opens at 10:00am * Coat check is at the Place Vauban entrance Les Invalides (aka Hôtel des Invalides) is a huge complex featuring classic French architecture designed by Liberal Bruand and Jules Hardouin-Mansart. The architectural achievements alone make this a site awe-inspiring while the dome, tombs, and museums make it a must-visit tourist destination in the heart of Paris.

    Edmund L.

    This was one of my favorite museums in Paris! Being a big fan of military history, this was one of the places I looked forward to the most. It had everything a military history buff could want..Napoleon's Tomb, life sized models of soldiers, and diagrams of military battles. I could spend hours in that museum watching those digital reenactments of different battles like Austerlitz or Waterloo. A must visit for military history fans!

    Nicole P.

    An excellent museum and monument - in fact, it's actually multiple museums in one, so much to take in that if you're a history buff you could easily spend an entire day here and not see it all. What's also nice is that it is relatively quiet and free from massive tour bus crowds, so after dealing with massive swarms of humanity at the Louvre and Musee d'Orsay it made for a refreshing break in the action. Napoleon's Tomb is not to be missed, of course. Even if you're not into visiting tombs and graves, the sheer massive size of it and over-the-top grandeur is a sight to behold. But then there is the excellent museum of the two World Wars, full of historical artifacts, uniforms, propaganda posters, and videos that bring history to life (from a very French point of view, of course). There's a massive collection of arms and armor, by which point I was a bit too exhausted to spend much time in, The Cathedral of Saint-Louis, and just the history of the buildings themselves. Definitely worth spending at least a few hours in if you have any interest in history.

    Sarah S.

    My friends and I went here but it was quite confusing finding this spot, I must say. Our main goal was Tombeau de Napoleon and we couldn't find clear signs and then realized it's inside this Institution Nationale des Invalides. The monument houses the tomb of Napoleon...plus tons of his relatives and other military officials. This was super confusing to my friends and I trying to find THE Napoleon's tomb. If you're confused like we were, just know that tiny Napoleon Bonaparte takes center stage right in the middle of the monument with all attention on his huge tomb. His sarcophagus lies right in the center of the monument. Kind of freaky to think his body is inside of the casket. Apparently there are also some hearts of notable military men in the vaults, as well. It's all quite eerie. We went down below into where the actual vaults are there was a really creepy hallway roped off. Eek! This isn't a top priority for people while in Paris to visit but I'm so glad we checked it out.

    Institution Nationale des Invalides (Winter 2010)
    Ken G.

    Wow - an awesome piece of architecture showcasing the splendor of Paris art and detail. This monument houses Napoleon's tomb and it really is a site to see how much work and money went into something so that people don't forget this famous leader. This is a must see in Paris!

    Tina C.

    Les Invalides is accessible via the Métro. This museum is most famous for residing Napoleon the First's tomb. He sits in the middle of the beautifully decorated former hospital, in a large stone coffin. His tomb is crafted in red porphyry from Russia, placed on a green granite base outlined in a circle of laurels and inscriptions, very elaborate indeed. Other dearly departed renown residents are: Victor Hugo, Madame Curie, Pierre Curie which are not as eleborate or immense a scale as Napoleon's tomb. France's history is alive!

    Tom H.

    Our tour bus drove by this building where Napoleon's tomb is displayed. Unfortunately we didn't have time to go inside, but I did get these great exterior pictures. The Hôtel des Invalides was commissioned in 1670 by Louis XIV in order to provide accommodation and hospital care for wounded soldiers. The chapel of the Invalides was built at the end of the 17th century by Jules-Hardouin Mansart and contains Napoleon's tomb. Next visit in Paris I will make this historic building my number one priority to see!

    Rude staff

    After visiting the military museum on the 11th this month in November, I came to the gift shop. It was close to 5pm and I worried about not being able to see the emperor's tomb. So I asked a worker who happened to be at the entrance about the open time that day. The gentleman was skinny and comparably short. He seemed to be in his mid 40 to late 40's and have less hair in the middle of the head. He looked up and frowned, shook his head then continued minding his business while saying something I didn't understand, which I assumed it was French. I was confused because apparently he was annoy that somebody would DARE to ask him any questions. Not being able to get an answer, I had to ask him again. He used a tongue - so arrogant that make me feel like he took himself as a king, finally said 2 words in English while pointing at me "check there!" I looked at the direction of his finger and found out it was the brochure, which was in French. Please remember, at this moment he barely even lift his precious head. I knew he intended to offend and anger me. But I controlled myself and said "well you seem to be very polite." He said "OF COURSE!" Then use his left hand to drive me away. This tremendous rudeness almost shocked me - it has never happened while I was traveling in any other countries or regions. The fact that his rudeness was performed so naturally that it made think it actually happened a lot on this guy. I finally came back to the gift shop later. Unfortunately, the same guy was working as a cashier. The stripe reader on the other cashier's didn't work so I had to queue in line for him. I knew for sure he would humiliate me again, even though I still couldn't know why. So a female worker kindly helped me with checking out. During checkout, I tried to talk or at least to interact with him to figure out if he just had a bad day, but he just pretended like he couldn't hear me at all. The people standing in line heard it and all felt he was rude, he could still manage to ignore my existence. Anyway, as an English speaker from the US, I felt being shamed and humiliated on purpose on my first day in France. It was funny to realize that the world is more like a unit than before but there are still people who would act in this racist way - at least in my opinion, he seemed to be very upset about the presence of an English speaker that he had to hold grudge against me or whoever dared to interact with him in English. Les Invalides is an amazing historic site. There are people visiting from all over the world every day. A man like him is just ruining it.

    Will check it our next time
    Adrienne K.

    My 7-year old son and I jammed a lot into our 14-day adventure of Paris but unfortunately we did not have time for Les Invaldies. Just gives me 1 more excuse to get back to Paris. Since this trip a year ago now, I have adopted Paris as my second home and maybe someday my final home. I am giving it a 3 review since we did not visit the campus or Tomb of Napoleon.

    Rhonda W.

    Our guide told us this fancy building was built for Soldiers . so many were left homeless and wounded .. having to place to go and it looked bad on the King .. so he had this built to care for the Veterans. we went past this as a part of our Globus tour .. on a our bus ... and stopped to take a few pics. In fact this is were we had our one and only group photo.

    Famous tomb
    Patty R.

    Any history buff would be thrilled to visit this location. There is such a sense of grandeur and history - so much to see. The admission of 12 Euros was very reasonable in our opinion, as we spent a good part of the day there. The museum, the cathedral, and Napoleon's Tomb all offer very much to see. We strolled, stopped for a quick coffee and snack at the café located on site. The exterior grounds and gardens were also just lovely.

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    An amazing piece of history with remarkable architecture. Napoleon the First's tomb is here. Well worth a visit!

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    15 years ago

    Such a grand building. In the middle of it is the grand tomb of Napoleon. It's size of my house...okay, maybe more like a bus.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Hôtel des Invalides Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Hôtel des Invalides

    Also, houses Napoleon's tomb under a beautiful and opulent chapel and a wonderful tribute to Charles deGaulle.

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    La Tour Eiffel - 7am view from our hotel

    La Tour Eiffel

    4.6(2.2k reviews)
    1.4 kmTour Eiffel/Champ de Mars, 7ème

    Landmark in Paris, France…read more.. I've visited this famous piece of architecture a few times before I knew about Yelp. Back in 2000, I was here with my former co-worker. She didn't want to visit because there was a bomb threat. I told her that it's just a threat. How many miles and hours did we fly to just stay in the hotel room? She ended up walking outside with me... LOL! Our friend dropped us off this time to just get photos. He and his wife drove around the block and picked us up in-between stops. Parking is quite the challenge here! Be on your best behavior... some guards with guns marched past us!

    I had a 3 pm reserved ticket To The Top and arrived 30 minutes early. I'm glad I did because they…read morewere running behind schedule. Once On Top I was almost 1,000 feet above ground and the views were dramatic. One level is fully enclosed behind large windows and the level above is open air with large metal screens for protection. That day the wind was calm so it was very pleasant to be on that level. On the open air level you can buy a glass of champagne and macarons to celebrate if you wish. Above you the tower rises for about another 100 feet for radio antennas, etc. It costs extra to go To The Top and it is worth it. If you do, go there first and then work your way down to the 2nd and then 1st levels. You can only access The Top by elevator. The 2nd level (400 feet) and 1st level (200 feet) are accessible by elevator and stairway. Remember it's much easier going downhill than uphill. By the way, the stairs are open air but enclosed with metal screens making it impossible for you to fall off. If you are on the 1st level and want to exit it is faster to do so by stairs rather than waiting on the elevator. There are upscale restaurants on the 1st and 2nd levels and there are chairs that you can sit on and enjoy the view. Actually, the famous French landmarks are better seen from the 2nd level than The Top. There are 2 Metro stations within less than 10 minute walking distance to the Tower so getting here is easy. It amazes me that this HUGE landmark was originally designed to be a temporary structure only, They were suppose to take it down but decided it was too popular.

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    La Tour Eiffel - A friend just sent this Eiffel tower photo

    A friend just sent this Eiffel tower photo

    La Tour Eiffel - Eiffel Tower, Paris December 1,2024.

    Eiffel Tower, Paris December 1,2024.

    La Tour Eiffel - Bask in the shadow of the Tower of Eiffel and eat the buttered toast of luck and forgiveness.              -VerveBimly

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    Bask in the shadow of the Tower of Eiffel and eat the buttered toast of luck and forgiveness. -VerveBimly

    Quartier Latin - Oh! Si tu pouvais lire dans mon coeur, tu verrais la place où je t'ai mise! So I wander...

    Quartier Latin

    4.7(9 reviews)
    2.3 kmSaint-Michel/Odéon, 5ème

    Part of the oldest area of Paris the Latin Quarter or 5th Arrondisement is so unique and…read moreinteresting you must visit Tons of old cobblestone side alleys with bars,cafes,bistros, and shops it is truly one of a kind

    Latin Quarter, Paris, France. 5th arrondissement…read more Oh! Si tu pouvais lire dans mon coeur, tu verrais la place où je t'ai mise! Oh! If you could read my heart, you would see the place that I keep you.. so I wander.. A cool, old, very old neighborhood in Paris. I'm usually in the Montmartre, Madeleine, or Pyramids areas of Paris, so for me, crossing Le Seine River is the first step before any steps are in Quartier Latin. Wandering Quartier Latin was fun for me. Passing historical landmarks such as the Natural History Museum, the Panthéon, Medieval Musée de Cluny with the Lady and the Unicorn Tapestries that dates to circa 1511, to more modern destinations like the Shakespeare & Company English Bookstore, which dates to 1911 and seems so beautifully out of place. Just walking the streets you can find yourself in well known movie spots, like the Rue Mouffetard - Market Street, where Julia Child listed as her favorite outdoor market. The same streets made popular by Meryl Streep seen shopping in Julie and Julia! Oui, oui! In the end, I encourage you to stroll through Quartier Latin. One of the most architectural preserved arrondissement in all of Paris and it's absolutely free! Wanderlust like I did and find cobblestone streets filled with history and character! Voltaire sleeps for eternity at the Panthéon and so does Madame Curie. Oh! If you could read my heart... IG: @eric_travel_guru

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    Quartier Latin
    Quartier Latin - Oh! Si tu pouvais lire dans mon coeur, tu verrais la place où je t'ai mise! So I wander...

    Oh! Si tu pouvais lire dans mon coeur, tu verrais la place où je t'ai mise! So I wander...

    Quartier Latin - Oh! Si tu pouvais lire dans mon coeur, tu verrais la place où je t'ai mise! So I wander...

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    Oh! Si tu pouvais lire dans mon coeur, tu verrais la place où je t'ai mise! So I wander...

    Hôtel des Invalides - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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