Les Invalides

Les Invalides: The Gilded Dome and Its Main Gate

Look out over Paris from the Eiffel Tower, or from Montmartre on a clear day, and one building catches your eye: a huge…

Napoleon's Resting Place: The Dôme Church

Step through the entrance and you'll find a broad, square, plaza-like space called the Cour d'Honneur ("Court of Honor")…

Second Floor: The Story of the French Revolution

Now for the museum's galleries. The displays here cover the period from 1643 to 1871, from Louis XIV to Napoleon III, an…

First Floor: France at War

This floor covers the history of the French army from 1871 to 1945, including both World Wars. It is the museum's core e…

Basement Gallery: French Nationalism and Two Leaders

Next we head to the Charles de Gaulle gallery. The Army Museum lets you glimpse past glories, but by emphasizing those g…

Les Invalides in Gold: The Night of Light

You've now toured the Army Museum, Napoleon I's tomb included. Let's step away from war and history for a moment and loo…

Pont Alexandre III: Paris's Most Beautiful Bridge

Pont Alexandre III lies in a straight line from the Army Museum at Les Invalides toward the Seine. Walk out through the…

A Sweet Stop in the 7th: Caramel Paris

France is a land of fine food, and especially famous for sweet desserts. To help you recharge after exploring the sprawl…

Meringue Sweets in the 7th Arrondissement

Here's another dessert shop near Les Invalides, in Paris's 7th arrondissement. Rather than a famous name like Ladurée or…