Paris 7th · Musée de l'Armée – Hôtel national des Invalides
Built from 1670 on Louis XIV's orders to house sick, wounded and retired soldiers, Les Invalides stands in Paris's 7th arrondissement. One museum ticket covers Napoleon I's tomb under the gilded Dôme, the Musée de l'Armée collections, the Museum of Relief Maps, the Museum of the Order of the Liberation and the temporary exhibition. The Esplanade des Invalides outside is open public space. Allow 2–4 hours, or 45 minutes to 1 hour for the tomb and Dôme only.
Dôme des Invalides
Under the gilded Dome since 1861. The sarcophagus is carved from blocks of red quartzite on a green granite base, and a statue of Napoleon in imperial robes stands at the back of the crypt. The Paris Region tourism board says the Dome inspired the US Capitol.
The history of the French army from the Middle Ages to the present day. The museum has singled out 24 aesthetic, technical and symbolic "treasures" from French military history to look for along the way.
Main courtyard
The main courtyard displays a large part of the artillery collections, including the Bombarde-mortier d'Aubusson, the largest known example in the world.
The soldiers' chapel of the complex, whose construction Hardouin-Mansart took charge of in 1676.
The Musée des Plans-Reliefs, the Museum of the Order of the Liberation and the Charles de Gaulle Monument are all inside the complex; the first two are included in the museum ticket.
Before you book
The standard entry sold on the official ticket office. It covers the permanent collections, the Dôme and Napoleon's tomb, the temporary exhibition, the Museum of the Order of the Liberation and the Museum of Relief Maps. An evening ticket is also sold.
Collections, Dôme, tomb, temporary exhibition
Sold by the official ticket office as an add-on to your entry, for commentary as you go through the Dôme and the collections.
Commentary add-on
An official combined ticket for Les Invalides and the nearby Musée Rodin, useful if you plan to see both on the same trip.
Invalides + Musée Rodin
A sound and light show held inside the Dôme, ticketed separately on the official ticketing site.
Sound and light show in the Dôme
Metro 8 to La Tour-Maubourg (about 3 minutes on foot) or Metro 13 to Varenne (about 4 minutes). RER C and Metro 8 also stop at Invalides on rue de l'Université. Buses 28, 63, 69, 82, 83, 92 and 93 serve the area.
The north entrance at 129 rue de Grenelle faces the Esplanade and is the main access. The south entrance at 2 place Vauban, on the Dôme side, keeps shorter hours, so check before relying on it.
Most visitors need 2–4 hours for the tomb and the museum. If you only want Napoleon's tomb and the Dôme, allow 45 minutes to 1 hour.
The first hour on weekday mornings is much calmer than weekend afternoons. Avoid school holidays if you can. The monthly evening opening is a quieter way to visit.
Start with the Dôme and Napoleon's tomb while it is quiet, then cross to the Musée de l'Armée and the artillery in the Cour d'honneur.
Plan your visit
2 guidesComplete guide to Les Invalides tickets: pricing, ticket types, online booking, discounts, and skip-the-line options. Book direct and avoid queues.
ExplorePlanning guide for visiting Les Invalides Paris: opening hours, how to get there, ticket prices, accessibility and tips before you book.
Before you book
The bridge at the far end of the Esplanade des Invalides, reached via the Quai d'Orsay. Walking the Esplanade links it to the north entrance.
Close to Les Invalides and sold with it as an official combined ticket.
Seat of the National Assembly, listed among the sights near Invalides station.
In the same part of the city, so it combines easily with a morning at Les Invalides.
Just published
Discover who qualifies for Les Invalides free entry in Paris. Learn about age groups, EU residency, first Sundays, and disability access eligibility.
10 min read · 3 Oct 2026
Compare Les Invalides skip-the-line tickets vs. standard entry. See real wait times by season and decide if fast-track access saves enough time and money.
8 min read · 3 Oct 2026