Discover France’s turbulent and illustrious military history on this tour of the Musée de l’Armée. Housed inside the gold-domed building known as the Hotel des Invalides, this museum will reveal secrets and stories of Napoleon and Louis XIV.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Covid-19 precautions: Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
Reserve now & pay later: Reserve now & pay later to book your spot without any charges today. Learn more
Duration 1.5 - 2 hours: Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the ticket line
Live tour guide: English, Spanish, German, Italian, French, Russian
Private or small groups available

Highlights

Learn about Napoleon and his role in French history
See Napoleon's tomb
Hear about the origins of the Invalides building

Full description

Your guide will lead you through the epic courtyard of the Invalides, discussing its 17th century roots as a veteran’s hospital under King Louis XIV. You’ll visit the cathedral that Louis built for his former troops, who found respite here after returning from battle. After discussing the Sun King’s contributions to France’s military history, you’ll learn all about the nation’s most elite leader, Napoleon Bonaparte. A brilliant general and audacious emperor, he is synonymous with France’s golden days of military conquest. Ultimately pushing too far, Napoleon died in exile, though his remains are interred underneath the magnificent gold dome. See his tomb up close, as well as the tombs of those closest to him, while basking in the ornate homage to this leader. Spend some time in the museum to learn all about this man, beyond his famous stature, through artifacts, recreations and military maps that walk you through his many wins and defeats.

Includes

Entrance fees and skip-the-line access to the museums
Professional art historian guide
Private and small group tour options
Walking tour
Wheelchair tours available only on request

Gratuities (optional)
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Food and drinks, unless specified
Temporary exhibits

Not suitable for

People with mobility impairments

Covid-19 precautions

You must book this activity online because the ticket office is closed

Safety measures in place

All required protective equipment is provided
All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds

Meeting point

Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

Important information

What to bring

Passport or ID card

Not allowed

Luggage or large bags

Know before you go

This tour has a maximum of 8 guests per guide for a more intimate and personalized experience
The semi-private tour has a minimum requirement of 2 participants to run (an alternative date or full refund will be offered if the minimum is not met)
No large bags or suitcases are allowed
Moderate amount of walking is involved. The semi-private tour is not available for those with walking disabilities or wheelchair users
Occasional closures without previous warning from the museum management. When this occurs, guests will be provided with an appropriate alternative if the museum opening time is delayed more than 1 hour from the tour starting time. In these cases GetYourGuide is unable to provide refunds or discounts
Some specific rooms inside the museum are subject to rules requiring quiet or restricted right to speak inside. Some collections may vary along the year
Please provide full names, mobile phone number and email you can be reached on during your trip

Paris: Invalides Dome - Skip-the-Line Guided Museum Tour

Paris: Invalides Dome - Skip-the-Line Guided Museum Tour

About this activity

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This was an excellent tour.