Musée de l'Armée

Musée de l’Armée is France’s national military museum located within the Hôtel national des Invalides in Paris and is notable for its large collection of arms, uniforms and military art. The complex also houses the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte beneath the dome.

Large galleries present arms, armor, uniforms and objects tracing military history from the Middle Ages through the 20th century, arranged both chronologically and thematically. The domed church and Napoleon’s tomb are major single-site attractions, and the complex’s architecture and ceremonial spaces draw interest in addition to the museum displays.

The museum’s collections developed from earlier royal and national collections of armaments and military memorabilia and were consolidated into the present institution housed in the Invalides complex. The Hôtel des Invalides itself dates to the late 17th century, built as a residence and hospital for veterans under Louis XIV.

Set in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, the museum sits in the École Militaire / Invalides district on the Right Bank of the Seine, within central Paris and easily reached from other central landmarks.

• Napoleon's tomb: Napoleon Bonaparte's tomb is located under the gold-domed church in the Hôtel national des Invalides complex and is a focal point for many visitors.
• Historical setting: The museum is housed within the 17th-century Hôtel national des Invalides complex, originally built as a veterans' hospital and chapel under Louis XIV.

What to See #

• Dôme and tomb: The complex includes the Dôme des Invalides with Napoleon's tomb beneath the dome and several large exhibition galleries that display arms, uniforms and military artifacts from medieval to modern periods.
• Permanent galleries: Permanent galleries cover arms and armor, uniforms and military history, with displays arranged chronologically and by theme to illustrate changing warfare and military culture.
• Artillery and plans collections: Associated collections also include historical artillery, maps and models that document fortifications and campaigns in French history.