Les Invalides, Military complex in 7th arrondissement, France
The golden-domed building covers 13 hectares and houses multiple museums, military institutions, and a church within its limestone walls.
Louis XIV ordered construction in 1670 to provide housing and care for wounded soldiers returning from his numerous military campaigns.
The Army Museum within the complex exhibits 500,000 artifacts, including weapons, uniforms, paintings, and military equipment from different periods.
The site contains Napoleon's tomb, two churches, multiple exhibition spaces, and remains an active center for disabled veterans of the French military.
The central courtyard displays a collection of French bronze cannons, with intricate decorations cast into their barrels dating from the 17th century.
Location: Invalides
Inception: 1671
Architects: Libéral Bruant, Jules Hardouin-Mansart
Official opening: 1687
Architectural style: classical architecture, baroque architecture
Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible
Address: 129 Rue de Grenelle 75007 Paris
Phone: +33810113399
Website: https://invalides.fr
GPS coordinates: 48.85500,2.31250
Latest update: November 14, 2025 07:19
Paris rewards visitors who venture beyond the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame. The Musée d'Orsay houses one of the world's finest Impressionist collections, while the Centre Pompidou showcases contemporary art in its distinctive inside-out building. Below ground, the Catacombs wind through tunnels lined with the remains of six million Parisians. Sainte-Chapelle preserves 15 towering windows of 13th-century stained glass that fill the Gothic chapel with colored light. Markets like Marché d'Aligre bring together fresh produce, vintage furniture, and antiques under one roof. The city's neighborhoods and waterways offer equally rewarding discoveries. Le Marais combines medieval architecture with boutiques, galleries, and restaurants in its narrow streets. The Coulée Verte René-Dumont transforms an abandoned railway viaduct into an elevated garden path. Along the Canal Saint-Martin, tree-lined banks invite afternoon walks and waterside gatherings. Père Lachaise Cemetery serves as both a park and the burial ground for writers, artists, and musicians. The Musée Rodin displays sculptures in an 18th-century mansion surrounded by gardens, while the Musée Jacquemart-André presents European masterworks in an elegant private residence. Rue Crémieux's pastel-painted facades create one of the city's most photographed corners.
Military buildings from different countries demonstrate the evolution of defense structures and command centers across centuries. This collection includes medieval castles, early modern fortifications, barracks, command posts, and contemporary military installations. Each structure documents the military strategies, technological advances, and historical events of its era. The sites range from European fortress systems such as Vauban fortifications in France to Asian defensive walls and American military bases from various periods. Many of these structures played critical roles in wars and conflicts and are now accessible as monuments or museums. They provide insights into military architecture, engineering practices, and the strategic importance of their locations.
This route covers two millennia of Parisian construction history, showing the architectural layers of the city. It includes Roman remains such as the first-century Lutetia arenas, medieval structures, classical palaces, and modern constructions from the 19th and 20th centuries. Each location documents specific building phases and technical developments in the French capital. The selection ranges from well-known landmarks to less visited historical sites. The 1889 Eiffel Tower stands alongside Roman thermal bath fragments and medieval churches. This collection allows visitors to trace urban development from the ancient settlement of Lutetia to the modern metropolis and compare different architectural styles.
Musée Rodin
246 m
Dôme des Invalides
20 m
Musée de l'Armée
231 m
Cathédrale Saint-Louis-des-Invalides
0 m
Hôtel Biron
246 m
Musée des Plans-Reliefs
171 m
Musée de l'ordre de la Libération
115 m
Historial Charles de Gaulle
217 m
Jardin de l'Intendant
108 m
Cour d'honneur des Invalides
163 m
Jardin de l'Abondance
67 m
Statue de Gribeauval
208 m
Café - Restaurant L'augustine
257 m
Jules Hardouin-Mansart
80 m
Jules Hardouin Mansart
78 m
Tribune organ of the Hotel des Invalides
0 m
The Thinker
231 m
Marshal Gallieni
154 m
Église du Dôme de l'Hôtel des Invalides de 7e arrondissement de Paris
28 m
Marshal Fayolle
158 m
Tomb of Joseph Bonaparte
4 m
Jardin du Musée Rodin
238 m
Musée historique de l'Armée
0 m
Tomb of Napoleon II of France
5 m
Tomb of Napoleon
27 m
Memorial to the Victims of Terrorism
169 m
Tomb of Hubert Lyautey
4 m
Reviews
Real people, real opinions — but not verified.
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes