Musée de l'Armée, Military museum in Les Invalides, Paris, France
The Musée de l'Armée is a military museum housed in the baroque Les Invalides complex containing extensive collections of weapons, armor, uniforms, and historical documents. The galleries spread across multiple floors and present a comprehensive view of French military development from medieval times onward.
The museum was created in 1905 through the merger of two separate institutions: the Musée d'Artillerie founded in 1795 after the French Revolution, and the Musée Historique de l'Armée. This combination brought together major military collections that had been growing independently for over a century.
The museum displays how France equipped and trained its soldiers across different eras. You can trace the evolution of weapons and gear from medieval times through the modern period.
The museum is open most days and mornings tend to be less crowded than afternoons. Comfortable shoes are essential since you will navigate multiple floors and walk through long gallery spaces.
The main courtyard displays over 60 classical bronze cannons and howitzers collected since the French Revolution, forming one of Europe's largest artillery assemblies. These pieces come from different periods and illustrate the evolution of military firepower.
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