Musée des Plans-Reliefs, Military model museum at Les Invalides, Paris, France
The Musée des Plans-Reliefs exhibits detailed three-dimensional models of fortified cities and strategic military sites within the Hôtel des Invalides complex.
The collection began in 1668 under Louis XIV's minister of war, who commissioned scale models of fortified cities to assist with military planning and strategy.
The museum preserves 112 intricate relief maps that demonstrate French military engineering and architectural techniques from the 17th through 19th centuries.
The museum opens daily from 10:00 to 17:00 during winter months and extends to 18:00 in summer, with wheelchair access throughout the exhibition spaces.
Twenty-eight scale models display fortifications along French coasts and borders, with some measuring up to 30 square meters in size.
Location: 7th arrondissement of Paris
Inception: 1942
Opening Hours: October-March: Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:00; April-September: Monday-Sunday 10:00-18:00; Monday[1] off; January 1 off; May 1 off; November 1 off; December 25 off
Phone: +33145519505
Website: http://museedesplansreliefs.culture.fr
GPS coordinates: 48.85646,2.31324
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:41
Paris offers numerous museums away from major tourist crowds, presenting specialized collections. These institutions focus on diverse subjects including Asian art, mineralogy, historical urban planning, and contemporary photography. The exhibitions provide detailed insights into specific fields and historical developments. Visitors find space for focused observation without crowded halls. Collections range from archaeological finds to technical models and artistic works from various periods. These museums complement the city's cultural offerings through their thematic diversity and scholarly approach. They provide opportunities to explore specific areas of interest and discover lesser covered aspects of the Parisian cultural landscape.
Paris has many themed museums that go beyond the usual tourist circuits. The underground sewer system has been open for visits since the 19th century, allowing visitors to see the technical installations that revolutionized urban hygiene. The fan museum houses over 2,500 pieces from the Renaissance to today, explaining traditional manufacturing techniques. The counterfeiting museum compares authentic products with copies to highlight issues of intellectual property. The Parisian collections cover a variety of fields: Asian art at the Guimet Museum with 45,000 objects from the Neolithic to the 20th century, African and Oceanian cultures at Quai Branly, fairground artifacts from the 19th century at Arts Forains, old automata and magic devices from past centuries. The Museum of Hunting and Nature is housed in a 17th-century townhouse and combines antique weapons with modern designs. These institutions offer unique insights into the social, technical, and artistic history of Paris.
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