Tomb of Napoleon, tomb of Napoléon Bonaparte at Les Invalides, Paris
The Tomb of Napoleon is a monumental crypt beneath the famous dome of the Invalides in Paris. The red quartzite sarcophagus rests on a green granite base, surrounded by twelve large Victory sculptures and a mosaic showing scenes of Napoleon's major battles on the floor.
The building was founded in 1670 by King Louis XIV as a home for wounded soldiers and later received the famous dome, built between 1677 and 1707 by architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart. Napoleon's remains were brought here in 1840 from the island of Saint Helena and placed in the final tomb in 1861.
The name refers to the gilded dome that has defined Paris's skyline for centuries. Today it functions as a memorial where visitors can see the graves of important French military leaders, including Napoleon's brothers in the side chapels.
The tomb is located in the 7th district at Rue de Grenelle and is easily reached by public transport via Metro line 8 or RER line C to the Invalides station. The site is open daily from morning until evening, with extended hours on certain Friday evenings each month.
The sarcophagus actually contains five coffins made of different materials like iron, wood, lead, and ebony, stacked in a structure that protects Napoleon's remains multiple times over. Above his grave stands an inscription from his will stating his wish for his ashes to rest on the banks of the Seine among the people of France.
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