In the heart of the 7th arrondissement of Paris, the esplanade des Invalides marks the start of the road cycling time trial and the finish of the Olympic men's and women's marathon and the Marathon pour Tous in front of the monument for the Paris 2024 Games. The esplanade will also host the Olympic and Paralympic archery events promising a unique experience for spectators and athletes alike.
Start the walk with a visit to the Musée Rodin, celebrating the work of the great French sculptor who created the famous statue Le Penseur. Not far from the museum is another treasure trove of Parisian heritage: the Hôtel des Invalides and its gilded dome overlooking the Tomb of Napoleon 1st and home to the Musée de l'Armée. Continue along the route and discover the refinement of the Pont Alexandre III, the stroll along the banks of the Seine and the many unique and sometimes unusual monuments and places in this elegant district of Paris. A varied stroll that will amaze and surprise you.
© Paris je t'aime - Jacques Lebar
In the Hôtel Biron, built in the 18th century and the former home of Auguste Rodin, discover the collections of the musée Rodin devoted to the works of the famous French sculptor. On a permanent tour divided into 18 rooms bathed in light, the creativity of Rodin is revealed through bronze and marble sculptures, casts and sketches. Admire the many masterpieces that sprang from the artist's imagination, such as L'Âge d'airain and Le Baiser. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum offers temporary exhibitions and a rich cultural programme. Round off your visit with a stroll through the museum's vast 3-hectare wooded garden, a haven of peace in which to contemplate the artist's monumental sculptures, such as La Porte des Enfers and the famous Penseur.
© Anne-Sylvaine Marre Noel
Housed in the Hôtel national des Invalides, the Musée de l'Armée offers a vast panorama of French military history. The tour, organised in chronological order, is a delight for history buffs. Visitors will discover weapons, costumes, insignia, works of art and symbolic objects from prehistoric times to the present day. Among the museum's treasures, don't miss the lion armour of François 1er, the portrait of Napoléon 1er on the imperial throne painted by Ingres, or the great necklace of the Legion of Honour of Napoléon 1er.
© Paris je t'aime
The fabulous gold-covered Dôme des Invalides, built in 1677, stands 107 metres high. It has housed the Tomb of Napoleon 1st since 1861. The Tomb, 4 metres long and 2 metres wide, was built by the architect Louis Visconti in red quartzite. It is set in an open crypt 6 metres deep and 23 metres in diameter. The Tomb is surrounded by twelve white marble statues of women, known as Victories, and ten marble bas-reliefs illustrating the Emperor's reign.
© Paris je t'aime - Assemblée Nationale
Here you are in front of the impressive façade of the Palais Bourbon, home to the Assemblée Nationale, France's major political institution. It is here that the deputies pass laws and exercise control over the actions of the French government. The façade of the Palais Bourbon was designed by the architect Bernard Poyet in the early 19th century under Napoléon 1er. Admire its vast colonnade and the statues of the Greek goddesses Athena and Themis and four ministers, which adorn the entrance to the monument.
© Jean-Baptiste Gurliat
At the level of the Pont de l'Alma, discover a curiosity: the Musée des Égouts de Paris. This underground museum takes you on a tour of the bowels of the capital and reveals the history of this astonishing city under the city, built in the 19th century to collect wastewater and rainwater and purify Paris.
© Sophie Lloyd
Before entering the Musée Maillol, admire the majestic fontaine des Quatre-Saisons created by the sculptor Edme Bouchardon between 1739 and 1745. Founded by Dina Vierny, muse and collaborator of Aristide Maillol, the museum houses works by the famous French sculptor and artist. The museum also hosts renowned temporary exhibitions devoted to the art of the 20th and 21st centuries.
© Elodie Gutbrod
[The Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Médaille Miraculeuse] (https://parisjetaime.com/eng/culture/chapelle-notre-dame-de-la-medaille-miraculeuse-p998) is one of the most popular places of worship in Paris. In 1830, the Virgin Mary appeared here in a medal to Catherine Labouré, a sister of the Daughters of Charity. Since then, pilgrims have flocked to the chapel to pay their respects.
© Stéphanie Rivoal
Feel like shopping in the temple of luxury? Head for the Parisian department stores' le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. Founded in 1852, it is a must-visit upmarket address dedicated to fashion, beauty and the art of living. Located on the corner of rue de Sèvres and du Bac, it boasts a Hausmann-style facade embellished with rotundas and domes. The metal and glass architecture includes remarkable skylights creating shafts of natural light. Take advantage of your visit to La Grande Épicerie de Paris, next door to Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche. It offers a refined selection of the best gastronomic products.
© Fluctuart
Moored on the banks of the Seine, next to the Pont des Invalides, Fluctuart is a floating urban art centre, all bay windows. It features a permanent exhibition and a temporary exhibition showcasing street art in a festive atmosphere. Access is free. Upstairs, a 300 m² rooftop invites you to sit back and have a drink or eat al fresco.
The 7th arrondissement is a treasure trove of monuments, museums, parks, fine dining and exclusive boutiques.
