Hôtel national des Invalides

In 1670, no foundation existed to house wounded and homeless veterans who had fought for France. Louis XIV, who was anxious about what would happen to soldiers that had served during his numerous campaigns, decided to build the Hôtel Royal des Invalides. Constructed from 1671 to 1676 by Libéral Bruant, then by Jules Hardouin-Mansart and Robert de Cotte, it is one the most prestigious monuments in Paris. Today, under the Ministry of Defence but also occupied by numerous organizations that are part of other ministries, the Hôtel National des Invalides still retains its original function as a hospital and hospice for badly injured and disabled war veterans. As well as the Musée de l'Armée, it comprises the Musée des Plans-Reliefs and the Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération as two churches: the Eglise du Dôme, which houses the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte designed by Visconti in 1843, and the Eglise Saint-Louis des Invalides. During the second half of the 20th century, the entire site of the Hôtel National des Invalides was opened up to the public after small buildings were knocked down and a ditch created around the site. In 1981, a huge restoration project was undertaken at the Hôtel National des Invalides under the instigation of an interdepartmental commission co-directed by the Ministries of Defence and Culture to restore this exceptional site to its former glory.

Opening times and prices

Gratuit pour les visiteurs en situation de handicap et leur accompagnateur.

Under 18s.

Free entry for under 26s from within the European Union.
Free for disabled visitors and an accompanying person, jobseekers, French and foreign soldiers, journalists.

Museum ticket (permanent collections, Dome church, tomb of Napoleon, temporary exhibition, Museum of the Order of the Liberation and museum of relief maps): full price, €15 ; TR, €12.

Booking necessary for groups (from 10 people, €9 per person): email [email protected]
To book guided tours for groups (€12.90 per person) call +33 (0) 8 25 05 44 05 or email [email protected]

Tuesday, until 9pm (for the East wing, the Dome church and the tomb of Napoleon I) during the temporary exhibition period.

Daily, 10am to 6pm. Tuesday, until 9pm (for the East wing, the Dome church and the tomb of Napoleon I) during the temporary exhibition period.

• Ascension Day
• 15 August
• Easter Monday
• Easter
• 14 July
• 8 May
• 11 November
• Whit Monday

• Free for young people and children
• Free
• Late opening

Services

• Gardens
• Member of Paris Museum Pass
• Restaurant
• Shop/bookshop
• Educational activities
• Visitor support

German, English, Chinese, Spanish, Italian, Japanese

Activities for children available. Information and bookings on [email protected]

'La Carré des Invalides' is open every day from 9am to 6.30pm (1 April-31 October) and from 9am to 5.30pm (1 November-31 March). For more information, call + 33 (0)1 44 42 50 71 or email [email protected]

The entrance ticket includes access to the Musée de l'Armée, Napoleon's Tomb, the Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération and the Musée des plans-reliefs.

Audioguides available in English, French, Italian, German, Russian, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese and Japanese. €6, under 26s: €4.

Classic

Disability

Electric or manual wheelchairs, guide dogs and canes with tips enable visitors to access all the spaces open to the public with the exception of the Église du Dôme, inaccessible to people in wheelchairs.

Loan of wheelchairs

Paris for people with disabilities