Hotel National des Invalides

Easily recognizable in the Parisian landscape thanks to the gilded decorations of its famous dome, the Hôtel National des Invalides is an exceptional monument. Visitors can explore French history through the collections of the Army Museum and the tomb of Napoleon I. In the 17th century, Louis XIV commanded the largest army in Europe. Recognizing that soldiers were the primary guarantors of French greatness, the Sun King decided to build a complex to house those who had served in the royal army. The Cité des Invalides opened its doors to veterans in 1674. Serving simultaneously as a hospice, barracks, convent, hospital, and factory, the Hôtel was a veritable city governed by a system that was both military and religious. More than 4,000 residents lived within its walls. Today, the Hôtel continues its original purpose by housing the National Institution of the Invalides. A cultural center where every visitor experiences French history. From the moment they enter the main courtyard, visitors admire an artillery collection spanning 200 years of history, then make their way to the entrances of the various museums, including the Army Museum, which houses one of the most exceptional collections of military history in Europe, if not the world. A civic center where every citizen feels at home. The Hôtel National des Invalides also embodies the emblematic values ​​of the Republic through national, civil, and military tributes, military parades, and farewell ceremonies.