Les Invalides: Napoleon & French Military History Semi-Private Tour
Enjoy a 2.5-hour semi-private guided visit to perhaps the most spectacular building on the Paris skyline, the incredible gold-domed Invalides. Covered with 26lbs of real gold, the Invalides is home to the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte and the fascinating museum of the army, tracing the history of the French armies and their allies from the jousts of kings, through invasion and resistance to the Normandy landings of WWII.
Options
Napoleon and Invalides Tour
What's included in Les Invalides: Napoleon & French Military History Semi-Private Tour
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Musee de l’Armee des Invalides
Commissioned by King Louis XIV and designed in the 17th century by Jules Hardouin Mansart (the same architect who designed the incredible Hall of Mirrors in Versailles) the Invalides was originally built as a hospital and home for wounded and retired soldiers returning from the king’s wars. The king knew that he owed his glories to his troops, so he ordered a most magnificent building for them. The Invalides is also home to the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte and the fascinating museum of the army, tracing the history of the French armies and their allies from the jousts of kings, through invasion and resistance to the Normandy landings of WWII. Nowadays you will still find veterans living there, and the gold-domed Cathedral of St. Louis is the seat of the Bishop of the Armies. Your expert guide will take you on a historical journey. Hear of the exploits of General Bonaparte and learn how he became Emperor Napoleon, and hear how two British pilots were hidden in this very structure during La Resistance under German occupation in the 1940s.
Cathedrale Saint-Louis des Invalides
Then visit the breathtaking tomb of the most famous general in European history. After crowning himself Emperor in 1804, Napoleon went on to conquer huge swathes of Europe, until his final defeat at Waterloo. Exiled until his death in 1821, his body was returned to France and placed here in the enormous sarcophagus built specially for him. His son is also buried next to him, his body brought to Paris by Hitler in 1940. Join your guide on this compelling visit to the Invalides, and journey through war, defeat, resistance, and glory.
Inclusions
- Visit the final resting place of Napoleon Bonaparte and learn about his extraordinary life.
- All tickets and entrance fees are included.
- Enjoy a more personal experience with small groups of no more than 8 guests.
- Experience a 2.5 hour guided tour of Les Invalides led by an accredited guide
- Explore the museum’s extensive collection detailing his military campaigns and strategic genius
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities (optional)
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your departure time
- Infants aged 0-3 years are free of charge and do not require a booking
- You can cancel your tour up to 24 hours prior to departure and receive a full refund. Please note that refunds are not possible for missed tours.
- If you plan to arrive at the meeting point by taxi, please ensure you leave yourselves plenty of time, it can often take a considerable amount of time to find a taxi in Paris!
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- Meet your guide in front of the Café de l'Esplanade, 52 rue Fabert, 75007 Paris. The nearest metro is La Tour Maubourg (line 8).
End Points
- Your tour will end at the Invalides Museum
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
• Please meet your guide 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the tour. Note the meeting point is not at the entrance to the Invalides. • Please note this voucher does not give you access to the Invalides Museum, your guide will have the entry tickets with them at the meeting point. • Please present your booking voucher on your cell phone to your guide at the meeting point. You do not need to print it.
