Verdict
Destinations
Attraction · Paris

Les Invalides & Napoleon's Tomb

A golden-domed monument complex housing Napoleon's tomb and France's main army museum.

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The verdict

Who it's worth it for

Great for
  • Travellers on a budget
  • Couples
  • Solo travellers
  • The genuinely curious
  • History & culture buffs
  • Photographers
Depends
  • If you've only got a day
  • Families with kids
Not for

—

Worth it for travellers on a budget, couples and solo travellers.

Why we say this

Insider secrets & local vibes

Napoleon Bonaparte lies in an open crypt directly beneath the gilded Dôme, in a burgundy quartzite sarcophagus on a green granite base — the emotional highlight of any visit.
franceguide.info
Hardouin-Mansart's dome peaks at 107 metres and is one of the most remarkable elements of the whole site, crowning the royal Saint-Louis chapel.
napoleon.org
The Army Museum holds more than 500,000 pieces spanning French military history from the Middle Ages to today, including one of the world's largest arms and armour collections.
napoleon.org
The first hour on weekday mornings feels much calmer than weekend afternoons — timing turns a crowded monument into a contemplative one.
franceguide.info
With 500,000 objects across centuries of military chronology, the museum can swallow hours and overwhelm anyone who only wanted the tomb and a few highlights.
franceguide.info
What it feels like

Reading the room, traveller by traveller

  • First-timers

    If you want Napoleon's story and the military timeline explained clearly, it delivers; enter from the Dôme side if the tomb is your priority.

    “Yes if you want Napoleon's story and the military chronology explained clearly”

    franceguide.info
  • For photos

    Beyond the arms collection, the Dôme church itself is a Baroque set-piece — de la Fosse's painted cupola above Napoleon's crypt is the architectural draw.

  • With kids

    The vast weapons-and-armour halls land well with kids, and the digital audio guide (free with the ticket) keeps the military history from going over their heads.

  • On a budget

    The standard ticket bundles a free digital audio guide, so bringing your own earphones gets you a guided experience without paying for a live tour.

  • As a couple

    Arrive in the first calm morning hour and let the gilded dome and quiet crypt set the tone before the tour groups arrive.

What people say

Straight from the reviews

“The tomb of Emperor Napoleon I is the highlight of a visit to Les Invalides.”

franceguide.info

“the dome of the Invalides... is one of the most remarkable elements of the site: peaking at 107 metres”

napoleon.org

“if you mainly want the Dôme and a few major objects, a self-guided visit with the digital audio guide is usually enough”

franceguide.info
Good to know

Before you go

Cost
€15 (free under 18 / EU under 26)
Time
1.5–2.5 hrs
Last verified
2026-06-17
Best time
The first hour on a weekday morning is noticeably calmer than weekend afternoons; a first-Friday evening opening runs until 10pm.
Getting there
Métro La Tour-Maubourg or Varenne (line 13), or Invalides (line 8, RER C) on the Esplanade side.
Hours
Roughly 10am–6pm daily, with a first-Friday late opening to 10pm; enter the Dôme side for the tomb, the Esplanade side for the galleries.
Booking
Standard ticket includes a free digital audio guide (bring earphones); buy online to save time and combine the Army Museum with the tomb.
Accessibility
The complex is large with some level changes; check accessible routes in advance, as the historic Dôme church and upper galleries can pose barriers.
Alternatives

If it's not your thing, try

a 5-minute walk away — pair them
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Independent — no pay-to-rank Graded for who you are Verified 2026-06-17How we grade →