Les Invalides
- Address: 129 rue de Grenelle, Paris
- Hours: Open daily 10am - 5pm, except Jan 1, May 1, Nov 1, and Dec 25
- Admission: € 9 per adult
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Cemetery,
Chapel,
Church / Cathedral,
Monument - Historical,
Monument - Military,
Museum
Les Invalides began as the army hospital, initiated by Louis XIV in 1670 and finished six years later. These days, it is a complex of buildings including a collection of museums, a hospital and retirement home for war veterans, and a chapel which is a burial place of war heroes including Napoleon Bonaparte. The museums include Contemporary History, Maps, as well as Military History.
As is the way with French Kings and their projects, a simple idea to build a place for war veterans to retire grew into a massive and grand statement with fifteen courtyards, a chapel - the Eglise Saint-Louis des Invalides, and then a royal chapel - Eglise du Dome. Based on St Peter's Basilica in Rome, this latter became the prime example of French Baroque architecture.
Latest Reviews
Review by Sanjay G, October 2012
Doing what: Paris Pass
This pass is the ticket to joy, convenience and ease. It made your trip to Paris memorable. Right from the time we reached Hard rock cafe, where it took a few seconds and the passes were in our hands. Job well done. we zipped for our tours and multiples hops on and off visits to museums, Invalides, Louvre, Notre Dame and many other place. The roof top trips was awesome, description so clear. My wife and self had waited for 21 years to visit Paris and let me tell PARIS PASS simply made this trip memorable, simply awesome. PARIS and PARIS PASS we both love you.
Review by Mary M F, May 2012
Doing what: Paris Shuttle Arrival Transfer: Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
The conceirge at our hotel made the call for us. The driver arrived at the exact time. When our driver saw that I was attempting to take a photo of Invalides, he rolled the window down and took the photo for me. It was perfect. The streets of Paris were really crowded, but we arrived at CDG on time. I appreciated that our online purchase was in US$ so we had no international transaction charge on our credit card.
Review by Angela G, May 2012
Doing what: Skip the Line: Paris Louvre Museum Guided Tour
It was well worth the money and we ahd a great guide. She showed us the highlights and allowed us within reason the time we needed at each piece. Our printed e mail said we had to confirm our tour 24 hours before which we were not able to do (phone no. didn't work) so we were scared the tour might be invalid, but it was not a problem. Also it wasn't clear where tour went from, we figured out it went from rue invalides and after talks with taxi driver ascertained that was right beside Louvre. Definitely recommended. I think Nona was our guide, - excellent.
Practical Info
Les Invalides is easy to reach. Take metro line 8 to Invalides, or 13 to Varenne or Saint Francoise-Xavier or RER C to Invalides station.
