Napoleon and French Military History: Invalides and Dome Church Tour
2h30
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About this activity
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Musee de l’Armee des Invalides, 129 rue de Grenelle Hôtel National des Invalides, 75007 Paris France
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.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Cathedrale Saint-Louis des Invalides, 53 boulevard de la Tour Maubourg, 75007 Paris France
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.
Duration: 1 hour
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Musee de l’Armee des Invalides, 129 rue de Grenelle Hôtel National des Invalides, 75007 Paris France
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.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Cathedrale Saint-Louis des Invalides, 53 boulevard de la Tour Maubourg, 75007 Paris France
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.
Duration: 1 hour
Included
- 2.5 hour guided tour of Les Invalides
- Main courtyard, military museum and artillery collection
- Cathedral of Saint-Louis des Invalides
- Dôme des Invalides, tomb of Napoleon I
- Fully accredited local guide
- Limited groups of 20 people or fewer
- Headsets where appropriate so you can always hear your guide
- Entry/Admission - Musee de l’Armee des Invalides
- Entry/Admission - Cathedrale Saint-Louis des Invalides
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Note that increased security measures may affect lines. However due to our Skip the Line privilege, we do have access to shortcuts to the security check
- Please arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to your departure time
Features
Tourism
90%
Cultural
75%
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