Is Les Invalides worth visiting?
What works
- One ticket opens four museums and a royal church
- The Dôme is a masterpiece of French classical architecture
- A large part of the site is free to enter
- The armour hall works with every kind of visitor
- The quarter, with Rodin and the Champ-de-Mars, fills out the day
Worth knowing
- It is a military museum: that is not a neutral subject
- The scale surprises people and fatigue comes quickly
- No commentary is included in the ticket
- With no interest in military history, two hours can feel long
Who it is a yes for
For anyone coming for Napoleon, obviously: there is only one place in the world to see that tomb. For lovers of architecture: the great courtyard and the Dôme are, with the Val-de-Grâce and Versailles, French classicism at its most complete. For families with children of seven to fourteen: the armour, the cannon, the crypt. And for anyone who likes strange objects: the relief maps have no equivalent.
Who it is a no for
If military history leaves you cold, if you have one day in Paris and you are weighing this against the Orsay or the Louvre, then no: go elsewhere. You can still walk through the great courtyard for nothing and look at the Dôme from the esplanade, which takes twenty minutes and gives you most of the architectural pleasure. See the free-access page.
Book your entry
The ticket below opens the Dôme, the tomb and the four museums, for the whole day.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth it with little time?
Yes for the Dôme alone, which takes an hour. The full museum needs more.
What if I am not interested in military history?
Walk through the great courtyard, which is free, and keep your day for another museum. That is honest advice.