Paris · 7th arrondissement · Museum and monument

Hôtel des Invalides: Napoleon's Tomb, Museum and Tickets

The gilded Dôme is one of Paris's most recognisable landmarks. Inside the Invalides complex, Napoleon's Tomb and the Musée de l'Armée make this a substantial museum visit — not just a quick photo stop.

By the AllTrips Editorial Team · September 28, 2026

Hôtel des Invalides at a glance

Area: 7th arrondissement. Allow: around 2–3 hours for the tomb and museum highlights. Entry: ticket needed for the museum and Napoleon's Tomb. Nearby: Musée Rodin, Pont Alexandre III and Champ de Mars. Check the official ticket office for current dates, entry conditions and inclusions before booking.

Les Invalides is a group of buildings rather than one room or a single museum. The vast façade, courtyard and golden dome are landmarks in their own right. The Musée de l'Armée occupies several parts of the complex; the Dôme shelters Napoleon's Tomb. If you are short on time, decide whether your priority is the tomb, the collection galleries, or both, so you can choose an appropriate ticket and set aside enough time.

What should you see inside?

The Dôme des Invalides is the focal point for most first-time visitors. Beneath its gilded roof sits Napoleon I's monumental tomb. Look up as well as down: the scale of the dome and its interior decoration are central to the experience. The setting is solemn and grand, quite different from viewing its exterior from the street.

The Musée de l'Armée traces French and wider military history across armour, weapons and later conflict galleries. Its breadth means you do not have to see everything on one visit. The same official Museum and Napoleon's Tomb ticket currently lists access to the Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération, Musée des Plans-Reliefs and temporary exhibitions; check what is open on your chosen date rather than assuming every gallery is available.

Which ticket should you buy?

Start with the official Musée de l'Armée ticket office. Its Museum and Napoleon's Tomb option lists the Dôme, permanent collections, temporary exhibitions and the two other museums mentioned above. The provider's site is the place to confirm live availability, any eligibility for reduced or free entry, and the precise conditions. Do not confuse a museum visit with a separate after-hours show, guided tour or nearby attraction package.

The Tiqets button is an affiliate link: AllTrips may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It opens a list of separate products, not one all-inclusive ticket.

Planning your visit

Check the museum's own website before travel for current entrances, opening arrangements and any exhibition closures. Les Invalides occupies a large site, and the Dôme and collections are not the same stop: allow time to orient yourself rather than scheduling the visit as a brief pass-through. The courtyard is a helpful landmark for understanding how the complex is arranged.

If your interest is primarily Napoleon's Tomb, choose a product that explicitly includes access to the Dôme. If you want to see military collections too, the official combined museum-and-tomb visit makes the comparison straightforward. Prices and opening hours can change, so this guide does not publish a fixed tariff or promise a particular queue length.

Why was Les Invalides built?

Louis XIV founded Les Invalides in the seventeenth century as a home and hospital for veterans. Its formal courts and monumental church express the scale of the royal project. Napoleon's remains were brought here in the nineteenth century, making the Dôme an enduring place of commemoration. The site still has a military association today, while its museums make this history accessible to visitors.

Hôtel des Invalides in photos

What is nearby?

Musée Rodin is close enough to consider if you want a second museum visit, but its entry arrangements are separate unless a combination product explicitly includes it. Pont Alexandre III offers a memorable view toward the golden dome from the Seine. The free Champ de Mars and ticketed Eiffel Tower lie farther west. Locate them all on the Paris attractions map.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a ticket for Napoleon's Tomb?

Yes, the Dôme and Napoleon's Tomb are part of the ticketed museum visit. The Musée de l'Armée's standard Museum and Napoleon's Tomb ticket covers the Dôme and permanent collections; confirm current inclusions when booking.

Is Les Invalides free to visit?

Do not confuse seeing the building from the surrounding public streets with entering its museums and Napoleon's Tomb. Museum access is ticketed; check the official ticket office for any specific free-admission categories or events.

What does the official Museum and Napoleon's Tomb ticket include?

The museum's ticket office lists the permanent collections, Dôme, temporary exhibitions, Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération and Musée des Plans-Reliefs under its Museum and Napoleon's Tomb ticket. Check the live booking page for any exceptions or changes.

What does the Tiqets link offer?

It opens a Les Invalides destination page with several separately priced choices, including museum-and-tomb entry, tours, special evening experiences and combinations. Pick a specific product and check exactly what it includes; the link is not itself an all-access ticket.

How long should I allow?

Around two to three hours suits a visit to the Dôme and a selection of museum galleries. Allow more time if you want to explore the collections in depth or see an exhibition.

Official sources

• Musée de l'Armée — official visitor information and collections
• Musée de l'Armée official ticket office — live ticket inclusions and dates

Reviewed September 2026. Admission, access and exhibition arrangements may change; confirm them with the museum before visiting.