Army Museum (Musee de l'Armee)

The Basics

The Army Museum was created with the joining of Musée d'Artillerie and Musée Historique de l'Armée in 1905. The institution, housed at Les Invalides, is home to one of the world’s most significant military art and history collections. Today, the museum comprises eight spaces including a courtyard with cannons; an area featuring armor and weapons from the 13th–17th centuries; the Charles de Gaulle Monument; and Napoleon’s Tomb.

The Army Museum can be visited independently and is a stop on select central Paris walking tour itineraries. Les Invalides can also be glimpsed from river cruises and hop-on hop-off bus tours. Purchase an admission ticket in advance for seamless entry.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Tickets for the Army Museum include access to other sites at Les Invalides, including the Museum of the Order of Liberation (Musée de l’Ordre de la Libération) and Museum of Relief Maps (Musée des Plans-Reliefs).

• Audio guides are available in eight languages and can be purchased for a small additional fee. A smartphone app is free to download and use.

• Most areas of the museum are accessible to visitors with mobility issues (excluding Napoleon’s Tomb); wheelchairs can also be rented.

How to Get There

There are numerous ways to access the Army Museum. Take Métro lines 8 or 13, or the RER C, to the Invalides stop, or take line 8 to La Tour-Maubourg. Bus routes 28, 63, 69, 80, 82, 83, 87, 92, and 93 serve the museum. The museum is accessible by foot, rental bike, car, or taxi.

When to Get There

The Army Museum is open daily. The museum is closed on Dec. 25, Jan. 1, and May 1. In summer, areas of the museum remain open until 9pm on Tuesday.

Treasures of the Collection

The Army Museum’s wide-ranging collection includes numerous priceless treasures, from a ceremonial necklace and pistols owned by Napoleon to a suit of armor worn by Francis I and an Enigma cryptography machine from World War II.

Ways to explore

The Army Museum is home to one of the world’s most significant military art and history collections. It comprises eight spaces, including a courtyard with cannons, an area featuring armor and weapons from the 13th to 17th centuries, the Charles de Gaulle Monument, and Napoleon’s Tomb within the Dome Church (Dome des Invalides).

The Army Museum can be visited independently, but it’s also a stop on select central Paris walking tour itineraries. Les Invalides can be glimpsed from river cruises and hop-on hop-off bus tours, too. Purchase an admission ticket in advance for seamless entry.

Accessibility

The museum is wheelchair accessible, with elevators and ramps throughout. Wheelchairs are available for loan at the ticket desk. Note that the Dome Church, where Napoleon’s tomb is located, is not wheelchair accessible.

Age limits

None, and entry is free for under 18s, although parental discretion is advised.

What to pack

Headphones (if you plan to use the museum’s multimedia guides), water bottle

What to wear

Smart-casual clothing, comfortable walking shoes

Not allowed

Flash photography, tripods, selfie sticks, large bags, backpacks, food and drinks in exhibition areas, touching the exhibits

Amenities

Restaurant, gift shop, restrooms, cloakroom, audio guides in multiple languages, benches

Address

Located between the Eiffel Tower and the Rodin Museum (Musée Rodin), the Army Museum isn’t exactly in the sticks. Beyond heading over when you’re already sightseeing or taking a walking tour, there are a few other transit options, too.

Driving

Navigating central Paris by car isn’t recommended. If you have to drive, there are paid parking options near the Musée d’Orsay, a 20-minute walk away.

Public transportation

Take metro line 8 to La Tour-Maubourg or line 13 to Invalides or Varenne stations. RER Line C serves Invalides station, too.

Best times to visit

Arrive earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the midday crowds.

Best days to visit

Tuesday through Thursday typically attract fewer visitors, while weekends tend to be the busiest.

Best months to visit

Late September to mid-November and January to March offer the best “museum” experience in Paris, as this is the height of the off-season with fewer tourists.

Special events

Check out the museum’s temporary exhibitions throughout the year, plus annual events like Night of Museums (in May), which brings extended evening hours and special programming.