Overview
From the Sun King, Louis XIV, to the infamous Napoleon Bonaparte, France’s military history is filled with tales of ambition, conquest, and defeat. Explore these epic stories in the Musée de l’Armée, housed in the magnificent Hôtel des Invalides. Join us for a private, 2-hour guided tour beginning in the grand courtyard of the Invalides. Discover the building’s 17th-century origins under Louis XIV and visit the cathedral built to honor his troops. From there, delve into the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte. Learn about his bold military campaigns and the far-reaching impact of his political reforms, including his authorship of the Napoleonic Code—a legal framework that remains the foundation of European law. The tour concludes with a visit to Napoleon’s monumental tomb, resting beneath the golden dome of the Invalides—one of Paris’s most striking landmarks.
What you will be doing
See the monumental resting place of France's Emperor, and learn about his enduring legacy.
Spanning from the reign of Louis XIV to the French Second Empire.
Built by Louis XIV to honor his troops.
A triumph of French Baroque architecture.
Where we'll meet
🧭 Meeting/pick-up point: Invalides World War Museums
🗺️ Instructions: Meet your guide outside the main gate of Invalides. Please arrive 10 minutes before starting time. Your guide will reach out to you the morning of the tour for any URGENT matters. Please reply to their message. Their contact details will be sent to your email by the morning of your tour.
Things to know
Accessibility:
Children friendly
Fitness requirement
Moderate fitness level
Tour Language
English
License requirement
Passport/ID
Additional information:
Max group size is 8.
Children under a 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
No large bags or suitcases are allowed inside the museum, only handbags or small thin backpacks are allowed through security.
The Musée de l'Armée may experience occasional closures without prior notice from museum management. In the event of an unannounced closure or delayed opening exceeding one hour past the scheduled tour time, we will offer guests an appropriate alternative. Refunds or discounts are not available in these cases.
Inclusion ✅
Tour guide
Entrance ticket
Exclusion ❌
Pick up and drop off transport
Gratuities
About your host
Babylon Tours ParisYou’ve seen it in the movies, but what do you really know about Paris? We’ll share its stories, secrets, and scandals with you while exploring all of the places you won’t find on your own. Wander the streets and museums of the world’s most popular city on a small group or private tour of Paris.
For every trip booked, Kodama Travel donates £1 to Just One Tree to restore our forests and the ocean.