How busy is Les Invalides?
With about 1.2 million visitors a year, the Musée de l'Armée is one of the world's largest military museums, spread over a huge complex, so the galleries seldom feel crowded. The pinch points are the Dôme church, where everyone heads to see Napoleon's red quartzite sarcophagus, and the ticket desks when coach groups arrive in late morning. School holidays bring families, and Paris's big events (Bastille Day, Heritage Days) bring crowds to the Esplanade.
Crowds by time of day
Crowds by month
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Tickets
First Monday of the month
Only the Dôme (Napoleon's Tomb), Saint-Louis Cathedral, temporary exhibitions and the courtyard's artillery are open, so check the date if you want the full museum.
How to visit without the crowds
- Book online and arrive for 10 am, entering from Place Vauban (Dôme side) or the Esplanade.
- See Napoleon's Tomb first in the Dôme before groups arrive.
- Cross to the Cour d'Honneur and the Saint-Louis des Invalides cathedral (soldiers' church).
- Choose your galleries: the World Wars wing is the most popular; the arms and armour collection is quieter.
- Visit the Plans-Reliefs (scale models of fortified towns) on the top floor, rarely busy.
- Finish with the Order of the Liberation museum on WWII resistance.
A short history
Louis XIV founded the Hôtel des Invalides in 1670 as a home and hospital for wounded and elderly soldiers, and it still cares for veterans today. The Dôme church was completed in 1706. In 1789, revolutionaries seized weapons here before storming the Bastille. Napoleon's remains were brought back from Saint Helena in 1840 and placed in the tomb in 1861; his brothers and son, as well as marshals such as Foch, are also buried here.
Best (and worst) times to visit
- Best: 10 am on a weekday, tomb first.
- Evening: first Friday of the month, 6-10 pm.
- Worst: 11 am-3 pm in July and August.
- Check: the first Monday of the month, when galleries are closed.
🔑 Free skip-the-line hack
Go when it’s quiet: see live crowds and the hourly forecast.
Hour-by-hour crowds, live status and weather: daily crowd forecast for Hôtel des Invalides →
Plans by visitor type
History buffs
A full morning: tomb, World Wars galleries and the Order of the Liberation.
Families
Under 18s are free; kids love the armour and cannons.
Art and gardens
Combine with the Rodin Museum next door. Musée Rodin guide.
One day in the 7th
Invalides at 10 am, Rodin after lunch, Eiffel Tower at sunset. Eiffel Tower guide.
Getting there
129 Rue de Grenelle (Esplanade side) or Place Vauban (Dôme side), 7th arrondissement.
Accessibility and families
Most of the museum is accessible with lifts, and the Dôme has step-free access via a side entrance; ask staff. Wheelchairs can be borrowed. Under 18s are free, and the armour and model fortresses are big hits with children.
Mistakes to avoid
- Visiting on the first Monday expecting the full museum.
- Leaving the tomb until midday.
- Trying to see every gallery in one visit.
- Missing the Plans-Reliefs on the top floor.
- Forgetting under-18 and EU under-26 free entry.
Is Les Invalides worth it?
Yes: Napoleon's Tomb under the Dôme is one of Paris's most impressive interiors, and the museum is far less crowded than the Louvre. Go at 10 am and see the tomb first.
Check today's crowd forecast for Les Invalides.
FAQs
How much is Les Invalides?
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About €17 for adults, covering the Army Museum and Napoleon's Tomb.
Is Les Invalides free for children?
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Yes, under 18s are free, as are EU residents under 26.
What are the opening hours?
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Daily 10 am-6 pm, with evening openings on the first Friday of the month.
Is Napoleon's Tomb included?
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Yes, in the standard ticket.
Is it included in the Paris Museum Pass?
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Yes.
What is the best time to visit?
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Heading to Hôtel des Invalides?
See how busy it is right now and the quietest hours for your date, then walk in when the line is short.
Check live crowds →Sources
How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 29 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
