Dome des Invalides, Paris

The Invalids’ Dome is a complex of buildings, made up of the French Army Museum, the Military Models Museum, the Contemporary History Museum and a burial site, which holds within itself the graves of notable French war heroes, like Napoleon (among many others).

Dome of the Invalids

Dome of the Invalids

The building complex also houses a retirement home for old war veterans, and a medical and surgical center. If I remember correctly, we visited the Army Museum and the Dome to see Napoleon’s tomb.

The Army Museum

The Army Museum

the Baroque style of the Invalids

the Baroque style of the Invalids

What I really liked while we were walking through the tomb were the painted glass windows. I really loved how detailed, yet seemingly simple they were. Also, there were not only just tombs and arms, but little scale-models and soldier-figures as well.

painted glass window in the Invalids I.

painted glass window in the Invalids I.

painted glass window in the Invalids II.

painted glass window in the Invalids II.

tiny, but fierce soldiers

tiny, but fierce soldiers

And after wandering around for a while, we finally got to the créme-de-la-créme of the expo, Napoleon’s final resting place. Wikipedia says: “Napoleon was initially interred on Saint Helena, butKing Louis-Philippe arranged for his remains to be brought to France in 1840, an event known as le retour des cendres. Napoléon’s remains were first buried in the Chapelle Saint-Jérôme in the Invalides until his final resting place, a tomb made of red quartzite and resting on a green granite base, was finished in 1861.”

Napoleon's tomb

Napoleon’s tomb

It was kind of funny seeing that huge tomb, when we knew that it is said that he was not such a tall man, but I guess they thought a great leader deserved a great resting place. Anyways, the Army Museum is quite interesting as well, totally worth a visit. For visitor information, check their website.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

CommentLuv badge

%d bloggers like this: