Paris 7: Les Invalides – The tomb of Napoleon

I've been reading about Napoleon Bonaparte since my elementary school through comic series of famous world characters. Napoleon and his army were the inspiration for many of my kid drawings about battle between soldiers in early modern period. Furthermore, he was also one of the reasons I love playing Age of Empire III, a game that I played most during my high school time. Beyond of that, my house is currently decorated by a painting “Napoleon Crossing the Alps”. Because of such admiration and my history passion, Napoleon's resting place became the place that I must visit in Paris.

Les Invalides is located in a large area in the heart of Paris. This complex of building is originally built for the purpose of a hospital and a retirement home for war veterans and is now a museum for the military history of France.

A statue of Napoleon with his reputed gesture, a hand in his shirt, is placed in the center of the museum.

Perhaps because of history relevance, a “boring” subject to people, the museum does not attract as many tourists as other famous museums in Paris like the Louvre or Musée d'Orsay.

War artifacts throughout the great battles of France are being displayed in the museum. As a great world power, I realized that France involves in a lot of major armed conflicts in the world. I came here for the Franco-Prussian War, the Indochina War, the First and the Second World War.

The model depicts the daily life of French soldiers in the barracks before the Franco-Prussian War. Outdated, lack of discipline, lack of will to fight were the reality of the French army at that time.

A page of Le Petit Journal about the Dreyfus Affair, a serious socio-political conflict in late 19th century in France. Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer, was hastily convicted of treason. There was a big ceremony to remove his badge from his uniform and break his soldier sword (as shown in the picture). At that time, nearly everyone in French society was divided into two sides: support or against Dreyfus. After that, Dreyfus was vindicated by the French Supreme Court. You can read more here.

This muddy French Army uniform shows the rigors of life in the war trenches during the First World War, where explosive artillery shells and rain spread mud everywhere and soldiers had to live in a dirty condition.

A model of French soldier during First Word War.

The uniform of the famous general Nguyen Tri Phuong was brought to Paris by the French Army after the successful invasion in Vietnam in the 19th century. This is an artifact that I really want to see when visiting this museum because of the significant relevance to my home country. Today, Nguyen Tri Phuong is widely recognized as a patriotic general who scarified for Vietnam. His name is given to many streets in Vietnam.

A helmet of French soldier during the invasion of Annam (Vietnam).

Flags and uniforms of Nazi Germany during the occupation of France during World War II.

Luggage and uniforms of American soldiers on D-Day, one of the largest landings in world history which took place in Normandy (France).

A V-2 missle, the world's first intercontinental missile developed by Nazi Germany.

The military uniform of Emperor Qian Long is also brought here by the French Army after the invasion to China.

The Dôme des Invalides, a former Royal Chapel, is home for remains of Napoleon Bonaparte and many famous generals of France.

Unlike many other chapels that I have visited, Dôme des Invalides has a tall dome with a wide and open space.

The center of this place is where the remains of Napoleon Bonaparte are kept. A replica skeleton of Napoleon’s horse was hanging above the Napoleon’s tomb. I wondered why they did that. I felt that this action is disrespectful to the greatest general and emperor of France.

Napoleon's tomb is very solemnly placed in the middle and surrounded by statues of the gods. Historically, Napoleon passed away on Saint Helena, an island near Africa. He was exiled to this remote island after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. The return of his remains to Paris was a diplomatic effort between France and Britain after the long time of conflict between the two countries. His remains were solemnly brought through the Arc de Triomphe before coming to Les Invalides.

The entrance down to Napoleon's tomb is an altar.

Napoleon will always be praised by France and the world for his military and managerial talents.

Around the tomb are sculptures on the wall depicting Napoleon's life and career.

Napoleon II (Napoléon François Joseph Charles Bonaparte), son of Napoleon, is buried near his great father.

Near Napoleon's tomb is a museum dedicated to him. This is a painting depicting Emperor Napoleon during his coronation ceremony.

This is one of Napoleon's horses. A real horse. He is placed near the resting place of his owner.

Paintings depicting the moment when Napoleon took his last breath in a poor living condition on the Saint Helena island.

Napoleon's bed when he took his last breath. Very poor for a great military leader.

I finish my trip at sunset. The sky and weather of Paris in October are so pleasant to me. From here, I can see the Eiffel Tower.