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

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 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 II.

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

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.