Discover the Hotel National des Invalides, now home of the musee de l'Armee. Walk through the collections of the museum, at your own pace, and immerse into over 500, 000 pieces from the Middle Ages to present day. Witness the temporary exhibition of Special Forces L'exposition, dedicated to the French special forces. Step into the heart of Paris and integrate into the History of France at the Hotel National des Invalides. Created by Louis, XIV to house veterans and wounded soldiers, the hotel national is now also the home of the musee de l'Armee. Admire the world-renowned gilded Dome, which has been, since 1861, the resting place of Napoleon. Explore the collections and wander through the armor and weapons of the kings of France. Gaze around at swords, cannons, uniforms, paintings, photographs, and personal belongings of France's major figures. Look beyond the artifacts, and participate in an interactive digital experiences with devices that allow visitors to get a better understanding of some of the battles that forged the country's history. Make sure to examining the Special Forces l'exposition temporary exhibit, that celebrates the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Special Ops Command.

Most tourists to Paris are impressed by the 26 pounds of gold leaf that make the Invalides stand out against the skyline, and take a photo of the dome. But few visitors realize the multiple facets of society on display within. Originally constructed under Louis XIV, the dome contains the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. The vast complex surrounding the cathedral is dedicated to preserving and exhibiting the many chapters of French military history, including the jousting of medieval knights, the Emperor’s European conquests, and the World Wars of the 20th century. Your guided visit of the site lasts 2.5 hours, and features meaningful stories not only about the French but also about the many nations that have come to fight on French soil. Of particular interest are the exhibits about the D-Day Landings in Normandy and the Liberation of Paris in 1944. Your expert guide will take you on a historical journey. You’ll get into the military theme as you admire the decorated armor and cannon the XVIIth century. Hear of the exploits of General Bonaparte and learn how he became Emperor Napoleon.  Next visit the church to discover tomb of the most famous military leader in European history. After taking the imperial crown for himself in 1804, Napoleon continued his program of European conquest right up to his ultimate defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon died in exile in 1821, but his remains were returned to France in 1840 and entombed according to his wishes in the heart of his capital. Napoleon’s son, nicknamed the Eaglet, also died on foreign soil; his body was reinterred here by Hitler in 1940. Join this thrilling voyage through conflict, disaster, heroism and united victory.

Explore the Rodin Museum with an expert art historian guide in a small group. The rooms are studded with sculptures and selections of more than 200 paintings that Rodin had accumulated over his life. Explore his various studies of the human form, including numerous hands and the life-sized The Walking Man. Learn about his contemporaries, whom he depicted in clay, like the French writer Balzac. Discover the details of his masterpiece, The Gates of Hell, including the most recognizable of Rodin’s work, The Thinker. After exploring the inside of the museum, you can stroll the beautifully manicured gardens where more sculptures are on display. Through this epic collection of his works, learn all about this renowned artist who became, even if unwittingly, a father of modern sculpture.

Your guide will lead you through the epic courtyard of the Invalides, discussing its 17th century roots as a veteran’s hospital under King Louis XIV. You’ll visit the cathedral that Louis built for his former troops, who found respite here after returning from battle. After discussing the Sun King’s contributions to France’s military history, you’ll learn all about the nation’s most elite leader, Napoleon Bonaparte. A brilliant general and audacious emperor, he is synonymous with France’s golden days of military conquest. Ultimately pushing too far, Napoleon died in exile, though his remains are interred underneath the magnificent gold dome. See his tomb up close, as well as the tombs of those closest to him, while basking in the ornate homage to this leader. Spend some time in the museum to learn all about this man, beyond his famous stature, through artifacts, recreations and military maps that walk you through his many wins and defeats.

Take a tour of the Invalides War Museum with an expert guide. Begin by exploring the 19th century roots that lead to one of the bloodiest wars ever, learning about characters like Bismarck during the Franco-Prussian War. From there, your guide will piece together the chain of events, including the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, that set off World War I. Come face to face with the equipment, uniforms, weapons, and other artifacts that were used during the war’s many battles. Relive the famous Battle of the Marne while seeing one of the iconic taxis that played a crucial role. Watch original footage detailing the atrocities before finally understanding how the Treaty of Versailles ended things. You’ll even see the train car where the armistice was signed, ending the war. Afterwards, learn how the threat of Adolf Hitler came to be a reality, launching World War II. Discuss significant events like the Ligne Maginot, Dunkerque, and the Occupation of Paris while meandering among artefacts collected from the battlefields. Your guide will discuss famous men like Pétain and De Gaulle who helped guide France through this horrendous war. You will discover stories behind the battles of Normandy and the Liberation of Paris, which lead ultimately the preservation of the city that you can still enjoy today.