Napoleon Tomb Paris — About, History, Tours & Visitor Info (2025)

Visit Napoleon I’s Tomb under the glittering Dome of Les Invalides, one of Paris’s most impressive historic sites. Learn how the former royal chapel became the resting place of the emperor, what you’ll see inside the Dome Church and Army Museum, and how to choose the best tickets, guided tours, and visitor experiences for your 2025 trip.

About Napoleon’s Tomb & Les Invalides

Napoleon’s Tomb lies at the heart of the Dôme des Invalides, a golden-domed church within the Hôtel National des Invalides complex in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. The complex was originally built in the 17th century as a royal hospital and home for French war veterans, and today it also houses the Musée de l’Armée (Army Museum).

Beneath the richly decorated baroque dome, Napoleon’s remains rest in a monumental red quartzite sarcophagus, surrounded by a circular crypt and marble reliefs showing his victories and reforms. Around the central tomb you’ll also find chapels and burial places of other notable military figures, including some of Napoleon’s family members and marshals.

What Makes Napoleon’s Tomb Special

A visit here is part architecture, part military history, and part political symbolism. It’s one of Paris’s most atmospheric monuments.

  • A spectacular baroque dome visible from across Paris, richly painted with religious and imperial imagery.
  • Napoleon’s monumental sarcophagus placed in a circular crypt so visitors look down on it from the gallery above.
  • Direct access to the Army Museum, with collections covering medieval armor to World Wars and modern conflicts.

Where It Fits in Your Paris Itinerary

Les Invalides sits near the Eiffel Tower, the Seine River and the Rodin Museum. It’s easy to combine Napoleon’s Tomb with a wider day of left-bank sightseeing and river cruises.

Suggested combo: Visit Napoleon’s Tomb in the morning, explore the Army Museum, enjoy lunch in the 7th arrondissement, then walk or cruise along the Seine towards the Eiffel Tower in the late afternoon or evening.

Brief History & Timeline of Napoleon’s Tomb

The story of Napoleon’s Tomb spans more than two centuries, from the Sun King’s Paris to the return of the emperor’s remains and modern-day France. This quick timeline gives helpful context before you go:

  • 1670s — Louis XIV orders the construction of Hôtel des Invalides as a hospital and residence for wounded soldiers. The royal church, later known as the Dôme des Invalides, becomes one of Paris’s grandest religious buildings.
  • 1821 — Napoleon dies in exile on the island of Saint Helena. He is first buried there, far from mainland France.
  • 1840 — Under King Louis-Philippe, Napoleon’s remains are brought back to France in a ceremony known as the “Retour des Cendres” (Return of the Ashes). They are placed in a temporary tomb at Les Invalides.
  • 1840–1861 — Architects and artists transform the interior of the Dôme church to create a monumental crypt and new resting place, reflecting Napoleon’s importance in national memory.
  • 1861 — The current sarcophagus and crypt are completed and Napoleon’s remains are moved to their final resting place under the dome.
  • 20th–21st century — Les Invalides evolves into a major heritage site, with the Army Museum expanding its collections and exhibitions on French and European military history.

Today: Napoleon’s Tomb and Les Invalides are among the most important historical sites in Paris, blending royal and imperial architecture, veterans’ history, and France’s long military past in a single complex.

Tours, Tickets & Napoleon-Themed Experiences

You can simply buy a ticket and explore at your own pace, or choose guided tours that follow Napoleon’s footsteps across Paris and end at his tomb. These options (via GetYourGuide) are a good place to start:

Les Invalides & Napoleon’s Tomb Entrance Ticket

Entry to the Dôme des Invalides (Napoleon’s Tomb) and the Musée de l’Armée. Explore the crypt, dome church, and extensive military collections covering armor, uniforms, weapons and major French campaigns.

Napoleon Walking Tour + Tomb Entry

Follow a guide through Napoleon’s Paris: key sites linked to his reign, legends and downfall. The tour typically finishes at Les Invalides, where you’ll visit Napoleon’s Tomb and learn how his legacy is presented in today’s France.

Guided Les Invalides & Army Museum Tour

Join a small-group or semi-private tour focused on Les Invalides and the Army Museum. A guide helps make sense of uniforms, weapons and battle plans, and explains how the complex became a symbolic resting place for Napoleon and other commanders.

Seine River Cruise + Left Bank Sights

Combine a Seine cruise with time at Les Invalides and the Eiffel Tower. Many visitors visit Napoleon’s Tomb, then walk down to the river for a one-hour cruise past monuments like the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and Notre-Dame.

Paris Hop-On Hop-Off Bus (Invalides Stop)

Use a hop-on hop-off bus pass to get between major attractions including the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées and Les Invalides. Hop off near the golden dome, visit Napoleon’s Tomb, then continue your city sightseeing.

Walking Tours from Opéra to Invalides

Some guided walks link Paris’s grand boulevards and opera district with the Seine and Les Invalides. They’re a relaxed way to understand how the city evolved around royal, imperial and republican power.

Flexibility tip: Many tickets and tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before your visit. That’s useful if you’re planning around weather, museum days, or Eiffel Tower time slots.

What You’ll Experience at Napoleon’s Tomb

The Dome, Crypt & Sarcophagus

The moment you step into the dome church, your eyes are drawn upward to the frescoed ceiling and downward to the central opening that reveals Napoleon’s tomb.

  1. Walk around the circular gallery to view the red quartzite sarcophagus from above.
  2. Notice the twelve monumental statues representing Napoleon’s victories and achievements.
  3. Look for marble reliefs that illustrate key episodes of his rule, from civil codes to major battles.
  4. Explore side chapels and crypts where other military leaders and members of Napoleon’s family are buried.

Army Museum Collections

Most tickets also include access to the Musée de l’Armée, one of Europe’s largest military museums. Even a short visit gives a strong sense of French and European history.

  • Suits of armor, swords and firearms from the Middle Ages to the early modern period.
  • Exhibitions on the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, with uniforms, flags and maps.
  • Galleries covering World War I and World War II, including artifacts from the trenches and Resistance.
  • Temporary exhibitions focusing on specific campaigns, leaders, or themes in warfare.

Tip: If you’re short on time, prioritize the Dome church and Napoleon galleries first, then explore a few Army Museum rooms that match your interests (Napoleonic era, World Wars, armor, etc.).

Insider Tips for Visiting Napoleon’s Tomb

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings generally feel calmer than weekends and public holidays. Late afternoon can also be atmospheric, especially when the dome is softly lit and crowds thin out.

Photography & Respect

Photography is usually permitted without flash in many areas, but rules can vary. Always respect signs, avoid loud conversations, and remember that this is both a museum and a mausoleum.

How Long You Need

For the dome, crypt and a quick look at the Army Museum, allow at least 1.5–2 hours. History fans who want to dig into exhibitions in detail can easily spend half a day or more on site.

What to Wear & Bring

Dress is casual but respectful—think church-level modesty. Wear comfortable walking shoes for stone floors and museum corridors, and bring a light layer as some areas can feel cool even in summer.

Visitor Cheatsheet — Napoleon’s Tomb & Les Invalides

Location

Napoleon’s Tomb is inside the Dôme des Invalides at the Hôtel National des Invalides in the 7th arrondissement, on Paris’s Left Bank, not far from the Eiffel Tower and the Seine.

Nearest Metro & Transport

Nearby metro stations typically include Invalides, La Tour-Maubourg and Varenne. Several bus lines also stop close by, and many hop-on hop-off routes include an Invalides or Eiffel Tower stop.

Tickets & Timed Entry

It’s recommended to book tickets in advance, especially in high season. Many products include both the dome (Napoleon’s Tomb) and the Army Museum; check the description carefully for what’s included and whether you need to select a time slot.

Accessibility

Les Invalides offers accessible routes and facilities, but the complex is historic, with some uneven surfaces and stairs. If mobility is a concern, look for tours and tickets that highlight accessibility options and elevators.

Bags, Security & Dress

Expect standard security checks. Large backpacks, luggage and sharp objects are usually not allowed inside. Travel light and bring only what you need for the visit and surrounding sightseeing.

Good Pairings Nearby

Combine Napoleon’s Tomb with the Rodin Museum, a Seine river cruise, the Champ de Mars & Eiffel Tower, or a walk across the Pont Alexandre III towards the Grand Palais and Champs-Élysées.

Ready to Plan Your Visit to Napoleon’s Tomb in Paris?

Build your ideal Les Invalides day: secure entry to Napoleon’s Tomb and the Army Museum, add a focused Napoleon walking tour or a Seine cruise, and experience one of Paris’s most powerful combinations of art, architecture and history in 2025.