Originally constructed in 1675 to house disabled war veterans, today the Hotel des Invalides is a military museum open to the public. The courtyards alone are an amazing sight and there are 15 in total with the front of the building facing the river Seine.

Within the Hotel des Invalides you’ll find the Saint-Louis des Invalides, the eglise du Dome, the Musee de l’Armee , Musee de l’Ordre de la Liberation and the Musee des Plans-Relief.

Parts of the building within Hotel des Invalides today still serve as a hospital for war veterans. There are many exhibitions of cannon and paintings, as well as uniforms worn by soldiers in the French army here for you to see as well.

You might be interested to know that the remains of Napoleon lie on the burial grounds in the crypt under the dome amongst other military heroes. There are plenty gift and book shops around Hotel des Invalides to bring home as many souvenirs as you wish.