How to get to the attraction
Getting to Les Invalides in Paris is easy thanks to its central location in the 7th arrondissement. The fastest option is usually public transport: take the metro to Invalides station, served by Line 8 and Line 13, then follow the signs toward the Esplanade des Invalides. You can also use RER C and get off at Invalides, a convenient option if you are coming from areas along the Seine or major stops such as Saint-Michel. Several bus lines stop nearby, making the route practical if you prefer to see the city on the way.
If you arrive by car, keep in mind slow traffic and limited parking near Quai d’Orsay, Boulevard Saint-Germain, and Rue de Constantine. Using a nearby paid car park and walking the last few minutes is usually less stressful.
By bike, follow the cycle lanes along the Seine, especially the route near Pont Alexandre III, and lock your bike at the racks near the esplanade. Walking is also an excellent option: from the Musée d’Orsay, the scenic riverside walk takes about 15 to 20 minutes, while from the Eiffel Tower the riverside route is equally pleasant. When you arrive, you will see the iconic Dôme des Invalides, home to the tomb of Napoleon, and the impressive Hôtel des Invalides complex.
Where the attraction is located
Attraction coordinates
Useful info
How to get to the attraction by public transport?
- To reach the attraction by metro, use the nearest metro station and follow the exit signs toward the attraction.
- To arrive by bus, choose a route that stops near the attraction and confirm the nearest stop before traveling.
- If you want to arrive by tram, get off at the closest stop and continue on foot to the attraction.
How to get to the attraction on foot or by bike?
- To reach the attraction by bike, use the marked cycle lanes, leave your bike at the racks near the Esplanade des Invalides or Pont Alexandre III, and continue on foot.
- To reach the attraction on foot, walk to Les Invalides along the Seine from the Musée d’Orsay; the route takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
How to get to the attraction by car?
- To reach the attraction by car, keep traffic and limited parking in mind; look for paid car parks near Rue de Constantine or Pont Alexandre III.
- To park near the attraction, you can use paid spaces around the Esplanade des Invalides, Rue de Constantine, and Quai d’Orsay, although they are often full.
- Even so, it is usually better to avoid arriving at Les Invalides by car and use public transport or walk the final part of the route.
Map of the attraction
Best itinerary including a visit to the attraction
Book your visit to Les Invalides on Tiqets, save your mobile ticket, and try to choose a morning time slot, arriving around 09:45 for security checks. With priority entry, go directly to the Musée de l’Armée during the first hour, which is usually quieter. The complex normally opens from 10:00 to 18:00, with last admission about 30 minutes before closing.
A simple, well-organized itinerary:
Start outside in the Cour d’Honneur to see the artillery displays, then enter while the galleries are still calm.
Visit the Dôme des Invalides early, when there are fewer visitors. Allow 20 to 30 minutes to admire the golden dome and the Tomb of Napoleon.
Continue through the main collections for 60 to 90 minutes. Follow a chronological route, from medieval armor and historic weapons to the modern galleries, and focus on one main chapter, such as the World Wars sections, instead of trying to see everything.
Use the included audio guide app for the highlights that interest you most and keep moving through the route: this museum rewards a steady pace.
Finish with the smaller museums: the Plans-Reliefs models, about 30 minutes, and the Order of Liberation, about 20 minutes. If you still have energy, also check any temporary exhibitions.
For a pleasant break, plan lunch near Rue Cler. In the afternoon, walk toward Pont Alexandre III and the Seine for photos, or combine the visit with a nearby museum. If you want a memorable ending, consider the AURA light and sound experience at Les Invalides when available. Useful points: the accessible entrance is near Place Vauban; the address is Rue de Grenelle. Finish with a walk across the Esplanade des Invalides.
