Things to do in Invalides district

Indeed, within its walls lies the musée de l’Armée, which displays the largest ever collection from French military history. Armour, helmets, maps and shields are among the hundreds of thousands of military objects on display that speak of wars and battles that have shaped the history of France. Whether you’re an expert or just have children who are mad about knights, you’ll be amazed by this museum’s outstanding heritage.

Among the exceptional items on display at the Army Museum, some are of particular interest, such as the famous bicorn hat worn by Napoleon I and his majestic portrait painted by Ingres in 1806. And for good reason, because the emperor resided here. Beneath the impressive dôme doré de l’Hôtel des Invalides lies one of the greatest political figures in the history of France. He wanted to be laid to rest near the French people, and his wish was granted. In 1840, nearly 20 years after Napoleon’s death on Saint Helena, his body was repatriated to Les Invalides by order of King Louis-Philippe. It took 20 years to build the vault that was to be Napoleon’s final resting place, beneath the dome. Decorated with gilding and sculptures (including a statue of the emperor himself), this crypt stands below the enormous cupola, offering awestruck onlookers a moment of contemplation.

Fancy an alternative way to visit this remembrance site? Buy tickets for an evening at Aura Invalides, a sound-and-light spectacle that brings out the full beauty of the chapels. As night falls, a display of colour and sounds plunges you into a surrealistic atmosphere and reveals vestiges of the past in a new light. Sublime and bewitching.

The tour Eiffel is of course a key feature of your visit if you want to see the most beautiful and most graceful sights of the City of Light. Its curved metal structure, its perfect symmetry and its uppermost tip reaching for the stars… Truly a wonderful sight that you never get tired of seeing.

A stone’s throw from the Hôtel des Invalides, treat yourself to a pleasant break at the beautiful Musée Rodin. Rodin spent the last years of his life in the privacy of the Biron mansion. Here, in accordance with the artist’s wishes, his statues continue to honour his memory. Since 1919, this lovely private mansion has exhibited the artist’s work, offering visitors a romantic stroll amid the sculptures on display in each room, including Rodin’s studio. You’ll have the pleasure of admiring his sublime sculpture, The Kiss, the ultimate romantic masterpiece. Your walk continues in the gardens, an open-air extension of the museum. Among the greenery and other statues stands one of the museum’s highlights, The Thinker, adding a poetic touch to this scene of romance between art and nature.

Les Invalides has plenty to keep fine gourmets entertained. In this district of excellence, gastronomy is showcased on every street corner. Mori Yoshida is an excellent example. Step inside the patisserie near the Chaban-Delmas esplanade to see some real works of art. Since 2013, the famous Japanese pastry chef has taken customers on a culinary voyage, revisiting the great classics of French patisserie with a Japanese twist. Paris-Brest sprinkled with black sesame, chocolate & matcha tart… A delight for the senses.

A short walk away, you’ll find the Parisian shoppers’ temple, Bon Marché Rive Gauche. This is Paris’ oldest department store. It opened in 1852 and offers the very best in design, fashion, luxury items and gastronomy. Bon Marché Rive Gauche offers more than just a stroll amid French sophistication. It is a sight worth seeing in its own right. With its Art Déco façades, glass roof and beautiful white beams, it is truly a palace of elegance. And if you fancy it, the shop regularly re-opens its doors after dark to offer visitors an immersive show in which they mingle with the artists in a surprising setting.

Head for the banks of the Seine where it’s party time near the Invalides bridge. With its stunning view of the Eiffel Tower, the Flow is one of the best places to go if you want to enjoy the vibe until the early hours. Every evening, this 40-metre barge draws a crowd of people eager to experience the party atmosphere that reigns on the banks of the river Seine. The eclectic programme at the Flow offers everything from intimate concerts to weekend club nights. And when summer returns, the terrace overflows onto the quayside where you can enjoy the intense rays of the sun.

Next to it, the entertainment is just as merry at the Rosa Bonheur sur Seine, which has a guinguette-style atmosphere. This immense barge with windows all around offers a panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower, Alexandre III bridge and the Elysée palace… Feast your eyes on the sights of Paris while you party! With its long terrace and outdoor bar, the Rosa Bonheur sur Seine is a hotspot for togetherness and sharing. After a delicious pizza, you can take part in a table football tournament or enjoy a glass of rosé with others sitting at your table. You’ll soon understand what Rosa Bonheur is all about.

Although most people know it already, the musée d’Orsay is one of those iconic places in the city of Paris that you never get tired of visiting. Occupying a former train station built for the World Exhibition of 1900, the museum is home to the world’s largest collection of impressionist paintings. Here you can gaze at Manet’s Lunch on the grass and Monet’s intoxicating Poppy Field… But the museum also boasts an eclectic and prestigious collection that offers a beautiful retrospective of Art. Children and adults will be moved by the soft features of the Polar Bear sculpted by Pompon, while Van Gogh fans can admire one of the artist’s self-portraits.

Urban art enthusiasts also have their haunt. Prolong your walk along the Seine and stop at Fluctuart, the world’s first floating venue for urban art. If you’re mad about street art, or just love anything new, then you’ll enjoy visiting this atypical venue. Fluctuart is a 1,000 m² facility boasting a permanent collection as well as a library, artistic events and workshops for children and adults. And what better way to round off your visit than sipping a cocktail or sharing a platter of tapas on the venue’s own terrace.

Paris can also be visited… underground! The musée des Égouts de Paris, offers a more original way of exploring the City of Light as you plunge into the bowels of Paris. Approximately ten metres beneath the surface, this one-hour tour has you winding your way through the Paris sewers. Throughout this guided tour, you’ll hear all the details of the history of the Paris sewers, from their creation in the Roman era to the present day. An unusual walk in the Parisian depths!