Invalides Dome & Napoleon Guided Tour: Skip the line

Stand at Napoleon's tomb beneath the gold dome, then walk the courtyard where Louis XIV's veterans found refuge.

A 2-hour skip-the-line guided tour of the Musée de l'Armée inside the Invalides Dome in Paris, led by a live guide in your chosen language. The guide takes you through the 17th-century courtyard and cathedral, then to Napoleon's tomb beneath the gold dome, and through the museum's artifacts, maps and recreations of his military campaigns. All entrance fees are included; the private option pairs you with a guide exclusively; the semi-private option keeps the group to 8 people maximum. Wheelchair-accessible throughout, though wheelchair tours are private only.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided tour of Invalides and Napoleon's tomb

• Enter Invalides courtyard
• Learn about Louis XIV's veteran hospital
• Visit cathedral built for former troops
• Discover Louis XIV's military contributions
• Explore Napoleon Bonaparte's history
• See Napoleon's tomb under gold dome
• View tombs of Napoleon's close associates
• Tour museum artifacts and military maps

The experience

Your guide meets you at the Invalides and walks you straight past the entrance queue. The tour opens in the epic courtyard, where Louis XIV built a hospital for his wounded troops in the 17th century. The guide explains how that building became the foundation for everything that followed. You'll enter the cathedral Louis had constructed for those veterans, a space designed to honor soldiers returning from battle. The architecture and the history of the place anchor the first half of the morning.

From there, the focus shifts to Napoleon. Your guide takes you to his tomb, positioned directly beneath the gold dome: the centerpiece of the entire museum. You'll see the tombs of those closest to him as well, all set inside the ornate cathedral space. The guide walks you through his rise as a general, his reign as emperor, and the ambition that eventually sent him into exile. Artifacts, military maps and recreations of his campaigns fill the museum galleries, and the guide uses them to trace his wins and defeats across Europe.

The tour lasts 2 hours total. If you book the private option, the guide is yours alone. If you choose semi-private, the group stays at 8 people maximum. Either way, entrance fees are covered and you skip the line at the door. The museum has security restrictions on bags (only handbags or small thin backpacks are allowed through), and some rooms inside require silence or restricted conversation, which your guide will explain before you enter them. Dress appropriately for a formal museum setting. The Invalides occasionally closes without warning. If the delay exceeds an hour from your start time, the operator will arrange an alternative, though refunds are not available in those cases.

What’s included

• Skip-the-line entry to the Invalides Dome and Musée de l'Armée.
• live guide in your chosen language (English, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian or German).
• access to Napoleon's tomb beneath the gold dome, the cathedral, and the military museum galleries with artifacts and maps.
• all entrance fees.

Options for this experience

7 options

Private Museum Russian10:00 and 13:30

Private Museum French10:00 and 13:30

Private Museum English10:00 and 13:30

See 4 more options

Private Museum German10:00 and 13:30Private museum tour in German at 1:30 pm

Private Museum Italian10:00 and 13:30

Private Museum Spanish10:00 and 13:30

Semi-private tour for up to 8 people, in English10:00Book a small group tour with a maximum of 8 guests per guide to save money. This option is not suitable for wheelchair users.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 13:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (under 10)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Babylon Tours Paris

Is this one for you?Choose private if you want the guide's undivided attention to pause at exhibits or ask follow-up questions. The semi-private option pairs you with other visitors at a lower cost if you're comfortable sharing the guide's time.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (under 10).

What exactly is inside the Invalides Dome that I'll see on this tour?

The Invalides Dome houses the Musée de l'Armée (Army Museum), and the tour centers on Napoleon's tomb beneath the gold dome, the cathedral Louis XIV built for his veteran troops, and the museum galleries filled with military artifacts, maps and recreations of Napoleon's campaigns across Europe.

Do I really skip the line, or will I still wait at the entrance?

The skip-the-line access means your guide leads you past the entrance queue and takes you directly into the building, though increased security measures at the attraction may create some lines once you're inside, which your guide will navigate with you.

Can I book this tour if I use a wheelchair?

The tour is wheelchair accessible throughout the Invalides, but wheelchair-friendly tours are only available as private tours. If you select the semi-private option, a wheelchair tour is not possible and no refund applies.

Does the tour price include hotel pickup?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The operator recommends using Uber or a taxi to reach the Invalides. Gratuities for the guide are optional and not included in the tour price.

Are there any restrictions on what I can bring into the museum?

Large bags and suitcases are not allowed inside the museum: only handbags or small thin backpacks can pass through security. Dress appropriately for a formal museum setting, as required for entry.