by Wendy
We decided to go to Les Invalides because of rain in the Paris forecast. A museum day seems like a good idea, and none of us have been here before. It’s open on Tuesday, unlike The Louvre, and easy to access via Metro.
MJ, Sunny and Jimmy and I walk down a long tree-lined boulevard toward the entrance, as the sky wavers from blue to grey, bright to cloudy.
Invalides is an area of stately buildings, courtyards, monuments and museums relating to France’s military history. It originally dates back to a veteran’s hospital, retirement home and chapel established by King Louis XIV. The gold-topped Dome des Invalides is part of a second, royal chapel completed in the early 1700s.
We purchase tickets (about 12 euros each) and MJ gets a complimentary hat, which she even wears for a few photos, being the good sport that she is. While it’s not raining, we stroll outside and check out the impressive courtyard with artillery cannons on display.
We visit the Dome des Invalides and Napoleon Bonaparte’s tomb inside. An ornate ceiling adorned with paintings is above, and around us are statues and cold marble. There’s a gift kiosk of course, where MJ buys children’s books about Marie Antoinette and Napoleon.
There is an extensive military museum with exhibits on French wars throughout history. One of Napoleon’s horses, Le Vizir, is a taxidermy marvel in a glass case. We are surprised at how thin he looks. We watch subtitled movie reels, listen to recordings, walk through the the quiet corridors looking at uniforms and tapestries and weapons and maps and drawings and objects collected through centuries.
Themes a little heavy for a kid? MJ did not complain and seemed to find the place interesting. She used the headphones in the museum to learn about various wartime strategies. And the sprawling grounds and elaborate architecture easily capture any visitor’s attention.
Luckily, there is also a snack bar, and not just any snack bar. This is one of the famous Angelina locations, serving the famous macaroons and rich hot chocolate so thick it would keep a straw standing upright.
The rain quickly passes through. Soon it’s sunshine again in the courtyard. We say Au Revoir to Invalides and continue on our Paris journey.