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Courtyard of the Army Museum, Paris

Paris' Army Museum (Musée de l'Armée) is considered one of the finest military museums in the World.

About the Museum

The Musée de l'Armée was opened in 1905. It combined two already existing museums, the Artillery Museum and the Historical Army Museum.

Situated at Les Invalides, the expansive French Army Museum covers war from the Stone Age to Hiroshima. The museum boasts a nearly unparalleled selection of artifacts, artwork, uniforms, and personal effects from many wars. Special attention is given to 17th and 18th century wars beginning with the reign of Louis XIV, the Napoleonic Wars, the Franco-Prussian War and World War I and II.
The World War II exhibition is particularly extensive and covers several rooms, with displays on the German invasion, the occupation of France, the resistance and liberation. There's also coverage of the Holocaust, the American involvement in the war as well as the war in the Pacific.
Visitors can also view a large collection of ancient arms and armor from the 13th to 17th centuries as well as hunting and tournament weapons and armour. A part of the museum is dedicated to oriental weapons between the 15th and 20th century. There are also some artifacts from France's participation in the American Revolution.

Napoleon

For fans of Napoleon Bonaparte, there are some very rare items to view, including the general's own uniforms and hats, his field tent, and his personal trophies. The collection of period uniforms, in general, is fascinating and is among the most extensive of any such collection in the world.

Tomb of Napoleon

Visitors to the museum can also include a visit to the tomb of Napoleon - there's a combined entrance fee for the tomb and the museum. The tomb is located on the premises inside the Dome Church. Also buried there are two of his brothers and his son. Some guided tours include a visit to the tomb.

Musée des Plans-Reliefs

Also included in the ticket for the Musée de l'Armée is a visit to the Musée des Plans-Reliefs, a collection of large scale models of fortresses and fortified cities in France. Many of these scale models cover a surface of several tens of square meters (100s of sq ft).
The oldest model was built in 1868, and shows the fortified city of Perpignan. Another interesting scale model is that of the Mont Saint-Michel, a fortified tidal island, of which even the smallest of details are visible. (Source: aviewoncities/paris)