The Army Museum opens its doors on Saturday May 23, 2026 for a special night in conjunction with the Nuit des Musées. A standout evening focused on France’s military history—the History with a capital H—as the Hôtel des Invalides and the Army Museum’s permanent collections are freely accessible to the public throughout the night.
The Musée de l'armée in Paris, a witness to military history in the heart of the Hôtel des Invalides
The Musée de l'Armée, located in the heart of the Hôtel des Invalides, takes us to the heart of military history through its permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. Find out more about this emblematic museum in Paris's 7th arrondissement. [Read more]
Visitors can (re)discover this place steeped in history, created in 1905 with the merger of the Musée d'Artillerie and the Musée Historique de l'Armée, both already located in the Hôtel des Invalides. Open-air reconstructions of the Grande Armée bivouac, historical events, concerts, investigative games, guided tours, light shows... Throughout the year, the museum's program is rich in discoveries: lovers of history, and of Napoleon I in particular, are spoilt for choice!
The museum boasts a rich collection of uniforms, weapons, drawings, paintings and everyday objects, from Louis XIV to the wars of the 20th century. In addition to these collections, you can admire this monument to a flourishing history: the Invalides dome, the Cour d'Honneur, Saint-Louis Cathedral and even the Musée des Plans-Reliefs are all accessible with your Musée de l'Armée ticket.
Discovering spaces usually closed to the public
freely explore two exceptional areas that are normally off-limits: the Turenne Room, the former refectory of the Hôtel des Invalides, adorned with majestic 17th-century wall paintings, and the Grand Salon, the former council chamber where you can enjoy a stunning view—on one side the gilded Dôme des Invalides, on the other the esplanade of the Invalides.
Practical information
From 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.—access limited to available spaces
Grand Salon: access via the cour d’honneur galleries, level 1
Turenne Room: East Wing, level 0
The Class, The Masterpiece!
The Army Museum is stepping up its commitment to arts education and, again this year, is taking part in the national program The Class, The Masterpiece!
As part of this initiative, students from five Paris-area schools explored military heritage and France’s history through the Museum’s collections. On the occasion of Europe’s Night of Museums, they will showcase, at the heart of the Department of Weapons and Ancient Armor, the objects they have worked on. A unique opportunity to share their discoveries, their learning, and their creativity.
Practical information
Department of Weapons and Ancient Armor, West Wing, Level 0
Open continuously from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
On the occasion of the European Night of Museums, Saturday, May 23, 2026, the Army Museum invites visitors to wander freely at the heart of the Hôtel national des Invalides, a site steeped in history. During the evening, enjoy free access to all museum spaces, including the temporary exhibitions and the Dome (Napoleon I’s Tomb).
The perfect moment to discover or rediscover the Museum’s collections in a new light, to stroll through exceptional spaces usually closed to the public, or to relive three centuries of military and scientific exploration through the temporary exhibition Explorations: a State affair?—300 years of history from the depths to space, in a space that is unusually open for the occasion. Students taking part in the national program La classe, l'œuvre are also waiting in the ancient arms and armor collections to present their work. Finally, enjoy the flash guided tours offered by the museum's mediators around a selection of objects from the collection.
Practical information
Open and free from 7:00 p.m. to midnight (last entry to the Invalides site at 11:00 p.m.—access exclusively via 129 rue de Grenelle)
Flash guided tours: the Museum’s treasures
Led by a guide and drawing from a curated selection of objects, let yourself be surprised by the Museum’s exceptional collections and the Invalides site.
Practical information
Tour departures: 7:30 PM, 8:30 PM, 9:30 PM
Meeting point: north porch, access via 129 Rue de Grenelle
Tour duration: 30 minutes
Le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles.
Would you like to take an evening trip back in time?
Dates and Opening Time
On May 23, 2026
Location
Army Museum
129 Rue de Grenelle
75007 Paris 7
Prices
Free
Official website
www.musee-armee.fr
The Musée de l'armée in Paris, a witness to military history in the heart of the Hôtel des Invalides
