The Musée de l'Armée at night: visit the collections on the first Friday evening of each month

Between daily obligations and the hectic pace of the week, it can be hard to find time for a cultural getaway. Fortunately, the Musée de l'Armée - Hôtel des Invalides offers a nocturne on the first Friday of every month, the ideal opportunity to discover its impressive collections and monumental architecture in a hushed atmosphere.

Housed in the heart of theHôtel des Invalides, a 17thᵉ century edifice founded by Louis XIV, the Musée de l'Armée came into being in 1905, following the merger of the Musée d'Artillerie and the Musée Historique de l'Armée. It offers a powerful museum journey, covering French military history from Prehistory to the Second World War.

The spaces are divided into six vast chronological sectors: ancient arms and armor, modern periods (Louis XIV to Napoleon III), world wars, artillery, the Historial Charles-de-Gaulle, and finally the sumptuous Dôme des Invalides, home to the tomb of Napoleon I and other prestigious graves. The collections include uniforms, weapons, cannons, vehicles, works of art, archives and miscellaneous objects, covering several tens of thousands of items.

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]

The collections - with the exception of the Musee des Plans-Reliefs and the Musee de l'Ordre de la Libération - can be visited by night on the first Friday of each month, until 10pm, with last admission at 9pm. During these evenings, fun and educational activities are offered, such as a life-size investigation game, or flash guided tours based on popular culture.

As far as prices are concerned, there's a special rate of 10 euros, free for under-26s. To avoid unpleasant surprises on arrival, the museum recommends reserving your paid visit slot in advance, to guarantee your place.

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Current events at the Musée de l'Armée

Exploration: an affair of state? The exhibit that takes us on a journey at the Army Museum
The Army Museum traces three centuries of history with its new exhibition, Explorations: A Matter of State?, running from April 15 to August 16, 2026. [Read more]

The Eglise du Dôme and the Eglise Saint-Louis-des-Invalides
The Eglise du Dôme and the Eglise Saint-Louis-des-Invalides are in fact one and the same building. We explain it all below! [Read more]