Army Museum

The Musée de l'Armée was formed in 1905 through the combination of the Musée d'Artillerie and the Musée Historique de l'Armée. The Musée d'Artillerie, dedicated to weaponry, was established in 1795 following the French Revolution and grew under Napoleon before relocating to the Hôtel des Invalides in 1871 after the Franco-Prussian War and the establishment of the Third Republic. Meanwhile, the Musée Historique de l'Armée was founded in 1896 after the Paris World Fair. These two institutions merged in 1905 and the resulting museum occupies the former Musée de l'Artillerie, showcasing over 500,000 exhibits such as weapons, armour, artillery, uniforms, emblems, and paintings, spread out over 12,000 m2. The collections are organised chronologically, representing ancient times through to the conclusion of World War II.

In March 1878, the museum hosted an "ethnographic exhibition," featuring the primary "types" of Oceania, America, Asia, and Africa. The exhibition showcased dummies representing people from colonies, along with weapons and equipment. Organized by Colonel Le Clerc, the exhibition aimed to demonstrate unilineal evolution theories, which placed the European man at the pinnacle of human history. Parts of this collection began to transfer to the Ethnographic Museum of the Trocadéro in 1910 and 1917, with the final colonial rooms closing shortly after the 1931 Paris Colonial Exhibition. After World War II, all remaining remnants were transferred.

Main Courtyard and artillery collections

At the heart of the Hôtel National des Invalides lies the Main Courtyard, which serves as a showcase for a significant portion of the artillery collections acquired during the French Revolution. These collections span 200 years of French field artillery history, providing visitors with insights into the manufacturing processes, roles, and notable figures in French artillery. Notable items on display include 60 French classical bronze cannons, as well as a dozen howitzers and mortars.

Armour and weapons, 13th–17th centuries

The Musée de l'Armée boasts an extensive collection of ancient artifacts, ranking it among the top three largest arms museums worldwide. The collection includes:

• The Royal Room featuring crown collections
• The Medieval Room showcasing artifacts from the feudal army to the royal army
• The Louis XIII Room illustrating the progress of the royal army
• A Themed Arsenal Gallery
• An exhibit on Courtly Leisure Activities spanning from the late Middle Ages to the mid-17th century
• Several rooms dedicated to antique and oriental armament.

Modern Department, from Louis XIV to Napoleon III, 1643–1870

The scope of this division encompasses the military, political, social, and industrial history of France. It delves into the rich tapestry of great battles, highlights the experiences of soldiers, and tracks the evolution of technologies and strategies. Among the exhibits are displays of soldiers' uniforms, opulent weaponry and arms, and equipment used by various French and foreign regiments. The collection also features prominent historical figures, including Napoleon Bonaparte and his esteemed marshals.

Contemporary Department, the Two World Wars 1871–1945

The modern section narrates the history of the French military during the period of 1871 to 1945, encompassing the two major conflicts of the 20th century. The collection features an array of French and foreign uniforms, including those previously owned by renowned military leaders such as Foch, Joffre, de Lattre, and Leclerc. Additionally, it showcases artifacts utilized by soldiers in their daily routines, as well as prestigious items such as marshals' batons and ceremonial swords. The exhibit also includes a variety of emblems, paintings, and personal archives such as letters and postcards.

The Charles de Gaulle Monument

The Historial, also known as the Charles de Gaulle Monument, is a multimedia hub that offers an immersive experience into the life and work of Charles de Gaulle. He was a significant figure as the leader of the Free French Forces and the founding President of the Fifth Republic. The space includes several notable features, such as the Multi-Screen Room, the Ring, which provides an overview of the century projected onto a circular glass ring, and the Permanent Exhibition.

Cabinets insolites

There are three cabinets exclusively reserved for special collections, which include the following:

• Artillery models ranging from the 16th century to the 19th century.
• A carefully curated selection of military musical instruments, handpicked from a collection of 350 such items.
• An impressive display of 5,000 military figurines, taken from a vast collection of 140,000 toy soldiers.

Musée de l'Ordre de la Libération

The museum focuses on the Ordre de la Libération, which is France's second national order established in 1940 by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French Forces. It comprises three galleries dedicated to the following themes: Free France, Interior Resistance, and Deportation.

Musée des Plans-Reliefs

The Musée des Plans-Reliefs can be found inside the Musée de l'Armée and features a collection of military models. Currently, visitors can view approximately 100 models created between 1668 and 1870. The origins of the museum's models can be traced back to 1668 when the Marquis de Louvois, who served as the Minister of War under Louis XIV, began collecting three-dimensional models of fortified cities for military use. Over time, the collection grew and continued until the disappearance of bastioned fortifications in 1870.

Cathedral of Saint-Louis des Invalides

In 1676, Jules Hardouin-Mansart, a young architect, was given the task by the Secretary of State for War, Marquis de Louvois, to complete the construction of the chapel that Libéral Bruant had left unfinished. Hardouin-Mansart designed a unique building that served as both a royal chapel, known as the "Dôme des Invalides," and a chapel for veterans. This design allowed the King and his soldiers to attend mass at the same time while entering through different entrances, as per etiquette. In the 19th century, the separation between the two chapels was further emphasized by the installation of Napoleon I's tomb, the creation of two separate altars, and the construction of a glass wall between the two chapels.