Napoleon's Tomb

napoleon's tomb - Dôme des Invalides

Napoleon's Tomb
Avenue de Tourville
75007 PARIS
Located within the 7th arrondissemont

Best metro stations for Les Invalides are:

École Militaire
10 miins
La Tour-Maubourg
10 mins.
Varenne
10 mins.

Invalides
15 mins.

The 107 meter high (351 ft) gold gilded baroque dome that sits on top of the Hotel des Invalides' Royal Chapel is easily recognisable on the Parisian skyline and acts as a beacon to one of Paris' major attractions -'Napoleon's Tomb'.

The former 'Royal Chapel' is now a mausoleum and it's here Napoleon Bonaparte's remains were interned in 1861.
Napoleon had actually died on the island of St Helena on May 5th 1821 where he had been in exile since 1815. He remained buried there until October 15th 1840 when his remains were exhumed and brought to Paris, under the instructions of Louis-Philippe. He had demanded that the emperor should be returned to French soil.
A state funeral was held and his remains were temporarily laid to rest in St Jerome's Chapel. They were moved here in 1861 when the modifications to a mausoleum were completed.

The mausoleum also contains the tombs of some of Napoleon's family, as well as other French military leaders and war heroes. Above is looking up under the ornate dome of the former chapel.

Napoleon's sarcophagus is directly under the dome and sits one level below the main floor. It can be viewed from both levels.

Tip:
Visit the nearby Musée Rodin if you are only wishing to visit the tomb of Napoleon without visiting the Military Museum.

Napoleon's Tomb is made of red quartzite and rests on a green granite pedestal. The crypt is surrounded by a circular gallery adorned with sculptures and bas-reliefs depicting significant moments in Napoleon's life and military victories. The sarcophagus, which contains Napoleon's remains, is made of several different types of stone, including porphyry and quartzite.
The tomb is a grandiose and impressive monument, reflecting the stature of Napoleon in French history. Visitors to Les Invalides can explore the museum and see various artifacts related to Napoleon's life and military campaigns before reaching the final resting place of the emperor in the crypt. The site remains a popular destination for history enthusiasts and tourists interested in the legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte.