As one of the greatest statesman and military leaders of France, Napoléon Bonaparte has had a tremendous impact on the history of France and the entire world. He was Emperor of the French as Napoleon I from 1804 until 1814 and again briefly in 1815. He died in exile in 1821, but his final resting place has become a central monument at the heart of the Musée de L’Armée that attracts audiences from across Paris and the entire world.
From Chapel to Tomb
The Hôtel des Invalides was commissioned in 1670 by Louis XIV to provide accommodation and hospital care for wounded soldiers. The Cité des Invalides first opened to veterans in 1674. At once a hospice, barracks, convent, hospital and factory, the Hôtel was a veritable city, governed by a military and religious system.
Not long after, a separate private chapel at the Invalides for exclusive use of the royal family was commissioned. This chapel was known as Église Saint-Louis des Invalides. The Dome was Paris’ tallest building until the Eiffel Tower was erected.
Napoleon inspected the place and visited his men numerous times during his reign. In 1815, after Napoleon’s abdication, over 5,000 survivors of the Great Army were listed in the Hôtel des Invalides. Napoléon had been buried on Saint Helena since he died in 1821, but King Louis-Philippe ordered the emperor’s body be returned to France in 1840. A law passed that same year ordered the construction of the Emperor’s tomb below the dome of the Invalides.
Over eighty designs were submitted, but the government chose the one that created an “open crypt” surrounded by an ambulatory. The Tomb of Napoleon I is a sarcophagus sculpted from red quartzite that rests on a base of green granite. The work was finished in 1853 but Napoleon’s ashes were not transferred until 1861. The Emperor’s remains are contained inside 4 coffins made of noble materials such as ebony, lead, mahogany, and white steel
This history has informed the experiences that visitors can have throughout the rest of the Dôme des Invalides as well as in the Musée de L’Armée.
Historical Collections, Members of the House of Bonaparte and More
The Musée de l’Armée is a national military museum of France and holds 500,000 artifacts, including weapons, armor, artillery, uniforms, emblems and paintings, exhibited in an area of 12,000 m². Items in the “historical collections” section encapsulate a chronological tour from ancient times through the end of World War II. It has identified 24 aesthetic, technical and symbolic “treasures,” which are all closely linked to French military history from the late Middle Ages through to World War II.
The Dôme des Invalides holds the remains of multiple military leaders and members of the House of Bonaparte, including Napoleon’s brothers Joseph and Jérôme Bonaparte as well as his son Napoleon II. There are many other notable features in this area as well, including Napoleon’s Angels, which are twelve grave-faced marble angels guard the emperor’s tomb. Cloaked in draping clothing, all appear to have a shocked, unbelieving look on their faces.
In addition to the direct revenue from admissions, there is also a gift shop at a the museum and items specifically associated with Napoléon are for sale. The shop contains a variety of gifts, while events of all types take place throughout the year. Additionally, efforts associated with the restoration and refurbishment of the monuments throughout the Musée de L’Armée include a major exhibition, concerts, talks and many other events, highlighting how such landmarks can drive fundraising initiatives.
Many museums feature history that is similar to the type contained in the Musée de l’Armée, but the Dôme des Invalides provides an entirely distinct reason for people to visit, which is evident in how the museum is included in the Paris Pass which gives visitors free entry to the tomb and military history museum. That impact underscores how museums can extend and expand upon the value they offer to both residents and visitors.
Celebrating the Legacy of France
While many of the most distinguished members of French society are entombed in the Panthéon, Napoléon Bonaparte’s presence under the Dôme des Invalides and as part of the Musée de L’Armée signifies the tremendous impact he has had on the history of France and the entire world. By highlighting what it can mean for a museum to be about more than artifacts and exhibitions, the Dôme des Invalides has created a whole new level of engagement for both residents and visitors.
