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David against Goliath, Athos against d’Artagnan, Chirac against Mitterrand, Federer against Nadal and Harry Potter against Voldemort, etc. from ancient Egyptian times to the present day, from East to West, men have fought in duels throughout history and in fiction: so to resolve a dispute, seek redress or simply for the sake of their honour, two adversaries met in single combat, staged according to very precise rules.
A duel is a form of scheduled, ritualised, even choreographed and legitimised violence: it complies with a protocol which, depending upon the era and the country, has been more or less authorised.

Practiced, tolerated or condemned, but always appreciated, the duel is a genuine social phenomenon which has crossed borders and travelled down the ages. Ferocious, flamboyant, serious or spectacular, this mode of confrontation is ever present, in various forms, in the world of politics, sports, arts and video games.

Located in the heart of the Hôtel National des Invalides, the Musée de l’Armée invites visitors to explore the history of France across some 15,000 m², from the angle of military life and war. A museum of history, fine arts and science and technology all in one, the institution was created in 1905 and conserves one of the world’s finest military history collections, containing almost 500,000 items (uniforms, weapons, armour, drawings, paintings, photographs, etc.) from the Bronze Age to the 21^st century. It also invites the public to discover the famous Les Invalides Dôme, which houses Napoleon I’s tomb.
With some 1.2 million visitors a year, the Musée de l’Armée is one of Paris’ most popular museums.

Located in the heart of the Hôtel National des Invalides, the Musée de l’Armée invites visitors to explore the history of France across some 15,000 m², from the angle of military life and war. A museum of history, fine arts and science and technology all in one, the institution was created in 1905 and conserves one of the world’s finest military history collections, containing almost 500,000 items (uniforms, weapons, armour, drawings, paintings, photographs, etc.) from the Bronze Age to the 21^st century. It also invites the public to discover the famous Les Invalides Dôme, which houses Napoleon I’s tomb.
With some 1.2 million visitors a year, the Musée de l’Armée is one of Paris’ most popular museums.

The Musée de l’Armée, with over 1.2 million visitors per year, is among the ten most visited museums in France. The public is invited to discover the Hôtel des Invalides and its famous Dôme, which houses the tomb of Napoleon I, and to explore the history of France through its collections. The establishment, founded in 1905, holds one of the world’s finest military history collections, with some 500,000 pieces, from the Bronze Age to the 21^st century. Guided tours and educational workshops, temporary exhibitions, conferences and seminars, film screenings, shows, concerts and events are held throughout the year.

2021 marks the 200^th anniversary of the death of Emperor Napoleon I. For the occasion, the Musée de l’Armée and the Fondation Napoléon are proposing a cultural season entirely dedicated to this major figure in France’s history at the Invalides. A restored necropolis, a reinvented permanent exhibition tour, a large heritage exhibit, and for the very first time at the Musée de l’Armée, the work of contemporary artists to question Napoleon’s legacy… plenty of opportunities to discover or rediscover the person who has been resting under the Dôme since 1840, “in the midst of the French people, whom [he has] loved so well”.

In view of the bicentenary of the death of Napoleon I, on 5 May 2021, the Musée de l’Armée and the Fondation Napoléon joined forces to launch an international appeal to restore the places at the Invalides dedicated not only to the memory of the Emperor Napoleon but also to that of his brothers Joseph and Jerome, the former King of Naples and then of Spain, and the latter King of Westphalia and later governor of Les Invalides. 2,310 donors generously answered the call and in difficult circumstances helped raise €836,960 (over and above the target of €800,000).

Exhibition from September 19 2020 to January 3 2021

In 2020, the Musée de l’Armée celebrates the 350^th anniversary of the establishment of the Invalides by Louis XIV. Three centuries later, its primary purpose lives on with the Institution Nationale des Invalides which houses a hospital and a nursing home where veterans, military personnel injured in service or during overseas operations, civilian victims of war or terrorism, as well as wounded civilians are welcomed and cared for. The photojournalist Philippe de Poulpiquet was commissioned by the Musée de l’Armée to observe the day-to-day life of the men and women who work and live there. With two separate tours throughout the site of the Invalides, the exhibition Invalides: Memories of War questions the war after the war and emphasises the role of carers during this other battle.

Temporary exhibition from Septembre 17 2020 to January 10 2021

The year 1940 was a decisive episode in France’s history. To help visitors grasp the issues at play in 1940, the Musée de l’Armée is presenting an intimate exhibition which recreates the atmosphere of that dreadful year. It covers everything from the Phony War to year-end events, including the Battle of France, Appeal of 18 June and creation of the Vichy government.

Temporary exhibition from April 5 to July 28, 2019

Picasso's entire life (1881–1973) was marked by major conflicts, from the Cuban War of Independence to the Vietnam War, which came to an end two years after his death. The exhibition, organised by the Musée de l'Armée and the Musée National Picasso-Paris, takes a brand-new look at the various ways that warfare informed and impacted Picasso’s creative output throughout his career.

1.2 million visitors in 2018

The Musée de l'Armée welcomed 1,208,199 visitors in 2018. This is an increase in visitor numbers of 2.7% , confirming its place among France's most popular museums again this year.

Temporary exhibition from 6 April to 22 July 2018