The Invalides is not hosting a Christmas Market this year but a lovely program to please everyone. Saint Barbara Day, entertainments, illuminated dome, guided tours and Escape Game await you from December 15 to 31, 2017.
The Hotel national des Invalides offers a lovely program of the Holidays. Show, visits and even an Escape Game are on the menu for the curious visitors you are.
What to expect:
- Saint Barbara Day on December 16 and 17, 2017 from 2 p.m.
Invalides Main Courtyard – free
As it happens each year, the Invalides celebrates the patron saint of artillerymen through a unique living show. A show free of charge and for everyone offering entertainments and demonstrations including horses, brass band, cannon-car, jeeps… showing soldiers’ daily lives. Unique! A mobile kitchen will also allow you to discover the implementation of the logistical support during the operations.
For these two days, Saint Barbara special guided tours (€12/adult, €7/under 18) are offered. On Saturday December 16 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Sunday December 17 at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Go and discover artillery guns, portraits and elements related to artillery with a speaker from the museum.
- In the shoes of a Roman soldier, on December 21, 23 and 28, 2017
Invalides Main Courtyard
Armed with a Roman shield (scutum), take part in maneuvers in the Cour d’Honneur.
Access without prior reservation allowed, within the limit of the number of places available and upon presentation of your entrance ticket to the museum.
- In the shoes of a soldier from the Middle-Age, on December 30, 2017
Invalides Main Courtyard
Discover the daily life of the soldiers in Paris in the 12th century under the reign of Philip Augustus.
Access without prior reservation allowed, within the limit of the number of places available and upon presentation of your entrance ticket to the museum.
- Firing: attacking the Main Courtyard, from December 23 to 30 except on December 24 and 25
Invalides Main Courtyard
Explore and work a teaching trebuchet. Will you be skilled enough to meet the target 131 feet away?
Access without prior reservation allowed, within the limit of the number of places available (children from 8 to 15).
- The dome of lights, from December 15 to 31 (except on 24 and 25) at 4:30 p.m.
At sunset and until 7:30 p.m., come and attend to an exceptional light and sound show on the Eglise du Dôme and the tomb of Napoleon I.
Tickets on sale at the museum checkout and online at www.musee-armée.fr
- Visits of the dome are also scheduled at 4 p.m. Make the best of it to crack the secrets of the Dome and the tomb of Napoleon I, its construction and history.
- At the school of Princes, from December 15, 2017 to March 5, 2018
Discover about the prince education at the Imperial court!
Guided and educational tours “At the School of Princes” on December 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 at 2 p.m.
To know everything about young princes’ education from the Middle-Age to the 19th century.
Mandatory booking.
Told visits “Napoléon Bonaparte: the story and the legend” on December 16 & 23 at 2:30 p.m.
Napoleon Bonaparte’s life will have no more secret!
Mandatory booking.
- Escape Game on December 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29 and 31 at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Here’s an activity likely to delight everyone. An Escape Game within the Invalides! In the prestigious Turenne room, come and try solving enigmas and mechanisms in order to hunt Louis XIV’s, Napoleon’s and De Gaulle’s ghosts…
All public, Turenne room (ground floor – east wing)
Duration: 1 hour
Mandatory booking, entertainment in French for 7 to 8 persons maximum per team.
Rate: €12/€7 for people under 18
- Christmas concerts on December 16, 17, 18, 19 and 22 (duration: 1 hour, no intermission, rates: €12/adult and €7/children under 18)
A musical and festive program for children and adults in exceptional venues.
- Cathédrale Saint-Louis des Invalides
- Great concert band of the Musique des Troupes de Marine performing: the Toy Symphony by Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Jacques Prévert…, on Saturday December 16 at 5 p.m.
- Great chamber orchestra of the Nouvelle Europe, Saturday December 17 at 5 p.m.
- Turenne room
- Wind Quintet of the Musique des Troupes de Marine performing Debussy, Rimsky-Korsakov, Haydn, Ravel… on Monday December 18, at 12:15 p.m.
- Brass Quintet of the Musique des Troupes de Marine performing Irish Medley, Christmas Crackers… on Tuesday December 19, at 12:15 p.m.
- Grand Salon
- String Quartet of the French Land Forces, on Friday December 22 at 12:15 p.m.
In short, here’s a lovely program for delightful discoveries.
Practical information:
Christmas at the Invalides
At the Invalides
From December 15 to 31, 2017
Opening hours: everyday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
