Audio GuideTomb of Napoleon

Welcome to the Tomb of Napoleon I at Les Invalides in Paris. This magnificent site is the resting place of Napoleon, whose remains were brought back from Saint Helena through the efforts of King Louis Philippe I and his minister Adolphe Thiers during the mid-nineteenth century. The narrative of this repatriation reflects a desire to reclaim national heritage and pay tribute to a figure who significantly shaped French history.

Zsolt Horváth

Upon entering the grand painted dome, you will discover a circular crypt designed by the architect Louis Visconti. The entrance, adorned with statues called atlantes, sculpted by Francisque Joseph Duret, leads you into a space where a gallery, supported by twelve pillars, features ten large relief panels by Pierre-Charles Simart. These panels depict Napoleon’s key accomplishments and contributions, including the creation of the Napoleonic Code and significant public works, as well as his famed return from exile.

Rahukaran Kamalanathan

At the heart of the crypt lies a grand sarcophagus made from purple Shoksha quartzite, sourced from Russian Karelia. It rests upon a base crafted from green granite from the Vosges and black marble from Sainte-Luce, chosen for their elegance and the cultural connections they symbolise. The construction took more than two decades, hindered by setbacks such as the passing of the initial architect and delays from competing projects, concluding with a formal inauguration by Emperor Napoleon III in the year eighteen sixty-one.

Today, the site also features contemporary elements like the Memento Marengo installation, a remarkable tribute linking historical legacy with modern artistic expression. The tomb resides in a complex that honours not only Napoleon but also his brothers and other prominent individuals, making Les Invalides a rich celebration of history and art.