France - Paris Again Day 2 - Musee de l'Armee Overview and Napoleon's Tomb

 Constructed in 1678, this place of rest for veterans of wars was the idea of King Louis the Fourteenth. He did not want the men who fought under his command to suffer without medical attention. In 1789, it was attacked and guns taken that were used in the storming of the Bastille. In 1840, Napoleon was interred here. In 1872 the Artillery museum was founded here and in 1896 the Historical Museum of the Armies was founded here. In 1905 the museums were merged and the veterans dispersed to other facilities outside of Paris. There still are facilities for retired and disabled veterans here with the stipulation that retired vetrens have 20 years or more of service.

Under the dome is Napoleon's tomb. He is surrounded by sad female statues.

 A chapel was built for the occasion and is quite majestic and a little opulent.

 The marble and stone work for some of the floor section are masterful.

 There are many murals, with Napoleon as the central figure, doing grand things. Here he is giving the civil code to make men equal while baring his chest and having rays of enlightenment shooting out of his head.

This is the tomb of Napoleon the second. He did not have a long reign and had to abdicate.

Under the dome are many other tombs. Come and visit to see.