Friday, November 2, 2012

Musée de l'Armée




Musée de l'Armée


In my trips to Paris I had prowled the grounds of Les Invalides but had never explored this national military museum of France.  It was originally built as a hospital and home for disabled soldiers by Louis XIV.  The museum holds 500,000 artifacts and includes weapons, armor, artillery, uniforms, emblems and paintings. 


 The permanent collections are organized chronologically giving a historic tour from antiquity through the end of World War II.  There is considerable focus on Napoleon with less on the role of France during the last world war.


The display of weapons and uniforms over the centuries is fascinating.


Musée de l'Armée
129, rue de Grenelle
75007, Paris
Métros Varenne ou École Militaire


17 comments:

Sylvia K said...

What a great museum and so much history!! Would love to visit there! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Genie! Enjoy!

Hugs
Sylvia

Randy said...

What a wonderful exhibit.

French Girl in Seattle said...

Bonjour Genie. I always send my students to le Musée de l'Armée. There is something there for everyone. The architecture alone is worth the trip. The collections are "the icing on the cake." :-) My dad - who is a Napoleon I fan - used to take me and my cousins to the dome where the Emperor rests, and had us observe a minute of silence in front of the great man! We always have a good laugh remembering this! As for the Sun King, who had l'Hôtel des Invalides built for his crippled soldiers, I'd say this was the least he could do: He spent most of his long reign at war with other nations! Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

黄清华 Wong Ching Wah said...

500,000 is a lot of items !

Joe said...

It is a wonderful exhibit. Couldn't imagine wearing those breeches though. All hail the invention of elastic.

martinealison said...

Ma chère Génie, j'ai manqué plusieurs de tes publications. Aussi aujourd'hui je découvre avec délice l'ensembles de tes belles photos.
Celle avec la fontaine et cette jeune femme en veste de fourrure offre un spectacle de cabaret...
Un pique-nique sur les bords de Seine me semble être un agréable moment de partage et cette toute dernière m'apprends quelque chose car je ne suis jamais aller visiter ce musée.
Je te souhaite une très agréable journée.
Gros bisous

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Genie:
it is most interesting what you say here about the absence of over much dealing with France's involvement in more modern warfare in this museum. We should have thought that the German Occupation of so much of the country in the early years of World War II would have provided a wealth of fascinating material.

Daryl said...

adding this to my list of must see if i ever get to paris

Harriet said...

Monsieur looks very life-like standing there in those skinny leg breeches!

Kristie said...

I bet this was interesting and informative. Look at how stylish the military uniforms are...even during war time the French knows how to dress!! Very stylish dress!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! :)

Starman said...

Another of the many places I meant to visit...but didn't.

Pet said...

The French, always so elegant!

Rob-bear said...

What an interesting find, Genie. Glad you had fun. And those uniforms look magnificent!

Over here, six inches of snow last night.

Lynne with an e said...

I do love the face on the model! It has a slightly Monty Pythonesque feel to it.

M said...

Love the way the uniforms are all lined up!

Gail, northern California said...

Whew! I never comment but yesterday when I tried to open your blog, it was GONE. I said to myself, "I should have told her how much I enjoy my daily visit to Paris. What she gives us is a rare gift."

There. I said it, and I'm glad.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Gail, yours was the first comment I found after my blog was restored. Thank you for letting me know... It really does matter.

Joe, I think you mean lycra - hah!

Veronique, I love thinking about your dad with the "moment of silence." Each country and culture has much to be revered. I'll think of you and your brother the next time I am there.

Jane and Lance, I think that it is more about the admiration of Napoleon.

To all, if you get a chance, it is worth spending several hours here as there is something for everyone.

My blog was "removed" on the date of the posting. Thank you to all who commented before it disappeared!

Bises,
Genie