To the French Napoleon is still a national hero and not a murdering land grabbing dictator that had to be stopped. They have buried his body in a magnificent tomb attached to the Hotel des Invalides. My wife who has no interest in military matters was blown away by the spectacle.

It should be on every tourists list of must visit places. It is on the south bank of the river Seine just a short walk west of the Lourve Palace. The northern entrance can be found on Avenue de Tourville.

You cannot miss the building where Napoleon's Tomb can be found. Just look for the large bright gold dome. There are a number of Metro Stations nearby : Latour-Maubourg, Varenne, Invalides, or St-Francois-Xavier.

The Emperor Napoleon died from poisoning in exile on the island of St Helena 5th May 1821. He was buried on the island until 1840 when King Louis-Philippe decided to transfer the body back to Paris.

The body of the Emperor Napoleon I was finally laid to rest in his new tomb in the gold domed church of Hotel des Invalides in 1861. The Dome Church also houses two of Napoleon's brothers, Jerome and Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon's son, as well as Marshals Ferdinand Foch Allied Supreme Commander World War I and Sebastien Le Prestre de Vauban's heart.

Vauban is one of my heros. He changed the landscape of Europe. He used science to bring a revolution in the design of military fortifications. Because of his work in the mid 1600's tall castles were no longer constructed. Low walled star shaped forts that gave better protection from artillery sprung up all over Europe.

The Hotel des Invalides also houses the Musee de l'Armee, the military museum of the Army of France, the Musee des Plans-Reliefs, and the Musee d'Histoire Contemporaine. Even if you are not interested in military history you must visit the Napoleonic section of the Musee de l'Armee even if it is just to see the attractive gaudy uniforms of Napoleon's Army. You can also see his uniform including that famous black hat. It brings history alive.

In 1670 King Lois XIV ordered that a hospital and church be built in Paris to help aged and unwell soldiers. It became the magnificent Hotel des Invalides. Not to be out done in 1682 King Charles II of England ordered the Royal Hospital In Chelsea to be built and in 1694 King William of England ordered the military hospital in Greenwich to be constructed.

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