Paris: The Birthday Trip - Day 7 (part 1)

We usually have breakfast as soon as the hotel dining room opens and set out almost immediately after we've eaten. The inevitable consequence is that we are going to find ourselves strolling around the environs of a few places before they open for visitors. This morning we found ourselves in that situation when we went to Les Invalides, by all accounts a remarkable museum.

One benefit of arriving before the crowds is having the grounds almost entirely to ourselves. There were a few other visitors and, like us, they must have been enjoying the opportunity to walk around the site in the early morning peace and quiet for we all managed to avoid converging on the same point of interest at the same time. I wonder if the early morning tourist is a type unto itself?

Like so many buildings in Paris, Les Invalides has a long and remarkable story (you can look it up on the 'net rather than have me rambling on about it). From the dome, under which lies Napoleon's tomb, to the Musee d'Armee, and to the many sculptures to be found throughout the grounds and on the buildings, you can't escape the sense of a nation justifiably proud of its military history.

Unfortunately, time is finite, seldom more noticeably so than when you are on a fixed-length trip and the return flight is already booked, and so we have had to accept that we aren't going to see everything we would like to see in one visit. Les Invalides will have to be added to our list of reasons for another trip to Paris.

Our next stop is going to be The Musée Rodin. And once again I am going to be overwhelmed.

image-left: 'Vive L'Empereur!'

centre: Napoleon's statue overlooks the Cour d'honneur.
left and right: Unidentified figures at the Musée de l'Armée.