I thought the room with Napoleon's tomb alone was impressive even if he was (in some people's minds) a "criminal."

Hmmm...Perhaps 'criminal' is a bit harsh. 'Warlord' is maybe more accurate. Sort of like 'criminal' but on a wholesale basis.

Even if you are not a Napoleon fan, seeing Les Invalides is certainly impressive. It is a memorial to not only France's greatest leader, Napoleon, but also other French military heroes (i.e. Ferdinand Foch - WWI marshall). It could at least be 1 hour or so of your day, then on to other activities in the 7th Arr while around there.

Nessie --

Well then it appears that David's painting reflects Napoleon's view of himself rather than that of the French people. Doesn't "Le Sacre" mean "The Rite"?

I merely meant to suggest, in as mordant a way as possible, that people with broad interests might find a visit to Les Invalide rewarding.

And now I think I'll bow out.

yes!!!! it's very interesting,The museum has alot of pictures and weapons and it explains about the history, also is a very nice break from all the other sights, the crowds, lines, etc...The place is big and luxurious.. the French love Napoleon!

In the Invalides i loved seeing Napoleon's stuffed dog!

LOL Seaurchin! his horsie and his doggie, any more pets?

Recently, I read this and it made me think of something I had heard a long time ago, &quot;<i>In 1940 his remains were transferred, to France from Hitler ( from Vienna) to the dome of Les Invalides in Paris.He now rests beside his father. His heart remains in Vienna, and &quot;his viscera are in urn 76 of the Ducal Crypt in Vienna.&quot;</i>
Queasy now ?
...has anyone heard of another part of his body being buried somewhere else? or is that someone else? or some other body part? lol

no, sacre doesn't mean &quot;rite&quot; in French. Rite means rite in French.

I assume this is the same root as the adjective sacr&ecirc;, meaning sacred. As a noun, it means consecration most directly, I think, but is the word used for a coronation. That is not synonymous with just the word rite.

We saw Les Invalides this spring on my third trip to Paris and spent quite a lot of time there. At the entrance to the Holocaust wing, there are two carved angels with their heads bent, wings up to their faces, and tear drops falling. If ever anything truly depicted the phrase &quot;enough to make the angels weep,&quot; that was it.

My husband liked the military stuff better than I did, but I am glad we went.

&quot;no, sacre doesn't mean &quot;rite&quot; in French. Rite means rite in French.&quot;

Oh, sorry. I was thinking of &quot;Le Sacre du Printemps.&quot;

However, your translation of coronation works much better.

Well, my husband and I liked it, too--the tomb as well as the museum.

We are both interested in the history of World Wars (I and II), but he knows a lot more about them than I do.

For years, one of his favorite tales has been of the Paris taxis which were used to transport French troops up to fight the Germans in the Battle of the Marne, thereby saving Paris.

Imagine our delight when we saw in the WWI area one of the taxis! It's in a big glass case.

Actually, we've been to the museum twice, and the friends we took with us last year enjoyed it all as much as we did.

And, by the way, one way we got our friends interested in going was by telling them they would see Napoleon's horse and dog!

Byrd

Incidentally, Napoleon did not like dogs and had a hard enough time as it was dealing with Josephine's dog, Fortune'. I wonder what dog it was anyway?! I have been to Les Invalides numerous times and have not seen the animals before. LOL :)

Scarlett, your excerpt is referring to the King of Rome, also known as the Duke of Reischstad, who was Napoleon's son -- NOT Napoleon. The child was taken with his mother, Empress Marie Louisa, to Vienna following Napoleon's abdication. Coincidentally, he was poisoned which was why he died at such a young age (21) by Royalists who feared another Napoleon on the French throne. His death has been historically attributed to &quot;tuberculosis&quot; but research has proven it to be far more sinister (poisoned). Ironically enough, getting his body (not Marie Louisa's) transferred from Vienna to rest near the remains of his famous father Napoleon in Les Invalides was a feat of nearly international proportions. It created quite a diplomatic brouha but Hitler cleverly determined to proceed with the body transfer so he would look good in the eyes of the Frenchmen. That proved to be short-lived as WWII commenced.