- August 2, 2008: A Fair, A Visit and Some Bowling
- July 21, 2008: All Aboard...
- July 13, 2008: Lotus Festival
- July 8, 2008: Jason's New Ride
- July 1, 2008: Dino's 1st Disneyland Trip
- June 26, 2008: Farewell Belmont
- June 25, 2008: Summer Job
- June 21, 2008: Graduation
- June 13, 2008: Teen Angst
- June 9, 2008: Furloughed?
Blogroll
Hotel des Invalides
The rain didn’t stop me today from traveling into Paris to see the Hotel des Invalides, which is a hospital/home for disabled French war veterans, houses the Musee de l’Armee (Army Museum), and the Dome Church.
To be honest, I chose this place today because it was raining and I figured I could be inside most of the time, but I actually found the Army Museum fascinating and spent much more time there than I thought I would. The first part of the museum shows weapons and armor from the Stone Age through the end of World War II. My travel guide mentioned that this is one of the most comprehensive military museums in the world, and I dare not doubt that claim. They have armor from around the world, infant armor, (I kid you not), horse armor, canons, swords, daggers, bayonets, guns, you name it.
Here is one of my personal favorites. Nothing speaks the love of Jesus Christ like a dagger housed inside a crucifix.
Even better however, was the section dedicated to the two World Wars. Anyone who has even the slightest interest in either war should visit this exhibit given the chance.
It is informative and thorough with films, photographs, weapons, uniforms and maps. I was there for probably two hours but easily could have spent another.
Finally, I visited the Dome Church, also at the Hotel des Invalides. The church houses the tomb of Napolean Bonaparte, as well as other French military leaders of note.
It’s definitely the most elaborate tomb I’ve ever seen, but really lives up to the extravagance and pomp the man was known to represent. You know what they say… huge tomb, small ??? Ha ha. Only kidding.
Surprisingly, even though the hospital was opened in 1675, it holds the same purpose today, and elderly disabled French veterans still live there and wander about the property. Talk about some history.