Military Museum Blog: Musee de l'Armee, Paris

On 24th February 1670, the French king, Louis XIV founded the Hotel des Invalides as a hostel for his war veterans. The elaborate building provided accommodation, employment and medical services for destitute or disabled soldiers. Inevitably, a collection of uniforms and militaria began to accumulate as veterans passed away, leaving their often meagre possessions to the institution. The Invalides still performs this function today.

Louis XIV spared no expense on the Invalides as part of his renovation of Paris.

Grand entrance way

View into the courtyard.

15th century armour

Royal armory display

Rearing destrier

Gilt edged armour

Uniform collection from the Napoleonic War era.

Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1 May 1633 – 30 March 1707) was a French military par excellence. He was responsible for building fortifications for strategic towns, ports and cities across the country.

High quality relief models were constructed in the 17th century so that the layout of these important fortifications could be understood by the royal court. These models were later abandoned in an attic until stumbled over. They have since been fully restored and are on display in the Vauban exhibition.

Star shaped fortresses were developed in response to the advent of artillery and musketry.

The collection has it's own webpage here: http://www.museedesplansreliefs.culture.fr/

Great War Renault FT light tank.

All the combatants started the war wearing turn of the century uniforms that were more practical for parades than actual combat.

More uniforms from 1914.

German helmets and head wear at the start of the war.

The famous Renault taxis of Paris that were pressed into service to rush troops to the Battle of the Marne in 1914.

Custom German trench armor

French and German helmets

French uniforms from 1915

The Second World War - Nazi Germany and Vichy France as partners

Nazi party member uniform

Panzer II turret. France's unexpected collapse in 1940 led to the creation of a number of myths to explain the loss. One of those myths was that Germany's Panzer forces were far superior to French and British forces, smashing through their lines like an armoured fist. This was only partly true. The majority of German Panzer forces were virtually obsolete Panzer I and IIs scouting tanks. The French and British forces were defeated because they used outdated tactics and did not react quickly enough to the rapidly changing battlefield.

French Renault tank turret with a short barrelled 35mm cannon.

Photograph from the French surrender in 1940

The division of the spoils. Germany re-annexed Alsace and Lorraine. Paris and the coastal regions were occupied by German troops. Italy seized some of the border region in Savoy. Central France, including the Mediterranean coast was fully under the control of the Vichy government.

Renault light gun carrier.

German PAK artillery piece

The V1 Buzzbomb. Effectively the world's first cruise missile. These flying drones were launched at Britain from specially built facilities constructed in northern France.