Steel Cathedral: Inside Europe’s Greatest Aromory

#summervacay Armor & Weapons Hall: Knights, Kings & Steel Dreams Location: 2nd floor, Musée de l’Armée (Hôtel des Invalides). Collection: 230+ suits of armor and 1,500+ weapons spanning 1250–1700 CE — Europe’s largest display of its kind. Unmissable Highlights ⚔️ 1. The Cavalry Forest: → Dozens of full knight-and-horse armors arranged like a ghostly cavalry charge. → Star exhibit: François I’s parade armor (1540, etched with gold vines and mythical beasts). → Charles IX’s dolphin-shaped armor (made for a 10-year-old future king). 🛡️ 2. Kings & Queens Gallery: Henri II’s jousting armor (with lance dents!). Catherine de’ Medici’s tiny waist armor (feminine tailoring meets battlefield pragmatism). Louis XIII’s pearl-encrusted child armor. 🏹 3. Exotic & Curious: Ottoman turban-helmets and Persian chainmail. "Maximilian-style" fluted armor (designed to deflect bullets). Bear-faced jousting helmets for psychological warfare. 🔪 4. Weapons as Art: Ceremonial crossbows inlaid with ivory. Rapiers with crystal pommels (Renaissance bling). Axe-pistol hybrids (Swiss multitasking madness). Pro Tips for Conquering the Hall 🎯 Strategy: Visit early/late (opens 10 AM) — morning light floods the hall, making armors gleam. Start at the center (kingly armors), then spiral outward to thematic niches. 🔍 Secret Details: Look for symbols etched on breastplates: Lions = courage, griffins = divine power. Spot repair marks (e.g., bullet dents on 16th-century "bulletproof" armor). Find the "Green Knight" armor (Room 10) — its verdigris patina is natural corrosion! 📸 Photo Hacks: Shoot down the central aisle for a "knight army" perspective. Capture reflections in visors/breastplates (low-angle shots work best). No flash allowed — use natural light from arched windows. 👶 Fun for Kids: Free "Knight Quest" booklet (ask at entrance) with armor trivia and a dragon to find! 🎧 Audio Guide: Worth €6 — stories of jousting disasters, royal fashion wars, and metallurgy secrets. 🔗 Combo Move: After armor, descend to Napoleon’s Tomb (same ticket) → contrast medieval might with imperial grandeur. Key Logistics Hours: 10 AM–6 PM (July–Sept till 9 PM). Tickets: Included in €15 Army Museum combo pass (book online). Metro: La Tour-Maubourg (Line 😎 / Invalides (RER C). Dress Code: None, but channel your inner Lannister.