Musee de l"Armee, Paris

Not to shorten the brief time my wife and I would have to explore London and Paris and not to bore the wife with endless staring at old clothing and armor, I dedicated only one military museum per city.  For Paris it had to be the Musee de l'Armee (the Army Museum) located in the Hotel des Invalides situated conveniently near-ish the numerous other tourist locales.

the Invalides

The entrance.  One of the beautiful buildings of Paris.  I am certainly old school and do not think the steel and glass structures of today compare.

the courtyard

Displays of full size mounted cavalry.  Note the length of the room!

One of the countless collection of interesting militaria.  These are Napoleonic shako badges

An actual British Napoleonic era "stovepipe" shako.  This particular piece of headgear seems to be most poorly represented by many figure designers. Now we have a better idea with an original.

I had to add this photo, as looking at these bearskin metal front plates, the wife asked "What's with the 'tiaras'?  With a smile, she quickly added, "Yeah, yeah, I know, bearskin plates" (the French only descriptions would not help her cheat in this regard!)  Then almost to herself, "How the 'bleep' do I know that?"  giving me a scornful look.

While we lingered at the early periods and the Napoleonic eras, the museum has extensive other sections.  While the layout of the museum is not particularly easy to discover and the museum signage is not well conceived (except to mark the way out!) other rooms had other nations and eras. 

Russian dress uniforms c.1900

British c.mid 19th Century

I am studying the extensive Medieval and Renaissance armor collections. In another hallway there is a window through which you can view masses of miscellaneous armor parts piled apparently haphazardly upon wooden shelves.  It would make any 14th century duke shake in envy!

The World Wars were particularly well displayed which we toured through and of more interest with the wife as it seems more 'current' than the "old shit" I like.  Both of us would have liked to spend more time but having closing near and having spent six hours already (!) we were near the last to leave.  I missed the gift shop as it closed early but it did not seem all that impressive; the usual poor souvenir items, behind the glass.
Nevertheless, a remarkable collection for the military buff;  now off the wargamer in me 'bucket list'.

Horse Guards Museum, London

 Horse Guards Museum, London
A small but interesting museum of the history and current activities of the Household Regiments. 

Guard on duty. 

The museum had an example of the heavy boots which one could touch (and indeed wear!).  They have much the same suppleness as very tall stiff ski boots! We saw him walk with these and indeed, if one has ever walked to the chalet in tight ski boots, you get the idea.  Together with cuirass armour  ( which one could also handle.  Heavy indeed! ) and helmet, standing at attention with sword in hand, is an ordeal.

museum entrance

The current parade dress of the Life Guards and Household (Blues) Regiments. 

My wife standing in the Parade Grounds.  In the very heart of the city,  this courtyard is expensive real estate.

Along with the Guard infantry, they make it known that they are still a modern fighting force and active in current actions along with the pomp, large horses and shiny helmets.  In this, they are unique.