The Hôtel des Invalides in Paris, commonly called ‘Les Invalides’, is a historic complex in the 7th arrondissement of Paris that includes museums, monuments, and military institutions. Originally built as a hospital and retirement home for war veterans, today it houses the Musée de l’Armée, the Musée de l’Ordre de la Libération, the Musée des Plans-Reliefs, and the Musée d’Histoire Contemporaine. The site also features the Cathedral of Saint-Louis-des-Invalides and the ‘golden’ Dôme des Invalides, which contains the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte and other notable French military figures like Marshall Foch.
The Order of the Liberation
The Museum of the Order of the Liberation is dedicated to France’s Ordre de la Libération, which is the nation’s second highest order after the Légion d’honneur. Established in 1940 by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French Forces, the order is meant to reward civilian and military communities or individuals who distinguished themselves in efforts to liberate France and the French Empire. This honour is not limited to French nationals alone. Notable are Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower, who also appear among the list of names.
The Order of Liberation has only one title, that of Companion of the Liberation, and a single insignia, the Cross of Liberation. During its existence, over a thousand Crosses of Liberation have been awarded to individuals, military units and French communes. This limited number makes the award the most prestigious French distinction for World War II.
The insignia, the Cross of Liberation, was designed in early 1941 by Lieutenant of the Free French Forces Tony Mella and the model produced by the London branch of the jeweller Cartier.
Museum exhibition
In 1967 De Gaulle moved the Order of the Liberation into Les Invalides. It spans three galleries and six rooms, covering about 1,000 square meters, and traces the history of the Free French movement, the Resistance, and the concentration camps. Its collection of over 4,000 items includes uniforms, weapons, underground publications, communication equipment, and battle flags mainly donated by the members themselves. A special Hall of Honor pays tribute to General de Gaulle and his role in France’s liberation.
Because most of the collection belonged to the Order of the Liberation recipients, information signs often tell the personal stories behind the items on display.
Visit
You can visit the Musée de l’Ordre de la Libération at the Hôtel des Invalides on the 129 rue de Grenelle, 75007 in Paris, France. Check the museum website for opening hours and more information.
