Other than the Eiffel Tower, Napoleon's Tomb was probably the most spectacular sight in Paris, and it wasn't something we even planned on seeing. We visited it on our second to last day in Paris, and in fact we only went to see it because it was included free with our admission to Hotel des Invalides. Had we not seen it, I wouldn't even know to kick myself for missing it.

This place feels larger than life. Everything is made from marble, the ornate ceilings are painted beautifully, the sarcophaguses are artfully crafted, and the stained glass windows are richly colored. When you enter, you have the giant crucifix straight ahead on the opposite end. In the middle of the room is the giant 14-foot sarcophagus of Napoleon II, but you can't see it at first because it lies recessed in a giant pit that measures roughly 50 feet across and 25 feet deep. Surrounding the sarcophagus are 12 giant statues that watch over his body like guardian angels. Several smaller rooms off to the sides house smaller sarcophaguses containing the bodies of other members of Napoleon's family.