If there’s one form of confrontation that has existed since the beginning of time, it’s the duel. Pistols at dawn, swords or sometimes even just fisticuffs… man has always confronted man to prove a point or settle a squabble.

However, duels were very different from country to country, and evolved over the years. Plus, they are present in other environments than sports, such as politics and literature (Harry Potter vs. Voldemort!)

The Army Museum, not far from our hotels, takes a look at this very particular type of confrontation, a one-man battle, in its new exhibition.

Authorised or forbidden, fair or futile, the duel has always been revered for its flamboyancy and ferociousness. The exhibition Duels – The Art of Fighting goes back to the origins of this form of confrontation, looks at some of the most famous duelists and dissects the subject in ten themed sections:

1. To each their own duel. The classic idea of a duel and the reasons to conduct one.

2. An initiatory rite. Showing one’s merit or ideals through a duel.

3. The four types of duel. Heroic, potentially fatal, honourable and… fencing, a sport directly derived from duelling.

4. Duels and legislation. Officially forbidden but very popular among the nobility, the duel is tolerated to solve that which the law cannot.

5. Literature and the scenic arts. Heavily present in novels, plays and films, the drama of a duel is often a key moment in a storyline.

6. The military duel. To show one’s strength and valour, there’s nothing better than a duel.

7. The sporting duel. Sometimes, it’s not enough just to kill a man – you have to do it with panache.

8. Duels vs. brawls. Two ways to settle a dispute, two very distinct sets of rules.

9. Choose your weapon. Shining swords, ornate guns… The beauty of the tools of a duel.

10. Advertising a duel. Publicly announcing a duel that is is not strictly speaking legal is not without its pitfalls. And yet, posters and advertising exists to attract a crowd.

And in addition to these sections, two subjects are explored in detail – the famous samurai duel between Miyamoto and Sasaki on 13th April 1612, and women duelists, some of whom were quite famous…

Linked with the exhibition, you might be interested in:

— guided visits for adults and children (7-12 year-olds), a special guide for young visitors and an audioguide in English (5€),

— a number of conferences and five film showings,

— around fifteen concerts 😳, often involving two duelling musicians!,

— free entrance to the exhibition from evening to midnight for the Museum Night even on 18th May 2024, with a breakdance battle promised!

A catalogue of the exhibition (336 pages, 275 illustrations) in French is also available here for 35€ at your local amazon.

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The exhibition Duels. L’art du combat (Duels – The Art of Fighting) is at the Army Museum (here) from 24th April – 18th August 2024

Open every day from 10am – 6pm (10pm the first Friday of each month). Closed 1st May

Admission: 15€ / 12€ / free for under-18s

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Une publication partagée par Musée de l'Armée – Invalides (@museearmee_invalides)