Paris 2025 - Napoleon's Tomb

 

Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte was First Consul of  France from the 13th December 1799 to 18th May 1804 when he was proclaimed Emperor. During his time as first Consul and Emperor he lead France to many victories' on the battlefield and extended French territory and influence into the Low Countries, Italy, Spain and Russia. 

The invasion of Russia in 1812 proved disastrous for Napoleon. He was forced to abdicate on 6th April 1814 and exiled to the island of Elba off the Italian coast. He returned to France and restored as Emperor on the 20th March 1815.  After defeat in the Battle of Waterloo on 18th June 1815 he abdicated for a second time. He was exiled to the island of St Helena, a British island in the Southern Atlantic Ocean. He died there on 5th May 1821 and his remains were interred on the island. 

In 1840  Louis Philippe I gained permission from Britain to return Napoleon's remains to France.  On 15 December 1840 a state funeral interred Napoleon in Les Invalides. 

Napoleon State Funeral 15th December 1840

In 1861, during the reign of Napoleon III, his remains were entombed in a sarcophagus in the crypt under the Dome at Les Invalides. 

Les Invalides Dome

Napoleons Tomb Les Invalides 

Napoleons Tomb Les Invalides 

Napoleons Tomb Les Invalides 

Napoleons Sarcophagus Les Invalides 

Napoleons Sarcophagus Les Invalides

Napoleons Tomb Les Invalides NVAA Contingent

 Les Invalides view to Eiffel Tower