On 18 June, 1815, the Battle of Waterloo sounded the death knell for the Empire. Napoleon, defeated, set out on the road to exile. But fearful of a repeat of the Hundred Days, the British government selected the tiny volcanic island of St Helena, lost in the middle of the South Atlantic, as the Emperor’s final destination. The Emperor landed with his most faithful companions and settled at Longwood House, a modest dwelling (putting it mildly) where he would end his days.
Organized around the International appeal for the restoration of Longwood House and its contents, this exhibition, “Napoleon on St Helena: His fight for his story”, offers a unique opportunity to admire the furniture that surrounded the Emperor at the time of his death. The last vestiges of Empire that Napoleon had managed to take with him stand out in stark contrast to the poverty of his status as a prisoner. What then remains of the Emperor, what remains of the man? It was here that Napoleon embarked on his last battle – that for his story. Even before his death there on 5 May 1821, St Helena was – perhaps most importantly – the place where he would write his own legend.
This exhibition produced by the Musée de l’Armée, is organized with the support of the Fondation Napoléon, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, The French Domains of St Helena, the Musée National des châteaux de Malmaison et Bois-Préau, the Government of St Helena and the CIC, privileged partner of the Musée de l’Armée.
Open every day from 10am – 6pm.
More information on the website of the Musée de l’Armée.
Musée de l’Armée
Hôtel National des Invalides,
129 rue de Grenelle
75007 Paris
France
Language(s) : French / English