Started by Prince Louis II and enlarged by Prince Rainier III, the Napoleonic collection of the Princely Palace of Monaco is exhibited in the southern wing of the building, on the ground floor. It is composed of one thousand various objects and documents and features a few exceptional items such as the flag of the battalion of Grenadiers of Elba. The red and white silk flag with three golden bees witnessed the beginning of the Cent-Jours and is absolutely unique.
There are several portraits of the Emperor and some imperial memorabilia, notably: a portrait by Gérard showing the Emperor in his coronation costume; a Sèvres porcelain bust by Houdon; red, white and blue scarves worn during the campaign in Italy (the Emperor is shown wearing such a scarf in “Napoleon on Arcola Bridge” by Gros); the knife used by Staps during his assassination attempt in Schönbrunn; a personal pennant; a hat worn in Marengo and a few small remains found on Saint-Helena Island (such as the leaves fallen below the weeping-willow near the Emperor's tomb).
Several objects recall the King of Rome: his white satin christening slippers embroidered with silk, his little batiste and lace dress, the toys of his childhood in Schönbrunn.
Visitors will also note the strange fragments of arms, spurs, pommels, antiquated sword ornaments picked up by corporal Jean-Ours Agostini on July 21st 1798 at the foot of the Pyramids, as well as a board listing all of the honorary distinctions created by Napoleon and the European sovereigns.