Napoleon's grave

Napoleon is universally known as one of the greatest military geniuses of all times.

Born in Corsica , an island in between France and Italy, on August 15^th 1769, from a modest family, he became French emperor on December 2^nd 1804. He had conquered most of continental Europe by 1810.

This was made possible by the new opportunities opened by the 1789 French revolution and by Napoleon's incredible military skills and charism.

Napoleon was ultimately defeated in 1815 by English general Wellington at Waterloo in Belgium.

On May 5^th 1821, Napoleon died on Saint Helena, a small island in the south Atlantic Ocean. Victorious England had exiled him there, far from France.

Napoleon remained so popular that Louis-Philippe, the King of France, returned his ashes in 1840.

They now rest under the dome of Les Invalides in Paris and attract an incredible number of visitors. Not bad for a defeated general.

Les Invalides are open from 10am to 5pm, 6pm from April to September. Telephone 33 (0)810 11 33 99. Practical information and admission fees.

You can discover Les Invalides on a guided tour.

Varenne on line 13 is the nearest metro station.

Other great Paris monuments