The Emperor is back!

On Sunday 1 March 2015, a sizeable crowd gathered in the small town of Golfe-Juan to re-live an important moment in history: the Emperor’s return from exile on the island of Elba. Two hundred years after this major historical event, Frank Samson, who will be playing Napoleon during the upcoming re-enactments of the Battle of Waterloo on 19 and 20 June, likewise disembarked in the little port close to Nice, along with his entire general staff. This event also marks the beginning of a multitude of events, culminating in the programme for the Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo from 18 to 20 June this year.  

Golfe-Juan, close to Nice, was the place where Napoleon chose to disembark after leaving the island of Elba, where he had been in exile under the surveillance of the British commissioner Campbell. After ten months on the island, which was far too small for him, Napoleon felt as if he were imprisoned. In a precarious financial position he contemplated escape. He was encouraged by the French political climate to put his plans into action, and finally did so in haste, taking advantage of the temporary absence of Commissioner Campbell. 

Napoleon therefore disembarked in Golfe-Juan on 1 March 1815 and set about his return to power, crossing France and arriving several weeks later in Paris. This was to be the last period of his reign, known as the “Hundred Days”, and would continue until his defeat at Waterloo.  More info on the Hundred Days on the www.waterloo2015.org website.

Two hundred years later, as the time comes to remember this historically symbolic period, enthusiasts and those curious about the Empire period will be spoilt for choice with all of the activities that are being organised.

- On 21 March, the doors open on the “Napoleon – Wellington, shared destinies” exhibition at the Wellington Museum. For the very first time unique and original artefacts and documents about both men will be brought together, with the active collaboration of the Duke of Wellington’s family and the Fondation Napoléon.

More info: www.museewellington.be

- From March to September 2015: “Waterloo before 1815. A village on the edge of the Soignes Forest”, at the Waterloo Museum.

The exhibition looks at the origins of the village of Waterloo through the presentation of various inns and important buildings such as the “Waterloo Castle” and the house belonging to the paving contractor Humber Olivet, which became Wellington’s headquarters in 1815.

More info: http://waterloo-tourisme.com/

- The exhibition “History in bricks … LEGO ®” starts on 29 May at the Ecuries de Waterloo. Several million of these famous bricks have been used to recreate the main edifices of the Napoleonic era: ranging from Malmaison to the Invalides and including the most famous of the Waterloo battlefield monuments.

More info: http://waterloo-tourisme.com/

- The new Battle of Waterloo Memorial, from 22 May

A place of memory, but also of emotions and action, the Memorial will lead the visitor into the Battle process, navigating between the two different camps: the French on the one hand and the Allies on the other. The re-enactment show will be an immersive experience with a giant panoramic screen, a 180° field of vision and a 3D presentation. The experts Bruno Colson, well-known for his publications on the Napoleonic wars, and Gérard Corbiau, the Belgian film maker famous for his hugely successful historical films, were called on for their valuable advice.     

More info: http://www.bellealliance.be

- The Musée du Caillou, Napoleon’s last HQ, is currently in the middle of being renovated, but will re-open its doors at the end of May 2015. The renovated facades and modernised sets will contribute to an authentic tour, spread across five rooms, and recreate the atmosphere of the place where Napoleon drew up his last battle plans down to the very last detail.

More info: http://www.dernier-qg-napoleon.be

- Folon, “Visions inédites (Unique Visions)”, from 30 May to 1 November 2015.

Ten years ago the painter Jean-Michel Folon painted a watercolour of the Battlefield of Waterloo and presented it to the commune of Waterloo. This was to be the last watercolour painted by the artist. A figure of Napoleon was found in his archives amongst the many humoristic drawings created by Folon during the nineteen-sixties, and will feature as one of the 200 or so works on display in the exhibition, which is organised in the framework of the 15th anniversary of the Fondation Folon, and of the 10th anniversary of the artist’s death.

More info: http://www.fondationfolon.be