Napoleon and Paris: from History to Legend

Napoleon and Paris: a city shaped by history

Paris still bears the imprint of Napoleon Bonaparte. From its grand monuments and centres of power to its bridges and institutions, the Emperor profoundly transformed the French capital. Yet it was an event that took place long after his death that truly cemented his legend: the Return of the Ashes on 15 December 1840

This guided walking tour invites you to relive this historic day by following part of the route taken by Napoleon's funeral procession. From Place de la Concorde to the Hôtel National des Invalides, walk in Napoleon's footsteps and discover how this national tribute permanently inscribed his memory into the Parisian landscape.

Along the way, your guide reveals the connections between Napoleon and some of Paris's most iconic landmarks. Place de la Concorde, Pont de la Concorde, the Palais Bourbon, the Hôtel de Lassay and the Esplanade des Invalides each tell a different chapter of his political, military and architectural legacy.

Relive the Emperor's final journey

Illustrated with contemporary engravings, paintings and historical documents presented throughout the tour, you'll step back into the remarkable ceremony of 15 December 1840, when hundreds of thousands of Parisians gathered to witness Napoleon's return to the capital. Your guide retraces the major stages of this extraordinary journey, from Saint Helena to the Hôtel National des Invalides, where the Emperor rests today.

The tour concludes at Place Vauban, in front of the Dôme des Invalides. Here, you'll discover the history of this iconic monument, which became one of France's most important military memorials during the nineteenth century, as well as the architectural transformations undertaken to house Napoleon's monumental tomb.

Blending heritage, history and memory, this guided walk offers a unique perspective on one of the defining moments in the creation of the Napoleonic legend.