The Napoleon Museum, located in Brienne-le-Château, will reopen on January 27th after major renovations have resulted in a modernized tour and an ambitious program. Here are at least three good reasons to discover the renovated museum...
1 - Return to the lands of Napoleon
It was in 1779, at the age of ten, that Napoleon Bonaparte arrived at the Royal Military Academy at Brienne. He spent five years studying to acquire the basics of his future job as an artillery officer.
In 1805, crowned with his victories and his recent coronation, he went to Milan to gird the crown of the kings of Italy and made a detour to Brienne where he was greeted by a population in jubilation.
In 1814, the dark hours of the Campaign of France begin and bring him again to Brienne.
These three stages of the life of Napoleon Bonaparte left him a nostalgic memory of this place to which he will bequeath 1,200,000 gold francs in his will.
2 - Enjoy innovative museography
After 47 years of opening, the museum needed modernization and upgrading. The collections are now highlighted thanks to a new and innovative scenography.
The exhibition space has been enlarged, the programming is ambitious and the museum is open to all audiences thanks to modern mediation tools: interactive screens, tactile map, videos, figurines...
3 - Discover the 4 new themes of the museum
Through a tour divided into four sequences, the museum wants to show different facets of Napoleon Bonaparte.
The first sequence, entitled "Mark the spirits, build a silhouette", highlights the main garment that makes the recognition of Napoleon: the cocked hat.
The second deals with the best-known aspect of Napoleonic history: the military staging. Named "tactician and strategist", she returns to the many battles fought by Napoleon, including those of Austerlitz and Wagram.
The third deals with Napoleon's reforms, notably the Civil Code and the Baccalaureate.
Finally, the last sequence of the permanent exhibition evokes an unknown facet of Napoleon, that of his intimacy through his links with his family, his childhood and his two marriages. This part also deals with the end of Napoleon's life, from his first exile on the island of Elba to his death on the island of St. Helena.
By Céline Perronnet
Journalist specialising in travel
