Emperor of France who rose to power in the aftermath of the French Revolution in 1799 and waged war with every major European power in a series of wars known as the Napoleonic Wars. After a series of military failures he was finally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and spent the last 6 years of his life in exile on the island of St. Helena.
His birthday was the reason to celebrate at the Lion's mount. Bivouacs and canons were installed and also a kitchen with open fire. The soldiers wore uniforms used during the battle and I also could see 3 white horses.
As the entrance fee was too expensive (12 to 15 € per personne) most of the people stayed outside the site and looked through the fence. It rained heavily on the first day and probably some shows had to be cancelled. I show you some pictures from what I have seen of the birthday celebration.
The few bivouacs and a tired soldier
Not many people when the "village" was built up
The soldiers exercising
Poor dog was afraid of the canons
The "cavalry" show
In front of the Panorama, you could make a tour with the horses and carriage
canons and the imperial ambulance
Saturday a few spectators in the rain
Fortunately the rain had stopped on Sunday and most of the spectators stood outside the fence
Just in front of the Lion was the only restaurant which had been redecorated and looked nice now where people could sit and have something to eat and drink.
End of Napoleon's rather stingy 250th birthday celebration. After all he has lost the battle, said a tourist !
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Poor Napoleon. I am sure he would have wanted a bigger birthday bash. I wonder if my ex-boyfriend was with the soldiers. He used to dress up with the Napoleonic Re-enactment group of Malta. Napoleon was not popular here. He came and stole a lot of gold and silver from the churches.
ReplyDeleteThere's a group of period re-enactors here who do that, based on a British regiment of the era.
ReplyDeleteAw poor dog, canon would be scary indeed!
ReplyDeletePity about the weather and the entrance fee. The organisers must have been annoyed by the number of people watching through the fence and not paying to enter.
ReplyDelete