Here are “53 Interesting Facts About Napoleon” Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the most influential figures in history. He is credited with leading France to victory in many wars, and is even considered the founder of modern France. However, what you may not know about him is that he was also an astute military strategist and a great inventor. In this article, we compiled 53 interesting facts about Napoleon that will give you a better understanding of this fascinating man.
53 Interesting Facts About Napoleon
1. Napoleon was born in 1769
Napoleon was born on August 15, 1769 in the Corsican city of Ajaccio. His parents were Count Louis Bonaparte and Letitia Bonaparte. Napoleon had two sisters and three brothers. When Napoleon was just eight years old, his family moved to France so that he could receive a proper education. Napoleon studied at the College de France and then at the École Militaire. In 1793, Napoleon joined the army as a private and rose through the ranks to become a general. In 1796, he led a coup d’état against the French government and became dictator of France. Under his rule, France became a world power and Napoleon was known as “The Emperor.” During his reign, Napoleon fought many battles including the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt, Battle of Marengo, Battle of Austerlitz, Battle of Waterloo, and Battle of Solferino. On April 6th 1821, Napoleon died in exile on Saint Helena Island in the South Atlantic Ocean.
2. He had to learn to speak French
Napoleon was born in 1769 to an aristocratic family in the French province of Corsica. He eventually rose through the ranks of the French army and became one of France’s most powerful leaders. Napoleon’s successful military campaigns led to his becoming emperor of France in 1804. However, his rule was marred by several disasters, including the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, which ended his reign. In 1870, Napoleon’s remains were exhumed and placed on a grand funeral procession through Paris.
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3. He was a general during the French Revolution
Napoleon was a general during the French Revolution. He led successful campaigns in Italy and Germany, and is considered one of the greatest military leaders in history. Napoleon’s political career also included a time as First Consul of France. After being defeated by Russia and forced into exile on the island of Elba, he returned to power in 1815 and was later crowned Emperor of France. The French Revolution marked the beginning of the end for Napoleon’s rule, and he was eventually exiled to Saint Helena where he died in 1821.
4. Napoleon was exiled to the island of St. Helena
Napoleon was exiled to the island of St. Helena in 1815, after his disastrous campaign in Russia. He spent the last years of his life there, dying in 1821.
St. Helena is a small, isolated island off the coast of South Africa. It’s only accessible by boat or air, and Napoleon never saw another living being during his stay there. The weather is harsh, and the food and water are scarce.
5. He became First Consul of France in 1800
Napoleon was born in 1769 on the island of Corsica. He became First Consul of France in 1800 and Emperor three years later. Napoleon’s campaigns in Europe led to his eventual defeat and exile to the island of Elba. Napoleon escaped and returned to power in 1815, and was finally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
6. He died in 1821
Napoleon was born in 1769 in Corsica. He rose to power by leading a military campaign against the Republic of Genoa. In 1798, he became First Consul of France. In 1804, he became Emperor of the French. Napoleon was famous for his conquests in Europe and his efforts to expand French territory. In 1815, he was exiled to the island of Elba and died there in 1821.
7. Napoleon had a very short haircut
Napoleon had a very short haircut. He typically wore a wig or a headband to cover his hair.
8. Napoleon had a strong jawline
Napoleon had a strong jawline that helped him achieve his impressive military successes. His facial features also made him appear fierce and in control, which helped him command troops effectively. Although some people found Napoleon’s appearance intimidating, others found him charismatic and magnetic.
9. He was known for his extreme discipline and attention to detail
Napoleon was known for his extreme discipline and attention to detail. He is credited with creating the French military system, which emphasized training and preparation over firepower. In addition, he developed a new form of warfare called conscription, which relied on forcing men to serve in the army rather than relying on volunteers. Napoleon was also famous for his strategic genius, which led him to victory in many battles.
10. Napoleon’s famous quote:
“I am the First Napoleon.” -Napoleon Bonaparte
Few people know that Napoleon had a very famous quote. He said, “I am the First Napoleon.” This quote is often cited in history books and articles because it reflects his ambition and determination. It also shows that he was very confident in himself.
11. His actual height was 5ft5in
Napoleon was actually 5ft5in tall. He may have looked taller due to his iconic military uniform and the huge plumes on his hat, but he was really just average height for his time. His real name was Napoléon Bonaparte and he had bright blue eyes and light brown hair. His ancestors were from Italy, so he had a very Italian look about him.
12. He made the bicorne hat famous
Napoleon is most famous for his military campaigns, but he also made a significant impact on fashion. He popularized the bicorne hat, which became known as the Napoleon Bonaparte hat. The hat was originally designed to protect soldiers from the sun and rain, but it soon became popular among civilians too.
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13. He wrote a romance novel
Napoleon was a French military and political leader who rose to power in 1799. As Emperor of the French, he led numerous campaigns throughout Europe and North Africa. He is most noted for his successful campaign in Russia which resulted in the victory at the Battle of Waterloo. Following his military successes, Napoleon turned his attention to politics, becoming the first president of the French Republic in 1804. In 1814, he was forced to abdicate after losing a series of battles against the British. He died in exile on Elba five years later.
Interesting facts about Napoleon:
- He was born on April 5, 1769, in Corsica
- He rose through the ranks of the French Army during the Revolutionary Wars and became one of France’s most celebrated generals
- In 1796, he was appointed Generalissimo of the Grande Armée and led France into battle against Austria and Prussia
- His successful campaign in Russia led to his coronation as emperor of France in 1804
- Shortly after becoming emperor, Napoleon began planning a campaign against Spain which ultimately failed due to Spanish resistance and British interference
- In 1812, Napoleon was defeated by Russian forces at the Battle of Borodino and had to flee from Moscow with his army
14. He was engaged to Désirée Clary, future Queen of Sweden
Napoleon was engaged to Désirée Clary, future Queen of Sweden. The two were childhood friends and had been betrothed since they were teenagers. However, the Englischer nobleman Eugène de Beauharnais (later Napoleon’s first marshal) convinced Napoleon to break off the engagement in order to pursue a military career. In 1810, after his failed invasion of Russia, Napoleon met Josephine for the first time and fell in love with her. He divorced Désirée and married Josephine in 1814.
15. He met a widow named Josephine
Napoleon met a widow named Josephine in 1796. They became close friends and married in 1810. Together, they had four children: Eugenie, Napoleon II, Jerome, and Elisa. Napoleon died in 1821, leaving Josephine heartbroken. She died in 1847 at the age of 76.
16. He married Josephine de Beauharnais (1st wife)
Napoleon married his first wife, Josephine de Beauharnais, in 1796. Josephine was a noblewoman from an influential family and had been widowed two years earlier. Napoleon fell in love with her almost immediately and the two were married quickly, without having a proper courtship. The marriage was controversial at the time, as Josephine was a social outsider who did not share Napoleon’s conservative political views. The couple had one child, Napoleon II, before divorcing in 1810.
17. They were happy living in Château Malmaison
Napoleon and Josephine were very happy living in Château Malmaison. The estate was large and had many amenities, including a private lake and several gardens. The couple enjoyed spending time outdoors exploring the estate and entertaining guests. Napoleon also loved riding his horse in the surrounding countryside.
18. He declared himself Emperor of the French
Napoleon was born in 1769 to a family of minor nobility. At the age of twenty-eight, he joined the French army and quickly rose through the ranks. He became General in 1804 and Emperor in 1804. Napoleon’s goal was to unify all of Europe under French rule. He conquered much of Europe, but his biggest victory came when he defeated Russia at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. After his defeat, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba where he died in 1821.
19. He was crowned at Notre Dame de Paris
Napoleon was crowned Emperor of France at Notre Dame de Paris on December 2, 1804. The coronation was a major event in French history and it marked the end of the First French Empire. Napoleon had been campaigning in Italy for years before he was able to put together a coalition of European powers and invade France in 1799. After defeating the armies of Austria and Russia, he became the undisputed ruler of France. He continued to add new territory to France until his final defeat at Waterloo in 1815.
20. His Mother Letizia Bonaparte hated his wife
Napoleon’s mother, Letizia Bonaparte, loathed his wife Josephine. The couple married in 1795 and had two children together before Napoleon divorced her in 1809. Letizia didn’t approve of Josephine’s bohemian lifestyle and was especially displeased with her penchant for painting and sculpture. She never got over the fact that Napoleon chose to marry someone she considered inferior to herself.
21. He won many famous battles
Napoleon was able to win many famous battles because of his strategic planning and battlefield tactics. He was also able to use his troops well, which helped him win many battles. One of Napoleon’s most famous victories was the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
22. He had 7 brothers and sisters
Napoleon had 7 brothers and sisters. He was the second of five children. His siblings were Josephine, Louis-Auguste, Hortense, Elisa, and Marie-Louise. Napoleon was very close to his siblings. They all helped care for him when he became emperor.
23. His Royal residences were fit for a King
Napoleon was born in 1769 on the island of Corsica. His father, a military officer, died when Napoleon was very young, so he and his mother were raised by his stepfather. After studying at a military academy, Napoleon entered the French army in 1784. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming captain of an artillery regiment in 1792.
In 1793, Napoleon formed a secret society called the Jacobins. This group advocated for revolutionary change and helped to overthrow the French monarchy. In 1804, Napoleon became emperor of France after defeating Austria and Russia in a series of wars. As emperor, Napoleon ruled with absolute power. He expanded the French empire by conquering much of Europe.
Napoleon’s dictatorship was controversial because he didn’t allow freedom of speech or assembly. In 1815, Napoleon was defeated by British and Prussian forces at Waterloo. He was exiled to the island of Elba where he died in 1821.
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24. He instituted the Napoleonic code
Napoleon is most commonly known for his military campaigns and accomplishments, but he also played an important role in the development of French law. He established the Napoleonic code, which set out basic principles of French civil law. This code was influential in shaping later legal systems across Europe.
25. He changed the French National Anthem
Napoleon Bonaparte was the first French president, and during his reign, he changed the French National Anthem. The old anthem, “La Marseillaise,” was patriotic but also had a royalistic undertone. Napoleon felt that this royal reference needed to be removed, and so he commissioned a new anthem written by Jacques-Joseph Hébert. The lyrics were inspired by the Roman Republic and declared France to be an entity of free citizens who could work and govern themselves. This new anthem became known as the “Hymne à la Nation.”
26. He put in place education reforms
Napoleon’s reforms aimed to improve the quality of education in France, making it more accessible and encouraging a wider variety of subjects. He also introduced a new system of grading which made it easier for students to compare their achievements.
Napoleon was very careful about the way he implemented his reforms, often consulting with experts before making any changes. This helped to ensure that his policies were successful and that students benefited from them.
27. He created labor reforms
Napoleon’s reforms sought to make labor more affordable while also improving working conditions. He banned night work and instituted a four-day workweek, among other measures. These reforms helped to reduce the amount of time that workers had to spend on their jobs and allowed them to earn a better living.
28. He instituted military reforms
Napoleon instituted military reforms that made the French army one of the most powerful in Europe. He developed a new system of recruitment and training that created a well-trained and disciplined force. Napoleon also developed new tactics, strategies, and battlefield techniques that helped the French win many battles.
29. He got rid of the metric system
Napoleon conquered much of Europe, including the metric system. He replaced the French system of measurement with the metric system, a modern system based on the length of a meter, kilogram, and second. This change made France one of the world’s leading industrial nations.
30. He gave Jewish citizens full rights
Napoleon was a very important figure in French history. He was Emperor of France from 1804 to 1814, and he also ruled Spain as a vassal from 1808 to 1813. One of Napoleon’s most important policies was the granting of full rights to Jews in France. This began in 1799, two years before he became emperor, and it continued until the fall of the Empire in 1815.
Under Napoleon, Jews were allowed to own land and businesses, to vote and hold public office, and to serve in the military. They were also protected from Discrimination by law. This policy was controversial at first, but eventually most Frenchmen came to accept it as a natural part of society.
31. The Louisiana purchase was his idea
Napoleon’s decision to make the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 was one of the most important decisions of his life. He saw it as a way to increase French control over North America and strengthen France’s position in Europe.
The purchase consisted of 832,000 square miles (2,150,000 square kilometers) of land from the United States. The area included parts of what are now Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas.
Napoleon believed that the purchase would help France become a world power. He thought that by controlling this land, France could trade with other countries more easily and protect its borders.
The purchase also helped Napoleon gain favor with the ruling classes in France. He hoped that by making this powerful alliance he would be able to weaken the political power of the nobility and improve his own position.
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32. He fought many battles against the British
Napoleon was known as one of the greatest military minds of all time. He fought many battles against the British, and is credited with helping to win several key victories. Napoleon was born in 1769 in Corsica. His father was a military officer, and Napoleon learned how to fight from him. In 1793, he joined the French Army, and quickly became a leading figure. He served in many important positions during his career, including General of Infantry and Commander-in-Chief of the French Armies. He led France to victory in many battles, including Marengo (1800), Aboukir (1801), Jena (1806), Eylau (1807), Friedland (1807), Smolensk (1809), Borodino (1812), and Waterloo (1815). After losing the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon was exiled to Elba Island. He later escaped and returned to power in 1821. He died in 1821 at the age of 49.
33. He lost the Battle of Trafalgar
Napoleon lost the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. He had a huge fleet of over 200 ships but was defeated by British Admiral Nelson and his smaller force. The battle showed that France was no longer able to challenge Great Britain, and led to Napoleon’s exile on Elba.
34. He got rid of the French Revolutionary Calendar
Napoleon, the most famous French general of all time, is also known for his many accomplishments in military strategy and politics. While he was emperor of France, he eliminated the French Revolutionary Calendar and replaced it with the Gregorian Calendar. This event changed the way that French holidays were celebrated and is still a source of controversy today.
Some people see Napoleon’s change as an example of dictatorship at its finest, while others believe that it was a necessary step in modernizing France. Whatever one’s opinion may be, it’s clear that Napoleon had a huge impact on French history.
35. His religious reforms involved kidnapping the Pope
Napoleon’s religious reforms involved kidnapping the Pope. In 1809, Napoleon invaded Italy and attempted to install his brother as the new Pope. When this failed, he declared himself the new Pope and forced the old Pope to flee to France. This event is known as the French Revolution of 1809.
36. He instituted several public holidays in France
Napoleon instituted several public holidays in France, including the French National Day on 14 July 1802, and the Waterloo Day on 18 June 1815. He also created new national days, including the Fête de la Concorde (4 October 1795), the Fête de l’Étoile (11 November 1797), and the Fête du Trône (18 May 1809).
37. He plundered artworks and the Rosetta stone
Napoleon was a notorious art thief. He plundered paintings and other artworks from museums all over Europe. In 1814, he even took the Rosetta stone hostage from the French Museum in Cairo. The stone had helped scholars learn how to read ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. Napoleon hoped to sell it to the British Museum, but he was unsuccessful.
38. He divorced Josephine because she couldn’t give him a child
Napoleon divorced Josephine because she couldn’t give him a child. He also had other affairs which led to his downfall in France.
39. He loved his stepson, Eugène de Beauharnais
Napoleon had a complicated relationship with his stepson, Eugène de Beauharnais. The two men were close as children, but Napoleon became estranged from Eugène after he became emperor. This was in part because Napoleon saw himself as a reincarnation of Augustus Caesar, the first emperor of Rome, and felt that he had a special relationship with Eugène. However, the two reconciled in 1810 and remained very close until Napoleon’s death.
40. His 2nd wife was Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma
Napoleon was married twice. His first wife was Joséphine de Beauharnais. They had two children: Napoleon III and Hortense. Joséphine died in 1814, just months after Napoleon’s return to power from exile on the island of Elba.
His second wife was Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma. They married in 1815 and had six children: Napoléon, Louis-Napoléon, Victor Emmanuel II of Italy, Maria Louisa of Austria, Lucien Bonaparte and Eugène de Beauharnais. Marie Louise died in 1847 at the age of 54 due to complications from childbirth.
41. He lost the Battle of Paris
The Battle of Paris (1814) was the final battle of the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon was decisively defeated and exiled to Elba, resulting in the end of the First French Empire. The battle took place on October 18th and 19th around Paris. Despite having an overwhelming advantage in numbers, Napoleon was unable to overcome the well-trained British army under the command of Arthur Wellesley. The result was a decisive French defeat that effectively ended Napoleon’s rule over Europe.
42. He fought a disastrous battle against the Russians
Napoleon’s disastrous battle against the Russians in 1812 marked the end of his military career. He had hoped to bring Russia under French control, but instead was forced to retreat with much of his army losses. The Battle of Borodino resulted in over 60,000 casualties, including Napoleon himself.
43. He commissioned the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
Napoleon ordered the construction of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris as a memorial to his victories and as an assertion of national pride. The neoclassical monument was completed in 1836 after five years of construction. The design was based on the Roman Arch of Constantine, and the sculptors who created it were Jean-Antoine Houdon and Auguste Rodin.
The Arc de Triomphe is made up of a large arch at its center flanked by two smaller arches. The arch is decorated with statues of Napoleon and Marie Antoinette, as well as other famous French figures from history. Beneath the arch are 12 colossi representing the 12 months of the year.
44. His step-daughter Hortense de Beauharnais would give him an heir
Napoleon’s step-daughter Hortense de Beauharnais would give him an heir. This would be the first of Napoleon’s many children with women other than his wife Josephine. Hortense was born in 1763, two years after Napoleon’s marriage to Josephine. She was the daughter of a wealthy nobleman, and at a young age she became close to Napoleon. In 1784, Hortense became pregnant and married Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, despite her father’s objections. The couple had two children before divorcing in 1791. After the divorce, Hortense returned to live with her father and began an affair with Napoléon. In 1801, she gave birth to a son named Napoléon Bonaparte (later Napoleon III).
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45. His son Napoléon François Joseph Charles died young
Napoléon François Joseph Charles, known as Napoléon III, was the last Emperor of the French. He reigned from 1852 until his death in 1881. Napoleon III’s son, Napoléon François Joseph Charles, died young in 1879.
46. He was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo.
The Battle of Waterloo began on June 15, 1815, on the Belgian border with France.
Under the command of the English Duke of Wellington and Prussian Marshal von Blücher, the coalition consisted of soldiers from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Hanover, Brunswick, and Nassau.
Napoleon returned to Paris instead of remaining in the field to try to regain French military and political support at the end of the day.
47. His abdication restored the Bourbon monarchy.
It is located in the garden entrance of the Palais de l’Elysées, the home of the French President, where Napoleon Bonaparte signed his abdication and surrender to the British.
On 22 June 1815, Napoleon abdicated in favor of his 4-year-old son Napoleon II.
After the death of King and Queen Marie-Antoinette, the UK-Prussian coalition insisted on the restoration of the Bourbon dynasty with Louis XVIII as King.
48. He hoped to retire in America.
When Napoleon signed his abdication letter, he was actually hoping to be able to move the United States.
On 25 June, 1815 Napoleon left Paris for the final time and after staying at Château Malmaison, and left for the coast hoping to reach the United States of America. (Josephine had already passed away by this time, dying in 1814.)
49. Exile and mysterious death on the island of Saint Helena.
Napoleon was caught by the British, who feared another resurrection, and was exiled to the island of Saint Helena. In 1821, this is where he died under rather mysterious circumstances.
The British doctors treating him said he died of stomach cancer, while a local Corsican doctor blamed it on gall bladder problems and ulcers caused by stress.
Napoleon was also known to have carried a vial of poison at times. He died on May 5, 1821 at the age of 51.
50. Initial burial in Saint Helena.
Originally buried on St. Helena, he was exhumed 19 years later.
“I wish my ashes to rest on the banks of the Seine among the people of France whom I so much loved“.
The last will and testament of Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte remained quite popular in France decades after his death in exile. During the royal restoration, King Louis-Philippe brought his body back from Saint-Hélena to be buried in Paris.
After his state funeral in 1840, his body was kept in the Invalides until a tomb fit for an Emperor could be built.
51. His tomb is at Les Invalides in Paris.
Under the Dome of Les Invalides, Napoleon III finally laid to rest his uncle in 1861, receiving the highest honors as Emperor of France.
In the sarcophagus there are six coffins nested within each other, one made of iron, another of mahogany, two others of lead, one of ebony and the last made of oak.
It is estimated that Napoleon was buried in his Colonel’s uniform (of the cavalry of the Guard) along with his sash of the Legion d’Honneur. His famous hat, the sideways bicorne, was found resting on his legs.
Pierre Charles Simart carved ten bas-reliefs around the tomb between 1846 and 1853, retracing the steps of the tomb’s construction
Among the achievements of the Consulate and the Empire are Napoleon’s shirtless appearances showing him displaying:
- the code civil
- with a crown of sunshine (meant to evoke the Sun King)
- dressed as a Roman Julius Caesar
52. His nephew became Emperor Napoleon III.
Following Napoleon Bonaparte’s death, the British restored the French monarchy by putting on the throne a series of minor members of the House of France, the last of whom was Louis Philippe.
Napoleon’s nephew, Charles Louis Napoléon Bonaparte, was waiting in the wings. He was the son of Louis Bonaparte and Hortense de Beauharnais.
The Emperor finally seizes power in 1851 after a few “small” revolutions and abdications.
The monarch was generally efficient, moderizing France, boosting the economy, and expanding the merchant navy. He also gave Baron Haussman carte blanche to redraw the map of Paris, razing much of the center to the ground and rebuilding much of the city we know today.
In spite of this, Napoleon III’s reign would not last for long. Prussia (as Germany was then known) was gaining power, and the British did not trust his nephew who had brought them so much war in the first place. In 1870, when he had no allies and was growing older, he surrendered to the Prussians and died in Germany.
After a series of Germanic invasions, two World Wars, and many other upheavals, France would never have another king (or emperor).
53. Bonaparte’s family lives on today.
There are plenty of Bonapartes descended from Napoleon’s siblings, even though Napoleon’s direct line ended with his son’s death.
Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon Bonaparte, the great-great-great nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, was in the news in 2019 for getting married at Les Invalides.
It so happened that he was marrying Olympia, a descendent of Napoleon Bonaparte’s arch-enemy, Karl I of the Austrian Habsburgs.
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