Only a tomb so elaborate and grandiose as this one would be acceptable for someone like Napoleon.
The Arc de Triomphe, one of many triumphal arches built by Napoleon.
Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) is widely known for his extravagances, such as the Arc de Triomphe (above), crowning himself emperor and his failed attempt to conquer Russia. Even his tomb showcases opulence and extravagance beyond conception. Little or not, his god complex is evident in what he left behind; just look at that statue.
Just a golden statue of Napoleon II (Napoleon’s son), nothing to see here.
The thing is we cannot even blame Napoleon for his tomb, but Louis-Philippe, who was the last king of the French, ruling from 1830-1848.
Blame this guy, Louis-Philippe.
Napoleon was originally buried in St. Helena, where he was sent into exile after his second failed attempt to conquer Europe. Louis-Philippe thought he deserved a little better. Louis-Philippe petitioned Napoleon’s captor, England, for his body to be returned to France. He chose a fitting spot in Paris, L’Hôtel national des Invalides (The National Residence for the Invalids), or simply Les Invalides, originally a hospital and retirement home for soldiers, which also now houses multiple military museums, as well as a large church and a private chapel.
The outside of Napoleon’s Tomb, Église du Dôme, with its iconic golden dome.
Built between 1677 and 1706, the chapel was commissioned by then-king of France, Louis XIV, now known as the Église du Dôme from its most striking feature, its golden dome. The dome was inspired by the dome of St. Peter’s in Rome and was supposed to epitomize French Baroque architecture. The interior decorations were supposed to glorify the monarchy and its armies. During the French Revolution, it was referred to the Temple of Mars, for its military themed designs. It’s only fitting that Napoleon decided to turn it into a crypt for military heroes, entombing multiple French heroes, that passed while he ruled. However, Napoleon may not have imagined he would also be entombed here.
The altar inside the chapel.
The inside of the dome, directly above Napoleon’s tomb.
Louis-Philippe arranged for Napoleon’s bones to be sent from St. Helena in 1840. Napoleon was kept in the fore-church until his reburial on April 2, 1861, almost twenty years later. Napoleon’s tomb is made of sculpted blocks of red quartzite and resting on a green granite base. Lying in a sunken circular vault directly below the dome, the tomb is surrounded by reliefs of the twelve “Victories” that symbolize Napoleon’s military campaigns. Eight more victories are inscribed on the marble floor around the tomb. In the gallery, behind the “Victories,” a set of ten reliefs are carved in marble, depicting the achievements of his reign.
Napoleon’s tomb, in the sunken crypt.
It’s fitting that Napoleon is now surrounded by engravings and statues of himself, stroking his ego from beyond the grave, picturing him in images as Caesars and gods, highlighting all the good he has done, ignoring his failures.
Around the crypt, there are many images of Napoleon as a Caesar.
Countless visitors still visit to pay homage to this fallen leader, who now rests with other war heroes in this grand chapel. I believe that Napoleon may have been very satisfied with this fate. He hasn’t been forgotten.
The Église du Dôme from the front. I really like this photo.
The center courtyard at L’Hôtel national des Invalides, now mostly part of the Musée de l’Armée.
The church of Saint-Louis des Invalides, where Napoleon’s body was kept for twenty years until the completion of his grand tomb. The altar from Dome Church can be seen through the back windows.
Not only is the dome painted, but also the lintels (the painted area above the columns).
A memorial chapel for fallen soldiers.
Check out some more cool tombs and cemeteries!
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I’m getting some Grant’s Tomb vibes here.
Napoleon’s Tomb really influenced the design of Grant’s Tomb!