Inside Napoleon’s Favorite Palaces

Napoleon Bonaparte - a colossal figure who once dominated the stage of world history as a masterful military strategist and political titan - has been resurrected in grand cinematic style in Ridley Scott's epic Hollywood production - “Napoleon” - with the inimitable Joaquin Phoenix bringing this legendary figure to life.
Now, while the film's portrayal adds a dash of Hollywood glamour to Bonaparte's saga, yet one of the more captivating - albeit lesser-known aspects of his life - remains the varied and opulent residences he occupied while at the helm of France.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Introduction
1:01 #1 The Tuileries Palace
4:14 #2 Château de Malmaison
7:00 #3 The Palace of Saint Cloud
9:12 #4 Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna Austria
10:36 #5 The Palace of Versailles
13:10 #6 Fontainebleau Palace
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The iconic and transformative leader Napoleon Bonaparte held a deep and significant connection with the Tuileries Palace in Paris.
Before his rise to power, Napoleon was a military genius who rapidly ascended through the ranks due to his strategic brilliance and leadership skills -and his crowning as Emperor marked the beginning of a new era in French history - characterized by ambitious reforms and military conquests that reshaped much of Europe.
But the Tuileries Palace - long before Napoleon's time - was already a symbol of royal authority and French grandeur.
Constructed in the sixteenth century, it had been the residence of French monarchs - witnessing key events that shaped France's history.
Now, napoleon Bonaparte's connection to the Château de Malmaison - a grand residence just outside Paris - was both personal and significant in the context of his life and reign.
Unlike the grandeur and political symbolism of the Tuileries Palace, Malmaison offered him a more intimate and private retreat.
Purchased in 1799 by his then-wife Joséphine, Malmaison became a cherished residence for Napoleon - especially during the early years of his rule.
Napoleon Bonaparte notably found a sanctuary in Saint-Cloud - a palace nestled on the serene outskirts of Paris.
In the spring of 1802, he discovered this haven - a place where freedom and tranquility reigned - and Saint-Cloud would later be further steeped annals of Napoleonic history, as it was used not only by Napoleon The First, but also his nephew - Napoleon The Third - and it was even a favored summer retreat for the Bourbon kings and King Louis-Philippe.
And it was within the walls of Saint-Cloud that the French Empire was proclaimed in 1804 - a watershed moment in Napoleon’s ascent to power.
As First Consul, he inherited a nation mired in civil strife and instability - however, his aspirations went beyond merely holding positions of authority.
Seven months later, Pope Pius The Seventh crowned him at Notre Dame Cathedral - ushering in the era of French imperialism and bringing an end to the revolutionary era.
The first location on our list outside of Imperial France, Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna also played a pivotal role in the history of Napoleon Bonaparte's military conquests.
When the drums of war echoed across Europe and Vienna fell under Napoleon's shadow in 1805 and again in 1809, the Emperor chose Schönbrunn as his strategic epicenter for the European theater.
Napoleon Bonaparte - distinct from his royal predecessors - faced constraints in implementing grand construction plans at the iconic Palace of Versailles.
Unlike the lavish architectural expansions of previous monarchs, his tenure at Versailles was marked more by restoration than by new construction.
Initially, Napoleon harbored grand ambitions for Versailles - envisioning it as a future residence and the site for an impressive new structure - the "Palace of the King of Rome” - dedicated to his son.
These plans, however, remained unrealized due to various constraints - including the immense costs and his preoccupation with ongoing military campaigns.
Last on our list is Fontainebleau - a palace with a royal lineage stretching from Louis The Seventh to Napoleon Third - and the locale that has been traditionally seen as Napoleon’s “favorite” of all of his homes.
Indeed, this palace - which had been what we might call “the family home" for the kings of France for over eight centuries - held a special place in Napoleon's heart.
Under Napoleon's rule, Fontainebleau experienced a renaissance - emerging from the shadows of the Revolution.
The palace and its gardens were meticulously remodeled in the lavish Empire style - echoing the splendor of the past monarchy and Napoleon's attachment to Fontainebleau was not just sentimental but strategic, as he saw it as a key location to establish his legitimacy.
However, 1814 quickly brought massive change.

[@oldmoneymansions]

COMMENT: Which of Napoleon’s favorite palaces is your favorite - and have you visited any of them?

[@kayallen7603]

The lack of 'plumbed facilities' rather detracted from the palaces' glamour, however.

[@elizabethpengson8244]

I'm still very upset the Palais de Tuileries was burnt & destroyed during the Commune Riots.. built by Catherine de Medici.. where Napoleon made his official residence.. bummer.. Louis-Napoleon just renovated it as he lived there too.. the damage was so immense it couldn't be restored. Napoleon was said to have liked Fountainbleau a lot.. he also used St Cloud..( St Cloo. D is silent)

[@daniedevite6781]

Are these magnificent palaces still standing

[@AlxzAlec]

7:50 but that's not true though, napoleon crowned himself haha

[@timw8228]

Interesting, I had never heard of Schönbrunn Palace. It makes you wonder what it would have been like living in anyone of those palaces during the winter. Good thing a forest was nearby for fire wood. Where they cold and drafty and dimmly lit by candle light? They certainly needed candles and lots of them for chandeliers like those sizes. Not sure which one would be my favorite.

[@elizabethpengson8244]

Napoleon never lived at the Schonbrunn.. that's Austrian.. though his second wife Marie_Louise grew up there.. being a Hapsburg & where Napoleon's only legitimate son lived after Napoleon was in exile in Elba..

[@lmnll2742]

@@elizabethpengson8244 Napoleon stayed there for a few days in 1805 and a few months in 1809.

[@elizabethpengson8244]

@@lmnll2742 well.. password was LIVED as opposed to stayed..Napoleon stayed in a lot of places

[@lmnll2742]

@@elizabethpengson8244 derisory

[@karenisabellestewart851]

Loved Fountanbleu, went thier at least 3 times when visiting France. Versailles gardens I adore, again many visit on trips to France and Mal Maison a more qaint Palace. I guess Foutainblue is my favorite one!

[@jb7287]

Loved how the author slid in a movie preview ...👎👎👎