Longwood in Saint Helena: Napoleon’s last residence

Longwood in Saint Helena: Napoleon’s last residence

On the English island of Saint Helena, visit of the French domain of Longwood, which was the last residence of the emperor Napoleon. Gilbert MARTINEAU, honorary consul of France explains the purchase of the estate in 1858 from the Queen of England by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandre Colonna Walewski, natural son of Napoleon I. He is responsible for the maintenance of the estate and the museum. After having restored the buildings in the early 1950s, he looked for furniture that would restore the decor of 1821 (year of Napoleon’s death). There is still much to be done. He says why he thinks this period of exile is the most interesting of the emperor’s life. Gilbert MARTINEAU speaks in the presence of the great-grandson of Alexandre Colonna Walewski.

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File : Napoleon: the places

Publication date : 8 May 1969