The Civil Code
Promulgated in 1804, it still shapes French law and has inspired the codes of many countries.
1769 — 1821 · History of the Empire
Napoleon Bonaparte,
told through the facts.
A clear, fact-checked encyclopedia of the life of Napoleon I: dates, battles, reforms and legacy. Every fact is dated; no legend is presented as a certainty.
1769
Born in Ajaccio
1804
Emperor of the French
1821
Death on Saint Helena
1840
Return of the ashes to Les Invalides
Timeline
A life in twelve dates
The essential milestones, from his birth in Corsica to his exile on Saint Helena. Verifiable facts, presented without embellishment.
- 176915 August 1769
Born in Ajaccio
Napoleone di Buonaparte is born in Corsica, one year after the island was annexed to France.
- 17841784 – 1785
Military School of Paris
Admitted to the Royal Military School, he graduates as a second lieutenant of artillery at 16.
- 1793Dec. 1793
Siege of Toulon
His conduct at the recapture of Toulon earns him the rank of brigadier general at 24.
- 17961796 – 1797
Italian Campaign
Leading the Army of Italy, he wins a string of victories (Lodi, Arcole, Rivoli).
- 17999 Nov. 1799
Coup of 18 Brumaire
He overthrows the Directory and establishes the Consulate, becoming First Consul.
- 180421 March 1804
French Civil Code
Promulgation of the Civil Code, a lasting foundation of French law and that of many countries.
- 18042 Dec. 1804
Coronation at Notre-Dame
He crowns himself Emperor of the French in the presence of Pope Pius VII.
- 18052 Dec. 1805
Battle of Austerlitz
A decisive victory over the Russian and Austrian armies, known as the “Battle of the Three Emperors”.
- 18121812
Russian Campaign
The invasion ends in a disastrous retreat of the Grande Armée.
- 18146 April 1814
First Abdication
Forced to abdicate, he is exiled to the island of Elba, of which he is granted sovereignty.
- 1815March – June 1815
The Hundred Days
Returning from Elba, he regains power until his defeat at Waterloo (18 June 1815).
- 18215 May 1821
Death on Saint Helena
He dies in exile on the island of Saint Helena, in the South Atlantic, at 51.
Legacy
What survives him today
Institutions and symbols still in force, two centuries later.
The institutions
Council of State, prefects, Bank of France (1800), Legion of Honour (1802): lasting creations.
Education
The creation of the lycées and the baccalauréat (1808), a pillar of French public education.
Les Invalides
The “return of the ashes” in 1840 placed his tomb beneath the dome of Les Invalides, in Paris.
Getting your bearings
A short glossary of the Empire
Frequently asked questions
Misconceptions & questions of history
Was Napoleon short?
It's a common misconception. He stood about 1.68 m (roughly 5 ft 6 in), an average height for a man of his time. The confusion stems partly from the difference between the old French measure (the pouce, or inch) and the English unit.
How long did his reign last?
He was Emperor of the French from his coronation on 2 December 1804 until his first abdication in April 1814, then briefly during the Hundred Days in 1815.
Why is he called “Napoleon I”?
The numeral distinguishes him from his nephew Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, who became Napoleon III under the Second Empire (1852–1870). Napoleon II, his son, never effectively reigned.
Where is he buried?
His remains, brought back from Saint Helena during the “return of the ashes” in 1840, rest beneath the dome of Les Invalides, in Paris.
What was his most lasting reform?
The Civil Code of 1804 is often cited: it unified French private law and inspired the codes of many countries around the world.
Test your knowledge
Quiz: How well do you know Napoleon?
10 questions on the life, battles, and legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte. The explanation behind each answer is revealed immediately.
Question 1 of 10
In what year was Napoleon Bonaparte born?
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