On March 1, 1815, in Golfe-Juan, then a humble fishing village, Napoleon, returning from exile on the island of Elba, signed the first act of the most extraordinary adventure of the Napoleonic legend, “the Hundred Days’ epic.”
A weekend to engage with history with the reenactment of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s landing on the beach of Golfe-Juan. Also on the program: the soldiers’ bivouac on the beach, parades in the city, and even a Napoleonic village with various activities.
Bicentennial of Napoleon’s Landing
From March 1 to 20, celebrating the opening of the Bicentennial of the Emperor’s march back to Paris in 1815, the 42 cities and towns along the Route Napoléon will depict the heroic passage of the imperial Eagle in their own ways.
On March 1, 1815, after 10 months of exile on the island of Elba, Napoleon I landed on the beaches of Golfe-Juan, making the Alpes-Maritimes the starting point of the ultimate “Flight of the Eagle.”
Celebrating the bicentennial of the “Hundred Days” means nurturing the legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte, who, through his personality, vision for France and the State, and loyalty to the ideals of the revolution, profoundly and lastingly marked the construction of our nation.
It is also an opportunity to highlight the countless riches of the territories along the “Route Napoléon,” particularly through numerous specially designed and offered tourist stays for this bicentennial.
To honor the memory of he who flew from steeple to steeple up to the towers of Notre Dame, the National Action of the Elected Representatives of the Route Napoléon (ANERN) coordinates the events and facilitates the efforts of passionate reenactors who will relive in real-time the forced march of the Napoleonic guard, crossing in 7 days two regions (PACA and Rhône-Alpes) and four departments (Alpes-Maritimes, Alpes de Haute Provence, Hautes-Alpes, and Isère) from Golfe Juan to Grenoble.
March 2, 1815 – March 2, 2015: A methodical and large-scale reenactment…
The journey is timed: respecting the historical timeline is one of the challenges of this adventure.
Departing at 5 PM from Golfe-Juan, the 1st Regiment of Lancers of the Imperial Guard will bivouac on the beach of Cannes, which they will leave around 7:00 AM. They will stop at Le Cannet at 7:45 AM, then cross Mougins and Mouans-Sartoux before arriving in Grasse.
Monday, March 2 from 10:30 AM to 1 PM : Passage of the Emperor in Grasse
Historical reenactment at Place de la Foux in front of the Napoleon Space.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28
10 AM: Laying of the Wreath at Napoleon’s Column by the Municipality followed by a parade in town and the opening of the village
11 AM: Conference “Napoleon’s Civil Achievements” by A. Pigeard, National President of Napoleonic Memory • “Imperial” Tent
2:30 PM: Cavalry show – Battle simulation and maneuver demonstrations
4 PM: Theater “Madame Sans-Gêne” excerpts from the comedy by Victorien Sardou • “Imperial” Tent
5:15 PM: Parade in town by the troops, departure Old Port
6:00 PM: Performance of imperial dances • “Imperial” Tent
8:30 PM: Pyromelodic show Welcoming of the public by the fifes and drums of the 1st Grenadiers Regiment of the Imperial Guard.
SUNDAY, MARCH 1
10 AM: Opening of the village • free entry
10:15 AM: Performance of imperial dances “Imperial” Tent
11 AM: Parade in town by the troops • departure Old Port
11:30 AM: Review of the troops by the Emperor; arms presentation; music by the fifes and drums of the 1st Grenadiers Regiment of the Imperial Guard of Fréjus
Parking Aimé Berger • city center
2:30 PM: Reenactment of the Emperor’s landing on the beach
