These Imperial Days, with the presence of the most eminent specialists of this era, affirm the status of Nice as an imperial city. This crown is not undeserved.
Bonaparte stayed here on three occasions, notably on March 27, 1796, shortly before he covered himself in glory during the first Italian campaign.
A few decades later, another rendezvous with history took place.
A major one, since Nice became French on this occasion. Thanks to Napoleon III and the boldness of his foreign policy, the people of Nice became French.
On this occasion, a special program was prepared with the participation of the most eminent specialists of this era.
Debates, screenings, round tables, recitals, readings, shows, and concerts were scheduled for the occasion!
Friday, October 20 at 5:45 PM at the Mediterranean University Centre:
Opening by Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, followed by a discussion with Patrice Gueniffey, historian, director of studies at EHESS (School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences), about his latest book “Napoleon and de Gaulle, two French heroes” (Ed. Perrin), hosted by Patrice Zehr, journalist at La Principauté.
Saturday, October 21 at 10:30 AM :
Ceremony for unveiling plaques on Bonaparte, Alexandre Mari, and Saint-François streets in Nice, where the presence of emperors Napoleon I and Napoleon III is attested.
Cinémathèque of Nice at 2 PM: Screening/debate
Screening of the film Austerlitz (1960) by Abel Gance, followed by a debate with David Chanteranne, historian, art historian, graduate of the University of Paris-Sorbonne, editor-in-chief of the Revue du Souvenir Napoléonien.
Mediterranean University Centre:
2:15 PM: Round table “Nice and the Empires” hosted by Martine Gasquet, historian and writer
4 PM: Recital “Napoleon and Russia” by Mikhail Rudy
4:45 PM: Round Table “The Empires and Franco-Russian Relations” hosted by Patrice Zehr, journalist at La Principauté
6 PM: Reading “The Emperor of Kings”, Reading of passages from the 3rd volume of Emperor Napoleon I biography (R. Laffont) by Max Gallo, by actor Christophe Malavoy
Palais de la Méditerranée at 8:30 PM: Show “What a life story!”
Historical and musical show created by the Nice and Alpes-Maritimes Napoleon’s Memory delegation
Sunday, October 22
Mediterranean University Centre
11 AM: Round Table “Women and Empires” hosted by Patrice Zehr, journalist at La Principauté
2:30 PM: Round table “French Empires and Art” and reading of passages illustrating the topic, hosted by Bernard Persia, journalist. Reading by actress Andréa Ferréol
4 PM: Round Table “Napoleon’s Legacy” hosted by David Chanteranne, editor-in-chief of the Revue du Souvenir Napoléonien
5:30 PM: Closing of debates “Napoleon, a novel character”
Grand discussion with Jean Tulard, historian, university professor, biographer, member of the Institut, hosted by Geoffroy Caillet, editor-in-chief of Figaro Histoire
Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur at 6:30 PM: Closing concert “The great European composers and the Empires”
The Philharmonic Orchestra of Nice, conducted by Frédéric Deloche for the occasion, will give a special free concert on the stage of the Opera, featuring works from three composers directly connected to the epic of Napoleon I.
Note: Saturday, October 28 at 8 PM; Sunday, October 29 at 3 PM at the Nice Opera
“Imperial Violets” – Grand operetta in 2 acts and 17 scenes, Libretto by Paul Achard, René Jeanne, and Henri Varna, Music by Vincent Scotto
