The article before you is part of three articles that deal with Napoleon's miraculous return from the island of Elba to Paris. The first chapter gave us historical background and told us about the people involved . In the second chapter, the journey begins in the town of Cannes and ends near Grenoble . And now the journey continues...
Napoleon's historic moment on the way to Grenoble
Today is the seventh of March. Napoleon is advancing from Corps towards Grenoble. He passes over the high bridge, crosses La Mure and advances to Grenoble, walking 36 kilometers. Then he realizes that the XNUMXth Regiment is blocking his path.
Now the defining event of the journey occurs. A moment about which Victor Hugo said :
Nothing in history was like this fifteen minutes.
Napoleon gets out of the carriage and mounts his horse. He approaches the Fifth Battalion, which is lined up in front of him with its rifles pointed at him. Behind Napoleon stand Drouot, Bertrand and Cambron, as well as a line of soldiers from the Old Guard. The Polish cavalry, who have since purchased horses for themselves. Napoleon gets off his horse. An officer is sent from his camp to the Fifth Battalion. He gallops on his horse and announces: “The Emperor is about to march towards you. If you open fire, he will be the first to be hit and you will answer to France” (and I would add to that, to history).
The officer returns. The orchestra breaks into the Marseillaise. Napoleon begins to march forward. He orders Malet, the commander of the guard, to lower the rifle barrels of the guard. The latter is horrified: “They will shoot us all down with one volley,” he protests. “Do as I say,” Napoleon says calmly. He advances and comes within five meters of the soldiers of the Fifth Battalion. The music stops, and he says:
Soldiers of the Fifth Battalion!
I am your emperor!
You know me!
If there is a soldier among you who wants to kill his emperor, he can do so.
I present myself to you!
And saying this, he opens his gray coat, Marengo's coat.
A moment of silence, then a mighty roar in one voice: “Long live the Emperor.” The Fifth Battalion breaks the line and the soldiers throw themselves on Napoleon, kissing his clothes, his hands. An older soldier shows Napoleon the rifle’s chamber and says: “You see it’s empty. We didn’t mean to shoot you.”
And Dellessart approaches Napoleon, kneels, and offers him his sword. Napoleon returns the sword to him and stands up.
This is the turning point Napoleon had been waiting for. The force of 1,200 soldiers suddenly grew to a force of 2,000 soldiers.
Napoleon addresses the Laffrey men who have gathered there:
Citizens, residents of Lafri!
I returned again with a handful of brave people, because I trusted the common people and you.
The Bourbon government is illegal because it is contrary to the will of the people and the interests of the nation.
It exists only to serve the interests of a few families.
The entire nation must rise up against the old regime.
Then he raises his voice:
Aren't they going to take the land from you?
and restore their privileges and feudal rights, despite all the calamities,
Which ones have you managed to stop so far?
Word of mouth approval.
Then Bertrand reads a proclamation addressed to the soldiers of the Fifth Battalion.
Soldiers!
Despite all the ambushes placed in our path,
We protected your emperor!
We brought him here from across the sea, amidst a thousand dangers!
We landed on the sacred soil of the homeland with the national badge and the imperial eagle.
Trample the white tag under your feet.
This is the symbol of shame imposed by strangers and through betrayal!
If we allow those we defeated to change the law, then we have shed our blood in vain.
During the few months that the Bourbons ruled, they showed that they had forgotten nothing and had learned nothing.
The Bourbons have always harbored resentment for the rights of the people.
Those who raise arms against their country – against us, have become heroes!
You have become traitors who are forgiven but only temporarily.
Until the immigrants form their own army!
The Swiss Guard was returned to Paris and the veterans were dismissed!
Soldiers of the great nation!
Soldiers of Napoleon the Great!
Do you agree to be soldiers of the prince, who has been an enemy of France for twenty years,
And who owes his throne to the Crown Prince of England?!
Soldiers!
We give you the signal: Go! Go!
Take up arms, come join us.
Join your emperor and the eagles adorned with the tricolor!
And what's happening in Grenoble?
The city gates are blocked. General Marchand prepares the city for defense. Napoleon must not be allowed to enter. Two battalions are brought in as reinforcements: the Seventh and the Eleventh Battalions.
An officer named Labedoyere commands the 7th Battalion. A talented and respected officer. He is married to an aristocratic woman and Marchand can seemingly trust him. However, he reveals his support for Napoleon. He reveals his plan to join Napoleon to the commander of the 11th Battalion, Durand, who is horrified by the idea. He gathers his soldiers and declares: Qui m'aime me svive (Whoever loves me will come with me). A few retreat. The battalion leaves Grenoble and advances towards Napoleon, who is marching against it.
Colonel Zerzmanovsky, now serving as a forward guard, sees clouds of dust rising in front of him and realizes that a large military force is advancing against him. He realizes this because another force is advancing to attack and he retreats rather frightened. Napoleon stops. The force is drawn up in a defensive formation. When the first soldiers of the 7th Battalion appear, they shout to them: Qui Vive? Who are you? And the answer: The 7th Battalion and we have turned to peace.
The spectacle we saw at Lafrique returns again. Hugs, elation. Labedoyere approaches Napoleon and with his characteristic courage says:
Sir, no more ambition, no more tyranny.
His Majesty must abandon the pursuit of victories, of absolute power.
These things have brought disaster upon France and upon you yourself.
Napoleon hugs him.
Near that stand, Napoleon was heard saying:
I was led down the wrong path by necessity, but I learned from the experience.
I no longer desire fame, which is so natural to the French.
This had disastrous consequences for them and for myself.
We've had more than enough glory. We need rest.
I would prefer rest in Alba to the worries of the crown,
If I hadn't known that Rafa is not happy and is suffering.
In order to protect and secure the results of the revolution,
I intend to reach an agreement with the people's representatives.
An agreement that will forever preserve the freedom and rights of the French.
Napoleon's force grew and now stood at about 3,500 soldiers.
The conquest of Grenoble
In the evening, the force arrives in Grenoble and stops in front of the closed Bonne Gate. General Marchand has left the city after ordering that Napoleon not be allowed to enter. The soldiers are afraid to disobey an order. Captain Raoul takes an axe and begins to smash the gate, joined by other soldiers on both sides of the gate.
Napoleon enters Grenoble. He goes to the Hotel de Trois Dauphines, which belongs to a veteran guard soldier who has retired from service – Labarre.
The townspeople bring him the fragments of the gate as the city's key of honor, and Napoleon says:
Citizens, residents of Grenoble!
When I heard, while in exile, about the misfortune that oppresses the nation.
Because the rights of the people are not recognized.
I didn't waste a minute.
I landed on my own soil, and I didn't think about anything.
Except for arriving at the speed of an eagle to Grenoble.
Grenoble - I know how patriotic she is.
Grenoble - that I know how much she is connected to me.
He stays in Grenoble until March 9. He conducts himself like an emperor. He holds an order of the army and receives applause.
The first stage has been achieved – he has tripled his strength and the road to Paris is open to him, but he is still in danger.
Traveling on the Napoleon Road and looking for a hotel in Grenoble?
Here are some not-so-bad options (this part of the article was written by the Francophile).
Hotel Gloria
Number of stars: **
A simple and inexpensive hotel located not far from the city center.
Citadines City Center Grenoble
Number of stars: ***
An apartment hotel from the CITADINES chain. The advantage of these hotels is that they are fully equipped apartments (unlike hotel rooms, which have almost nothing in them), so anyone who wants to can cook here.
ibis Styles Grenoble Center Gare Hotel
Number of stars: ***
A nice, inexpensive hotel from the solid IBIS chain, located not far from Grenoble train station.
The Grand Hotel Grenoble
Number of stars: ****
A luxurious hotel located right in the city center and has rooms with soundproof windows.
Okko Hotels Grenoble Jardin Hoche
Number of stars: ****
Another luxurious hotel is located near the Hoche Gardens, which are named after a general who, had he lived long enough, could have, perhaps, outdone Napoleon. The hotel has a gym and sauna for those who want to keep themselves fully prepared in case Napoleon returns again.
Park Hotel Grenoble – MGallery by Sofitel
Number of stars: ****
A luxurious and modern hotel in a central location.
Didn't find a hotel you liked? You are welcome to visit this link, which contains additional hotels.
Lyon
On March 9, after two days in Grenoble, he leaves the city with the nearest destination being Lyon, a city with half a million inhabitants, the second largest in France after Paris.
He entered Lyon on March 10. The city welcomed him enthusiastically. Shortly before his entry, the Duc de Berry, the king's nephew, son of his brother, the Duc D'Artoie, who had been sent from Paris to organize resistance to Napoleon, along with Marshal McDonald, fled. They narrowly escaped as the crowd pursued them.
Napoleon takes up residence in the Archbishop's palace and reviews military orders. His army already reaches 12,000 soldiers.
Napoleon summons the mayor: M. Fergusse.
"You are very young. How old are you?"
“Thirty-six years old, sir.”
“Yes, that’s very young. How did you become mayor?”
"I believe, sir, because it is because of my loyalty to the king."
“Yes, you are very devoted to him!”
“Yes, sir, I nursed this principle with my mother’s milk.”
"Yes, you are a good guy, you served the king well. You will serve me in the same way. I hand over the city to you."
Then as they stand on the balcony and look at the cheering crowds, Napoleon asks him:
“Why are there so many people wearing work clothes?”
“Because only this class supports revolutions, sir. They are quick to cheer social unrest. They will cheer your downfall as much as they cheer your victory.”
And Napoleon answers him in gloomy silence: “Yes, I know.”
Napoleon leaves Lyon on March 12, and he bids farewell to the inhabitants by saying:
Citizens, residents Lyon.
In these moments when I leave your city to enter my capital,
I want to express the feelings you have aroused in me.
You have always been in my head, both when I was on the throne and when I was in exile.
You always evoked the same feelings.
Your unique character has always been appreciated by me.
When the time is quieter, I will return to you to attend to your needs.
And ensure the prosperity of your industry and your city.
People of Lyon, I love you”
While he was in Lyon, a news item was published in the Parisian newspaper Moniteur, which had been the mouthpiece of Napoleon's rule, and now of the king:
The enemy is surrounded on all sides. He will not be able to escape the punishment he deserves, because he no longer controls the situation. He can no longer advance and he cannot retreat. This captain, who was once a great warrior, has lost his talents, and he amuses himself by reviewing his insignificant strength.
And what's happening in Vienna and Paris?
On March 13, the day after he left Lyon at the head of an army of 15,000 men, the heads of the powers, whose news of Napoleon's return had found them in Vienna, announced:
In his escape from Elba, Napoleon violated public order,
And the agreement that allowed him to sit in Alba.
He caused the cancellation of his remaining title.
Returning to France with the aim of causing trouble and chaos, Napoleon outlawed himself,
And there will be no more agreement or peace with him.
Therefore, the powers declare that Napoleon Bonaparte has been removed from civil and social relations.
And as such, as an enemy who disrupts world peace, his blood is permissible!!
And what is happening in Paris? The king calls Marshal Ney to him and orders him to go down south and arrest Napoleon. Ney replies: "Don't worry, I will bring him in an iron cage."
The surrender of Marshal Ney
Ney arrives at Besançon and discovers that the army units at his disposal are limited in number. He has no cannons. He has no orders. Paris sends him no instructions.
A merchant who comes to Lyon tells him that Napoleon's power is growing, but tells him:
Meusieur de La Marechale, you saved France once by forcing him to resign. You will save it again!”
And Ney mutters: “Yes, I will save her if all of France stands behind the king.”
And more: "What do you want? I can't stop the sea with my hands!"
Ney tells his officers: “We are going to attack this wild beast”
And to his close ones he will say:
“The madman, he will never forgive me for forcing him to resign from Fontainebleau. If he succeeds in his mission, it won’t be six months before my head is blown off.”
Although not six months had passed and Ney was executed, it was by order of the king.
He settles in the town of Lons le Solnier, located between Besançon and Auxerre, and prepares for what is to come. He brings cannons and tries to present a tough appearance to his soldiers. News is received that Napoleon's army is growing and that entire units are defecting and moving to him.
At a headquarters meeting, one of the officers suggests using Swiss soldiers. Ney explodes: “If the foot of a foreign soldier steps on French soil – all of France will be with Napoleon.”
Then one of the officers says: “How can I serve under this Bonaparte? – He has caused me harm, he has damaged my honor, while the king has done only good.”
Ney erupts:
“I have respect too!
I can't bear the humiliation anymore.
I can no longer bear the fact that my wife comes home every day with tears in her eyes because of the humiliation she endures.
The king doesn't want us anymore.
That's clear."
And Napoleon, he sends a letter to Ney:
My cousin
My chief of staff sent you an order to march.
I have no doubt that when you hear of my arrival in Lyon, you will not remove the tricolor flag from your soldiers.
Follow Bertrand's orders and join me!
I will receive you as I received you the day after the battle of Moscow.
Then a messenger arrives and delivers Napoleon's letter to him. Ney is agitated. He, not Napoleon, paces his room like a caged lion. Then he comes to a decision. He gathers his battalions in the central square, and opens with his famous speech that will cost him his life:
Officers, soldiers!
Bourbon rule is lost forever.
The legitimate government elected by the French nation is about to return to its throne.
Only Napoleon, our legal ruler, has the right to rule our beautiful country!
What is our business whether the Bourbon nobility leaves our country or lives with us?
The sacred rights of independence and liberty will not long be preserved under the destructive influence of the Bourbons.
They sought to erase our military glory – but they deceived themselves.
This glory is the fruit of noble deeds, and they will not be able to make us forget it.
Soldiers!!
The time has passed when people were ruled by suppressing their rights.
In the end, freedom will triumph, and Napoleon Augustus, our leader, will prove it forever!
Soldiers!
I have often led you to victory,
Now I will lead you to the camp of the immortals, which Napoleon will lead to Paris, where he will arrive in a few days.
Then, all our hopes and happiness will come true.
Long live the Emperor.
Roars of joy from all sides. Soldiers embrace. Ney is not happy. He is driven to this decision against his will.
He met with Napoleon at Auxerre on March 17.
Napoleon tells him: “Hug me, my dear Marshal. I am glad to see you, and there is no need for explanations or excuses.”
And Ney answers heavily: “I am devoted to you, sir, but before all comes the fatherland. His Majesty can be sure that I will support him. Only no more thought of conquests. We must think only of the happiness of France.”
Napoleon enters Paris
Napoleon entered Paris on March 20, as he had announced in advance. The king and his entourage had fled the day before.
The Hundred Days period will begin now.
Napoleon believed in lucky dates, so he chose the 20th of the month, the birthday of his son, whom he loved so much, for his entry into Paris. He also believed in the following dates: December 02 (Coronation, Austerlitz) and June 14 (Marengo, Friedland).
He tried to make the decisive battle of his life in Belgium take place on June 14, but fate had other plans and the event took place on June 18 – an unlucky, very unlucky date.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have brought to you, in a nutshell, the story of the eagle's return from Alba.
Did you like the article? Now it's time to watch the lecture.
The three articles you read are based on Erez Levanon's lecture about Napoleon's return from Elba to Paris. I highly recommend you watch this fascinating lecture, which contains quite a few more images not seen in the article.
More on the subject
Fascinating article. Many thanks.
Thank you for the enlightenment you gave me, which includes information, stories, and events……….