Napoleon’s Last Residence in France: The Isle of Aix

Only accessible by boat, the Isle of Aix in the department of Charente Maritime (France) is a paradise with no cars and enjoys a protected environment and wildlife. The island is 3 kilometers long, 700 meters large and listed as a “Remarkable Natural Site”.

The South end is occupied by the village and the “Fort de la Rade”, surrounded with fortifications by Vauban (1669) when an important defensive system was built to protect the mouth of the Charente River after the creation of the Rochefort navy arsenal by Louis XIV. The works ended in 1702 and the fort was destroyed by the British in 1757. After the visit of Napoleon in 1808, the emperor orders its re-erection but this one will be completed only in 1837. The island will then receive lasting coastal defences. The fort has two lighthouses and from the pier, one can see the elongated mass of the famous Fort Boyard in the ocean.

Isle of Aix (France) – Napoleon’s last residence. Note the Imperial Eagle topping the fronton.

The centre of the isle comprises a hamlet called “Bois Joly”, countryside and a large beach on the West coast with artillery batteries overlooking the splendid cove. The Northern part is covered with pines and holm-oaks. This is also where a state prison was installed in the “Fort Liédot”.

The “House of Napoleon” was built in 1808 for the Governor of the Isle of Aix. The Emperor spent his last days here on the French territory in July 1815, before making his final decision to surrender to the British who will displace him to another but remote small island : Saint-Helena. Napoleon’s bedroom can be seen in this mansion (see illustration).

Isle of Aix (France) – Napoleon’s bedroom.

Napoleon’s last residence in France was bought in 1925 by Baron Gourgaud, a descendant of the Emperor’s aide-de-camp at Saint-Helena. The Imperial Eagle tops the house whose main entrance shows two classic columns under the balcony from where Napoleon watched ships movements in the roadstead. An important collection of personal effects, furniture, works of art, weapons, autographs and portraits by Appiani, Gros, Isabey is kept here. Empire period clocks are displayed, their hands all indicate 5:49, Napoleon’s death time on May 5, 1821. In the garden an ash-tree grafted by the Emperor on a young elm recalls his visit here.

In 1833, Baron Gourgaud founded another very interesting museum to house his African ethnographical and zoological collections.

The Saint-Martin church in the enceinte was constructed on the location of the former benedictine abbey. In the XIth century crypt were thrown the remains of refractory priests during the French Revolution.

Before leaving the village, through the fortified doorway and drawbridge, take a walk in the wide streets edged with hollyhocks and feel the charming out of time atmosphere.

Isle of Aix (France) – Napoleon’s House. Empire furniture and collections.

Napoleon, King of Italy by Appiani.