"The man who keeps Napoleon’s memory alive on St Helena" Topic

"Michel Dancoisne-Martineau knows that the story of Napoleon's life in exile is timeless – and irresistible.

The Frenchman is tasked with preserving the property where Napoleon Bonaparte lived after being exiled to the remote South Atlantic island of Saint Helena in 1815 and remained until his death six years later.

One of the few Frenchmen on the British island of just 4,200 people, Mr Dancoisne-Martineau manages a 16.5 hectare plot of French territory.

"I want this to last after me," said the smiling 49-year-old as his dog Papillon, Butterfly in French, lay at the foot of the bed where France's greatest military hero died…"
Full article here
link

Amicalement
Armand

I'm glad to see this. Napoleon and is legacy, particulalry in his final years deserves remembrance and study.

A Napoleonic era-themed cruise ship package to Saint Helena. Salt pork, hardtack, and rum three times a day on the voyage over. A tour of the island and Napoleon's quarters. What a great holiday!

Can you imagine what they'd have for sale in the gift shop?

Thanks for another fascinating link Armand.

@ dBerczerk: where can I get my tickets for that cruise?

Judging by the stuff they sell near the Lion Mound at Waterloo, a St. Helena gift shop would probably just be a kiosk (closed most of the time), with some Napoleon tea-towels, licorice bicornes, and some sticks of 'extra-thick rock' with either 'Boney Woz 'Ere' or 'Prometheus' running through them.

In case anyone doesn't know about rock, of the Blackpool or Brighton variety: link

But on a more serious note, I agree with Tom: I'm with Andrew Roberts on the Napoleon The Great debate. Just because the 'Corsican upstart' was beaten and sent into exile, we shouldn't let the historical legacy of his final years fade away. Good job they've got a Frecnhman there. If it were left to 'perfidious Albion' we probably would let Napoleon's legacy fade away.

Cheers, Seb

Having just read the article Armand links to…

1) Yes, there will be a gift shop:

"Hopefully, we will privatise the management of the building," he said. "There will be a shop and ticketed entry."

I hope they sell my patented 'Prometheus' rock and licorice Bicornes!

2) Whoever wrote that piece (and it's a French press agency) clearly isn't a Napoleonic history buff:

'After the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon surrendered to the English, hoping for lenient treatment. He must have never imagined they would banish him to a no-man's land so far from Europe.'

As any self-respecting Boneyphile ought to know, one of the reasons Napoleon quit Elba for his final adventure in France was precisely because he was aware of plans to pack him off to more isolated parts.

Happy you enjoyed it my friend!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

Sebastian… I agree with you, but there were other factors who push him from there. One of the most importance was … money!. The Bourbons never paid what they signed.

Amicalement
Armand