Napoleon covered a lot of ground in his time. Here’s our guide to the hottest destinations linked to the Little Corporal
Napoleon In cinemas from 22 November, and coming soon to Apple TV+
Alicia Miller - 24 November 2023
GENIUS. EMPEROR. WAR HERO. TYRANT.
Taking on the complex life story of the world’s most famous Frenchman is a tall order, but that’s what Ridley Scott has done in his spectacular new film (in cinemas from 22 November, and coming soon to Apple TV+). With elaborate battle scenes, a sultry love story and Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix (pictured above) playing the emperor, Napoleon has all the makings of a cracking period biopic – including some epic filming locations. If shots of a glimmering Paris or soaring pyramids stoke your desire to explore, here’s how you can follow the Little Corporal’s lead.
PARIS
CENTRE OF AN EMPIRE
The city where Napoleon rose to power echoes with his influence. From the Louvre – which spent ten years of its life as the Musée Napoléon – to the Arc de Triomphe, built to commemorate his battle wins, a wander through the historic core of the French capital throws up endless must-sees. Cultival (cultival.fr; £17) runs behind-the-scenes tours at Les Invalides, Napoleon’s grand final resting place, while Broaden Horizons To receive emails with our latest news and offers, visit radiotimes.com/email (broaden-horizons.fr; £131 for two) has private Napoleon-themed city tours taking in everything from Place Vendôme, which features a column erected by the emperor, to the Tuileries Garden, his luxuriant former palace residence.
BOOK IT
Eurostar (eurostar.com) has trains to Paris from £39. Near the Louvre and Tuileries, sleek Madame Rêve (madamereve.com) has doubles from £436.
CORSICA
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
If the French leader’s early years intrigue you, a visit to this Mediterranean island is essential. The headline sight is capital Ajaccio, and the grid-like streets of its old town. Here, Maison Bonaparte – Napoleon’s 1769 birthplace and family home – features reconstructed historic environs and eclectic memorabilia, including a medallion containing some of Napoleon’s hair. Afterwards, pop into Musée Fesch, a fine arts museum founded by the emperor’s uncle Joseph that houses Titian and Botticelli pieces; and the cathedral where baby Bonaparte was baptised. Then it’s on to the island’s forested peaks, golden beaches, chic hotels and sleepy hilltop towns for an R&R-filled break.
BOOK IT
Just Corsica (justcorsica.co.uk) has seven-night breaks in November from £457pp.
SAINT HELENA
END OF AN ERA
After his final defeat by the British in 1815, Napoleon was exiled to Saint Helena, a volcanic landmass off the coast of Angola in the South Atlantic. Midweek flights have launched from Johannesburg, so if you want to explore its mountains, marine life and culture while immersed in Napoleonic history, now’s the time. Once you’ve ticked off Longwood House, Napoleon’s final residence, hike through some of the vast cloud forest that contains 250 species unique to the island.
BOOK IT
Rainbow Tours (rainbowtours.co.uk) has a seven-night Express St Helena holiday from £2,750 per person.
MARTINIQUE
THE CARIBBEAN DREAM
While Napoleon never made it to the tropical climes of the Caribbean, the place touched his life in a significant way: it was the birthplace and childhood home of his beloved first wife Joséphine. Their romance takes centre-stage in the film, and marks of it survive on tiny Martinique. The Pagerie Museum, Joséphine’s birthplace, displays love letters from Napoleon. Then enjoy historic botanical gardens, seaside forts and, of course, beaches: nearby Anse Mitan is among the most popular.
BOOK IT
Club Med (clubmed.co.uk) has a seven-night all-inclusive holiday from £946 per person, excluding flights.
MALTA
THE BODY DOUBLE
Bonaparte only spent a few days on Malta on his way to Egypt, but it was long enough to seize control from the Knights of St John and establish French rule. The sun-soaked isle was a major filming spot for Napoleon, with Baroque capital Valletta, the walled city of Mdina and various coastal hotspots playing host to the crew. Fort Ricasoli outside Valletta takes the part of Toulon on the French Riviera, site of Napoleon’s first victory.
BOOK IT
Thomas Cook (thomascook.com) has seven nights in Malta from £136pp self-catering, including flights.
WALLONIA
MEET YOUR WATERLOO
It all came to an end in Belgium, around the now-world-famous Brussels suburb of Waterloo, where Napoleon was out-strategised by the Duke of Wellington. A 94km Napoleon Route through Wallonia traces the journey the general and his troops took from Hestrud, a small village on the French border, to the battlefield itself. Over a day or two of self-drive touring, stop off at châteaux, monuments and pretty towns, finishing with the Wellington Museum right in the heart of Waterloo itself.
BOOK IT
Eurostar (Eurostar.com) runs to Brussels, a 90-minute drive from Hestrud. Maison Flagey (maisonflagey.com) has beautiful old-world appeal, with doubles available from £139, room only.
GENIUS. EMPEROR. WAR HERO. TYRANT.
Taking on the complex life story of the world’s most famous Frenchman is a tall order, but that’s what Ridley Scott has done in his spectacular new film (in cinemas from 22 November, and coming soon to Apple TV+). With elaborate battle scenes, a sultry love story and Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix (pictured above) playing the emperor, Napoleon has all the makings of a cracking period biopic – including some epic filming locations. If shots of a glimmering Paris or soaring pyramids stoke your desire to explore, here’s how you can follow the Little Corporal’s lead.
PARIS
CENTRE OF AN EMPIRE
The city where Napoleon rose to power echoes with his influence. From the Louvre – which spent ten years of its life as the Musée Napoléon – to the Arc de Triomphe, built to commemorate his battle wins, a wander through the historic core of the French capital throws up endless must-sees. Cultival (cultival.fr; £17) runs behind-the-scenes tours at Les Invalides, Napoleon’s grand final resting place, while Broaden Horizons To receive emails with our latest news and offers, visit radiotimes.com/email (broaden-horizons.fr; £131 for two) has private Napoleon-themed city tours taking in everything from Place Vendôme, which features a column erected by the emperor, to the Tuileries Garden, his luxuriant former palace residence.
BOOK IT
Eurostar (eurostar.com) has trains to Paris from £39. Near the Louvre and Tuileries, sleek Madame Rêve (madamereve.com) has doubles from £436.
CORSICA
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
If the French leader’s early years intrigue you, a visit to this Mediterranean island is essential. The headline sight is capital Ajaccio, and the grid-like streets of its old town. Here, Maison Bonaparte – Napoleon’s 1769 birthplace and family home – features reconstructed historic environs and eclectic memorabilia, including a medallion containing some of Napoleon’s hair. Afterwards, pop into Musée Fesch, a fine arts museum founded by the emperor’s uncle Joseph that houses Titian and Botticelli pieces; and the cathedral where baby Bonaparte was baptised. Then it’s on to the island’s forested peaks, golden beaches, chic hotels and sleepy hilltop towns for an R&R-filled break.
BOOK IT
Just Corsica (justcorsica.co.uk) has seven-night breaks in November from £457pp.
SAINT HELENA
END OF AN ERA
After his final defeat by the British in 1815, Napoleon was exiled to Saint Helena, a volcanic landmass off the coast of Angola in the South Atlantic. Midweek flights have launched from Johannesburg, so if you want to explore its mountains, marine life and culture while immersed in Napoleonic history, now’s the time. Once you’ve ticked off Longwood House, Napoleon’s final residence, hike through some of the vast cloud forest that contains 250 species unique to the island.
BOOK IT
Rainbow Tours (rainbowtours.co.uk) has a seven-night Express St Helena holiday from £2,750 per person.
MARTINIQUE
THE CARIBBEAN DREAM
While Napoleon never made it to the tropical climes of the Caribbean, the place touched his life in a significant way: it was the birthplace and childhood home of his beloved first wife Joséphine. Their romance takes centre-stage in the film, and marks of it survive on tiny Martinique. The Pagerie Museum, Joséphine’s birthplace, displays love letters from Napoleon. Then enjoy historic botanical gardens, seaside forts and, of course, beaches: nearby Anse Mitan is among the most popular.
BOOK IT
Club Med (clubmed.co.uk) has a seven-night all-inclusive holiday from £946 per person, excluding flights.
MALTA
THE BODY DOUBLE
Bonaparte only spent a few days on Malta on his way to Egypt, but it was long enough to seize control from the Knights of St John and establish French rule. The sun-soaked isle was a major filming spot for Napoleon, with Baroque capital Valletta, the walled city of Mdina and various coastal hotspots playing host to the crew. Fort Ricasoli outside Valletta takes the part of Toulon on the French Riviera, site of Napoleon’s first victory.
BOOK IT
Thomas Cook (thomascook.com) has seven nights in Malta from £136pp self-catering, including flights.
WALLONIA
MEET YOUR WATERLOO
It all came to an end in Belgium, around the now-world-famous Brussels suburb of Waterloo, where Napoleon was out-strategised by the Duke of Wellington. A 94km Napoleon Route through Wallonia traces the journey the general and his troops took from Hestrud, a small village on the French border, to the battlefield itself. Over a day or two of self-drive touring, stop off at châteaux, monuments and pretty towns, finishing with the Wellington Museum right in the heart of Waterloo itself.
BOOK IT
Eurostar (Eurostar.com) runs to Brussels, a 90-minute drive from Hestrud. Maison Flagey (maisonflagey.com) has beautiful old-world appeal, with doubles available from £139, room only.
ALICIA MILLER