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  1. Island of Elba
  2. Discovering Elba
  3. History of Elba
  4. Following the footsteps of Napoleon
    • The arrival in Elba
    • The first night
    • The Villa dei Mulini
    • Napoleon and Elba
    • The Villa in San Martino
    • Madame Mère's arrival
    • Love story with Maria Walewska
    • Paolina Borghese and her parties
    • Napoleon leaves Elba

Napoleon Bonaparte's exile on the Island of Elba

Story of the French emperor's exile in Elba in 1814

In addition to its crystal-clear sea, the colors of its nature, and the richness of its minerals, the Island of Elba is known worldwide for one great name: NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.

After the disastrous Battle of Leipzig and following the Treaty of Fontainebleau of April 14, 1814, Napoleon, until then Emperor of all of Europe, was forced to abdicate the throne of France and accept a very different empire: the Island of Elba.

Yes, because, contrary to what many think, Napoleon was not imprisoned on Elba: he chose the island for his exile and ruled it, bringing more innovations than any government had ever made.

For the first time after centuries, the Island of Elba was united under a single flag, and for the first time, after a life of battles and movements, Napoleon Bonaparte was forced to stop and govern a territory that would remember him forever.

This section aims to briefly relive the ten months of Napoleon's stay on Elba by retracing the symbolic places of his exile, those less known from his private life, and some stories and anecdotes told by the voice of Sandro Foresi (S. Foresi, Napoleon the Poor Man, 1941).

In 2014, the Island of Elba celebrated the Bicentenary of Napoleon Bonaparte's Exile on the island with numerous events and historical reenactments.

2021 will be another year dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte. The official opening of the events and initiatives scheduled on Elba will take place on May 5, the Bicentenary of his death.

The arrival in Elba

The emperor chose the Island of Elba for his 10 month exile Read more

The first night

Napoleon is given hospitality, on the night of his arrival, in the Town building in Portoferraio. Read more

The Villa dei Mulini

Napoleon found the perfect place to stay: the Villa dei Mulini in the old historical part of Portoferraio. Read more

Napoleon and Elba

The intense military, economic and social work carried out by Napoleon while he was exiled on the island Read more

The Villa in San Martino

Napoleon buys the Villa in San Martino as his summer residence and love nest with Maria Luisa. Read more

Madame Mère's arrival

On August 2nd Napoleon's mother, Letizia, goes to Portoferraio where she remains until the end of her son's exile. Read more

Love story with Maria Walewska

Napoleon's lover arrives in Elba on September 1st 1814, and went with him to the Madonna del Monte hermitage, a much loved place of Napoleon. Read more

Paolina Borghese and her parties

The third lady who made Napoleon's 300 days in Elba more pleasant was Paolina Borghese, his sister. Read more

Napoleon leaves Elba

Napoleon didn't flee from Elba, but organized his departure many days before. Read more

You might also like...

Bicentenary Napoleon's deathBicentenary Napoleon

Further reading

Villa dei MuliniSan Martino VillaLetizia's homesThe Vigilanti Theatre "Renato Cioni"Misericordia ChurchThe flag of ElbaNapoleon spring
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  • Find accommodation
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  • Hotels
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  • Farm holidays
  • Campsites
  • Farm campsites
  • Apartments and holiday homes
  • Villas and independent houses
  • Villas
  • Luxury accommodations
  • Travel info
  • Ferries
  • How to reach the island
  • Getting around the island
  • Car and scooter rental
  • Online scooter rental
  • Taxi and car hire
  • Elba Island
  • Beaches and coasts
  • Towns and villages
  • What to see
  • Tuscan Archipelago National Park
  • Recommended itineraries
  • Webcams
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  • Water sports
  • Outdoor sports
  • Wine & Food Experience
  • Guided tours
  • Boat trips
  • Elba by bike
  • Events and festivals
  • Services
  • Restaurants and pizzerias
  • Tourist and real estate agencies
  • Campers and caravans
  • Beach establishments
  • Boat rental
  • Bike and e-bike rental
  • Weather
  • Useful numbers

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