Place of exile of the French emperor, Elba welcomed Napoleon for around 10 months, from 3 May 1814 to 26 February 1815. During his stay on the island, Napoleon had two residences:

Villa dei Mulini: located in the upper part of the historic centre of Portoferraio, on the cliff overlooking Viste beach, about halfway between Forte Falcone and Forte Stella. It owes its name to the presence of several windmills before Napoleon's arrival. The villa was an 18th-century building that was adapted and converted into an imperial residence.

Villa di San Martino: located on the outskirts of Portoferraio, it was purchased by the emperor and created by extending and converting a pre-existing country house. The villa itself is small and modest and should not be confused with the Galleria Demidoff, built several decades later at the request of Prince Anatolio Demidoff.