NAPOLEONIC WARS

Anyone with an interest in Napoleon must see Paris. Many of the grand monuments Napoleon planned for Paris were never built, but two triumphal arches are the Arc de Triomphe and the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel were a major part of his legacy. The empire style of design and architecture carried on through Napoleon III's reign and can be seen in the State Apartments of Napoleon III in the Louvre. Much of the Louvre was rebuilt under Napoleon. La Madeleine Church was also inaugurated in his reign.

Les Invalides, houses Napoleon's tomb and is included in a complex also housing French military museums.

Apsley House, London, No. 1, is the London home of the first Duke of Wellington. This spectacular house designed by Robert Adams purchased by the Duke at the culmination of his military career. Here you can view Wellington memorabilia, as well as many of the Duke's prize possessions from his military campaigns and political life. Some of the 'spoils of war" include a Sevres Egyptian dinner and dessert service commissioned by Napoleon for his Empress Josephine.

Stratfield Saye, Reading, England, was the country estate awarded to the Duke of Wellington by a grateful nation on his victory over Napoleon at Waterloo. Here you can view how the great Duke lived and see the Wellington exhibition which will take you through Wellington's life with an emphasis on his career as a soldier and statesman. The exhibit ends with a detailed description of his State Funeral and includes the funeral car which carried his coffin.