The Return of the Ashes

The return of Napoleon's remains to Paris in 1840, orchestrated by Louis-Philippe's government, demonstrated the legend's continuing power and the French monarchy's need for popular legitimacy. The elaborate funeral procession, attended by hundreds of thousands of Parisians, revealed how Napoleon's memory had been transformed from defeat into triumph.

The construction of Napoleon's tomb at Les Invalides created a pilgrimage site that reinforced the legend while providing a focus for French nationalism. The monument's grandeur, contrasting with the simplicity of his grave on St. Helena, symbolized France's restored greatness and its continuing identification with Napoleonic achievement.