Any examination of Napoleon the strategist has to start by defining the notion of strategy and how it evolved. For it was in Napoleon’s time that the notion became inextricably linked to power and the abilities of the person wields it. The word ‘strategy’ in the military world, gradually taking on the meaning and form that are now applied more broadly to politics, the economy, finance and communications.
As the intangible expression of a way of thinking where the skill lies in mastering a vast range of parameters and their interactions, strategy is rarely evoked nowadays without mentioning Napoleon.
The exhibition’s goal is to illustrate and explain the way in which he devised, then applied his strategy. The exhibition draws on maps, documents illustrating the master strategist’s deliberations and objects – vestiges, symbols and representations of historical facts – which embody the tangible reality that strategic thinking seeks to control.
To ensure that the theme is as widely accessible as possible, Napoleon’s role will be illustrated in the context of his era, including a description of his education, abilities, and the means available to him and to his enemies. The exhibition sets out to show the strategist at work, explain the issues at stakes and how campaigns progressed, and get to the heart of the action to analyse his most famous battles, defeats as well as victories.
Although the new event is separate from the permanent collection galleries devoted to the Revolution and the Empire, it contributes to them with a complementary viewpoint. Specially designed multimedia tools offer an immersive experience to help visitors grasp what is an abstract and complex notion. The permanent galleries will feature brand new digital installations providing a more narrative and explanatory approach to Napoleon’s strategic ideas. Visitors will be able to move freely between these two approaches.
Download the visit booklet of the exhibition Napoleon strategist in English (PDF - 2,6Mo) Download the visit booklet of the exhibition Napoleon strategist in French (PDF - 2,6Mo)