Napoleon I’s Last Will: A Special Free Exhibition at the National Archives

" I wish for my ashes to rest by the banks of the Seine," this phrase is well known, but few have seen the handwriting of the man who penned it. In April 1821, on Saint Helena, Napoleon I knew that his time was running out. Sick and weakened, he spent from April 15 to 27 writing a new 58-page will. This document isn’t just a list of bequests; it’s a condensed portrait of his life, displayed from March 4 to June 29, 2026 at the heart of the National Archives in Paris.

Here, we find the warrior, the head of state, but above all the man who refuses to die — "defeated and unavenged". This heartfelt cry for the French people, whom he famously declared he loved so much, marks the highlight of a document that took nearly 40 years to reach the National Archives in 1860. The Exhibition doesn't just display the paper; it delves into the mental journey of the Emperor confronting death.

During his exile, he alternated between writing passionate memoirs to defend his imperial dignity and retreating into periods of solitude, swapping the pen for a shovel as he tended to his garden. It was only after learning of his sister Élisa's death and sensing his own health waning that he finally resolved to formalize his final wishes, initially dictating them to his chamberlain Montholon and later rewriting them himself.

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Discovering this testament is also a journey through the political history of the 19th century. Before resting in the Iron Cabinet, the manuscript survived four different regimes and was at the center of diplomatic tensions with England. The marks on the paper tell the story of this long and intricate saga, involving many actors and shedding light on the behind-the-scenes drama of a truly extraordinary will execution.

This temporary exhibition offers a rare opportunity to closely observe the physical traces—sketches, stains, trembling handwriting—left by a man who, until his last breath, grappled with controlling his own fate. The Iron Cabinet, where his will is kept, is a historic safe built during the French Revolution to safeguard the nation's most precious documents.

Nestled in the heart of the Hôtel de Soubise, its keys are fiercely protected. As a result, any document retrieval is a rare and special event! However, don’t expect a grand exhibition; only a few documents and a medal are showcased in this "Remarkable" series, following the display of Victor Hugo’s will. Consequently, you will see only a small selection of pages from the testament.

A small interactive exhibit allows visitors to handle a reproduction of the seal Napoleon used to secure his letters—perfect for youngsters or the curious. Since access to the Archives is free, taking a moment to get a close-up look at this piece of history is always worth it. And while you're there, take the opportunity to explore the rest of this remarkable venue!