Death mask of Napoleon, 1901
© Musée national de la Marine In 1840, as part of a plan to boost the popularity of King Louis-Philippe, Napoleon's body was disinterred and returned to France on the Belle Poule. On 15 December, the funeral carriage was drawn through Paris to the sound of cannon fire and the ringing of bells.

About 600,000 people watched the procession. Napoleon was finally laid to rest in the Invalides, the French hospital for army veterans.

Napoleon contributed greatly to the reshaping of Europe. His rationalization of antiquated legal systems and his preservation of the revolutionary principle of equality before the law – detailed in the Code Napoléon – were particularly important. Their influence can still be seen today.

Ultimately, however, Napoleon's ruthless drive for territorial expansion could not be sustained. The defeat of the Combined Fleet at Trafalgar made a vital contribution to his eventual downfall.