It’s bitter cold here in Paris, France, on the morning of December 2nd 1804! A huge crowd fills the square facing the magnificent cathedral of Notre-Dame, where an historic event is taking place: in March of this year the Senate offered First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte the title of Emperor, and a law was voted on May 18, whose first article reads: "The government of the Republic is vested in an Emperor, who takes the title of Emperor of the French." Now – after having carefully planned his crowning ceremony as he has always done with his battles – Napoleon is here to show to the world that he is the founder of the "fourth dynasty", that of Bonaparte, after the Merovingians, the Carolingians, and Capetians. He even managed to convince a reluctant Pope Pius VII to come from Rome to bless his crowning! Ah, if all the brave Frenchmen who died to overthrow one throne could see the superb fruit of their sacrifice! ( Just a note: yes we know, Jacques-Louis David will paint this event inside the church, but we like to think that here more people could see it and enjoy the historic moment…hope you’ll forgive the small trick! He also played some nasty ones, in his large and famous masterpiece…) But now follow me, I’ll tell you more about this exciting day…


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