Birthday of an Emperor today – 15 August

Today, is a significant day for birthday recognition in French history as it is Napoléon’s birthday.   Much debated for his military decisions he remains one of France’s iconic figures and today is the 246th anniversary of his birth in Ajaccio, Corsica.

Monument at Golfe Juan port marking Napoléon's place of landing / Column bust on Ave de la Liberté, Golfe Juan

Monument at Golfe Juan port marking Napoléon’s place of landing / Column bust on Ave de la Liberté, Golfe Juan

Far from Corsica and much closer to home, the town of Golfe Juan is marking his birthday today with free animations and parades with period costumes.

The day’s programme download (in French) is here: Napoleonbirthday

The English translation is:

11am Wreath laying at the Napoléon monument at the Vieux Port followed by a parade through town

11.30am Imperial Dance demonstrations on avenue de Verdun

8pm Parade from Théâtre de la Mer to the Vieux Port

9pm Imperial Dance demonstrations at the Vieux Port

9.30pm Open air ball with the Trilogy Orchestra at the Vieux Port

9.45pm  Imperial Dance demonstrations at Port Camille Rayon

Todays festivities are arranged by the Tourism Office of Vallauris Golfe-Juan who also organised the amazing Bicentennial back in March commemorating Napoléon’s landing at Golfe Juan which I had the pleasure to write about here Napoléon’sBicentenaire

Scenes from previous years of the historical re-enactment of Napoléon's landing at Golfe Juan beach

Scenes from previous years of the historical re-enactment of Napoléon’s landing at Golfe Juan beach