Imagine growing up with the world’s most famous uncle, the one who conquered Europe and redefined France. For young Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, bedtime stories came with cavalry charges and imperial dreams.

In this episode, we follow the nephew who turned admiration into ambition, rising from exile to become Napoléon III, Emperor of the French.

Join us as we talk about France's Last Monarch!

Timecodes
Introduction
04:27 - A Royal without a Kingdom

09:49 - Conspiracies and the Road to Power

17:08 - From President to Emperor

22:38 - The Empire Strikes Back

29:21 - The Liberal Empire

36:41 - The Collapse

42:34 - Conclusion

Relevant Episodes:

Napoléon Part II - From Paris to Saint Helena

The 1830 Revolution. Barricades in Paris!

Music: Marche pour la cérémonie des Turcs, composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged and performed by Jérôme Arfouche.

Artwork: Napoléon III en uniforme de général de division dans son grand cabinet des Tuileries. Hippolyte Flandrin, 1861. Château de Versailles.

Support the show

Reach out, support the show and give me feedback!