NAPOLEON, The Immersive Saga

NAPOLEON, the Immersive Saga

Saint-Helena, Longwood House • 1817

Under the dark clouds of the Atlantic, Napoleon welcomes you to his last abode on Saint Helena. The emperor, exiled and reclusive, takes you into his confidence and lets you delve into his memories. As he narrates, everything comes to life: the staff meeting on the eve of the battle of Austerlitz, a cavalry attack by the cuirassiers of the Guards, the construction of the Vendôme column, the icy atmosphere of the Berezina, the final journey to St Helena...

Prior to the virtual reality experience, you'll discover a unique exhibition with authentic objects of Napoleon and from his era: weapons and uniforms, paintings and objects that belonged to the emperor. These exceptional items come from the War Heritage Institute's collections and will provide visitors with a valuable historical and cultural context for the Napoleonic epic, preparing them for the immersive experience.

1. Sabre model year XI for the Chasseurs troops  |  This sabre with scabbard was used by the light cavalry and in particular by Malmedy Honorary Guard. A label states that the sabre supposedly belonged to Jean-Hubert Cavens. However, research has shown that Jean-Hubert Cavens was never part of the Malmedy Honorary Guard. The researcher thereby concludes that this collection piece is a ‘supercherie’, in other words misleading or fraudulent. However, it remains a beautiful piece to admire.

2. Sword for a war commissioner, France, before 1803 | This wapen had mainly a ceremonial function. It was extensively fitted with high-quality materials and decorations with symbolic significance. The symbolic nature of the ram and the ram's head dates back to ancient times. For the Egyptians, Greeks, Celts and Romans, the ram represents strength, leadership, authority, energy, virility, protection and fearlessness. The ram is also the first sign of the Zodiac (zodiac - Aries). The planet associated with the Aries is Mars, which represents the God of War. In a period marked by neoclassicism, it is therefore not surprising that people decided to decorate the coat of arms of a war commissioner with it.

3. Sabre for an officer with the city of Ghent’s Honorary Guard  | This sabre is of the type used by the Mounted Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard, but with a silver hilt. It belonged to Lieven Bauwens, who received this sabre because he filled the role of lieutenant colonel in the Honorary Guard of Ghent. A staunch supporter of Napoleon and influential industrialist, Bauwens received a visit from the French Emperor in 1810, who decorated him with the cross of the ‘Légion d'honneur’ on 9 May the same year.

4. Honorary rifle belonging to Sergeant Tinlot (France, Consulate) | Honorary rifle is a flintlock musket given by First Consul Napoleon to Sergeant Thinlot as a reward for a heroic performance during the Battle of Hohenlinden (3 December 1800). A silver plate on the right side of the shoulder button describes his heroic act: an enemy cannon was about to fire on the French column, but after a charge by Thinlot he managed to kill the enemy artilleryman just before it could fire. In this way, he most probably saved many French lives.

This virtual reality experience is presented in collaboration with Sandora.

Sandora is a producer and distributor of immersive cultural experiences in virtual reality. The studio wishes to make culture accessible to all by promoting historical, scientific, artistic and environmental heritage through unique and engaging stories.