Napoleon, a landing with fanfare

They came from Hungary, Poland, Italy… grenadiers, acrobats, artillerymen, horsemen… In short, there were more than 300 of them who met in Vallauris Golfe-Juan on March 4 and 5 to celebrate Napoleon’s landing on March 1, 1815. An event which was a great success.

“We had more than 20,000 visitors. » Walter Rocher has reason to be satisfied. It was the second time (the first was last September) that “Le chant du départ, 37ème de ligne” the association he chairs, was in charge of this demonstration. A meeting that has existed for many years but which deserved a boost and above all a clear repositioning. “We are not an events agency but an association which brings together enthusiasts of Napoleonic historical re-enactments used to traveling across Europe to participate in re-enactments such as the battles of Wagram, Austerlitz and Bard. » Real grumps! But grunts more driven by the desire to share their passion than to spread the word. As a result, the Vallauris-Golfe-Juan operation now takes on a completely different scale with the objective of no longer leaving spectators as simple… spectators but offering them an immersive and educational experience. The public was therefore able to get as close as possible to the daily life of soldiers through the creation of an imperial village with a lazaret, blacksmith, infirmary… but also to familiarize themselves with military strategies by attending two battles of the Grande Armée, Esseling and Wagram, with live commentary by a historian located at the heart of the action.

And the boats in all this? Far from being an accessory, Walter wants to put the church back in the center of the village or rather the landing at the heart of the event. “It is the anchor point of this commemoration on the one hand but above all we must not forget that Napoleon had landed with 1,000 soldiers. We are therefore keen to recreate such an event. » While waiting to see the beach of Golfe-Juan trodden by so many boots, two vessels for this edition were requested to disembark the Emperor. The “Rose of Jericho” and the “Yole” of Villefranche. “The owners and crews were wonderful and immediately agreed to participate. Jericho took Napoleon on board from the quay and transported it offshore to the “Yole” which deposited it on the beach at 10:30 a.m. precisely. To the cheers of the crowd!”