THE MUSEUM NAPOLEON AND JOSEPHINE

INSIDE THE HOTEL SAINT LOUIS AUTUN,

The fascinating history of the Hotel Saint Louis in Autun since 1655 revolves around the great Kings of the epoch ;

The Sun King Louis XIV, the creator of Versailles, issued written orders to transfer the Nuns who are staying at the Hotel to the Abbey of Rougement in 1673.

The King of France Louis XV gives instructions that the Hotel de la Poste be renamed Hôtel SAINT LOUIS to commemorate King Louis IX of France who was canonised in 1297.

Napoleon a former student with his brother Joseph at the Lycée in Autun founded in 1709 by the Jesuits – today known as Lycée Bonaparte – retained throughout his life a profound love for the town of Autun which he revisited on many occasions by staying at the Hotel Saint Louis in his imperial suite.

The Suite Napoleon

Most of the Furniture of the Suite is original, in particular the two separate mahogany beds of the Imperial couple. The integrity of the Suite has been carefully restored by experts from the Lycée Bonaparte in Autun.

The Emperor Napoleon

And his wife The

Empress Josephine During the reign of the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, a luxury Suite was installed at the Hotel St. Louis with two separate imperial mahogany beds to accommodate His Majesty as and when required. Recorded stays at the Hotel include those of

1802. The Emperor heading towards Lyon, where he had summoned the five hundred members of the Italian Parliament, stayed at the Hotel St. Louis with his wife the Empress Josephine. They were received by the Town Council before taking supper in the restaurant of the Hotel.

1805. Travelling from Paris to Milan, the Emperor stayed again at the Hotel.

1805. Napoleon, returning from Turin stayed again in his Suite at the Hotel.

1815. After having left Elba, Napoleon arrived at the Hotel St. Louis. From his Suite he summoned the Town Council and Mayor to dismiss them from their posts. He reproached them by saying:

“France is unhappy, France has called me back and you want to

oppose it”.

At that moment an Officer of the Guard entered the Napoleon Suite; proclaiming the support of Field Marshall Ney and his Army Corps. Napoleon thereafter requested the printer of Autun to enter and handed him a large number of decrees to be printed.

The Duke

Of Orleans 1832 His Royal Highness the Duke of Orleans stayed at the Hotel St. Louis in the Napoleon Suite. Following a visit to the Rolin Museum, he received the Town Council and Military Officers of Autun and hosted a dinner in the restaurant for 50 guests.

George Sand 1836 The famous writer George Sand stayed at the Hotel St. Louis with her two children. In a riposte some months later she expressed her indignation at being slighted by insensitive comments made by the Aristocracy of Autun.

HRH the Queen

Christine

of Portugal 1841 Her Royal Highness Queen Christine of Portugal stayed at the Hotel St. Louis on her stopover in Autun while on the way to Paris. The next day she attended mass and was greeted by the Governor and the Mayor. She was accompanied by a treasurer, two secretaries, a doctor and a Lady-in-Waiting.

Le Comte de

Paris 1873 Yet another visit at the Hotel St. Louis by a Prince of Royal blood, Monseigneur le Comte de Paris, accompanied by one of his friends stayed overnight in the Suite Napoleon visiting the Cathedral the following day.

The invention of the Automobile facilitated the visits of some of the most famous names in history at the Hotel Saint Louis including

In 1927 Le Duc Louis d’Orléans Bragance ; l’ancien Ministre de la Guerre et Sénateur de l’Ain Le Général Meurieu ; Georges Lecorut de l’Académie Française;

In 1928 Jules Michel, le Secrétaire Général de la Présidence de la République ; Le Marquis de Talleyrand ; Le Viscomte de Chartiges ; La Princesse Marie Radjisiels ; M et Mme Sato, Ministre Plenipotentier Japonais ;

In 1929 RUDYARD KIPLING ; Le Comte et Comtesse de Garnier ; Mr. N. Fedoroff, ancien Procureur Impérial du Tsar de Russie ; STANLEY BALDWIN, Chancelier et Ministre des Finances et Premier Ministre du Royaume Uni ; Le Comte de Rohan-Chabot ; Le Marquis de Cadellau ;

In 1930 Le Gouverneur de la Banque de France ; William Graham, Ministre du Courrier du Royaume Uni ; Le Général Shimizu, Délégation militaire Japonaise ; Le Viscomte de Rohay ; André Tardieu, Président du Conseil ;

In 1933 Albert Schweitzer ;

In 1937 FRANCOIS DARLAN, Amiral ;

In 1938 Edouard Herriot, ancien Président du Conseil, Président de la Chambre des Députés ;

Since 1945 François Mitterrand, Président de la République Française ; Paul Reynaud, Président du Conseil ; Butraham Abdullail, Le Raja de Perlis, Fédération de Malaisie, Monsieur Lecanuet ; Monsieur Sarkozi and a large number of distinguished personalities from all walks of life who prefer our discretion

Paris-Nice

Guide Michelin 1900-2000 The Hotel St. Louis celebrates yet another century. The first Guide Michelin in 1900 recommends the Hotel Restaurant St. Louis for overnight accommodation on the famous Paris-Nice road that attracted motorists from all over the world. This old Napoleonic road is still today an enjoyable route away from the monotony and boredom of modern motorways.

Grand Hotel

St. Louis 1906 The new owner of the Hotel St. Louis updates its decor and facilities and it is renamed Grand Hotel in keeping with its luxurious amenities.

SIEGEL glass Vitrines The 9 exclusive SIEGEL glass display cabinets which adorn the Hotel are unique and date from the 1920s.

Only the Hotel Crillon in Paris has 4 of the same cabinets.

Wine Cellars The wine cellars of the Hotel date back to before the Hotel was built in 1655 and could possibly be of Gallic-Roman-Medieval origin according to recent research by the Town Architect.

Garage ceiling The garage of the Hotel is also quite unique in that it is adorned with publicity of local traders from the 1920s.