The history of the Military School of Paris is intimately linked to the career of Emperor Napoleon I.* This is why, on the occasion of the European Heritage Days, the Military School offers an exhibition devoted to the life of the young Bonaparte, a student at the Royal Military School, and the reconstruction of a Napoleonic bivouac.

• The young Bonaparte crossed the gates of the prestigious Royal Military School in 1784, at the age of 15, as a gentleman’s cadet, that is, a cadet officer. In 1785, after only one year, he obtained his sub-lieutenancy certificate. Ten years later, already a brigadier general and armed arm of the Revolution, he set up his headquarters and barracks his troops there. From 1804 until 1814, the Military School and the Champ-de-Mars served as settings to celebrate the Emperor, to honour his valiant Grognards and to celebrate the highlights of his personal life. Even today, the majority of the Military School’s courses are named after soldiers killed in the battles of Austerlitz and Marengo.