To travel Europe is to be faced with a large number of Napoleonic museums, along with many more that have significant Napoleonic items (the Louvre comes to mind here). I am often asked which one is my favorite. There is, of course, only one answer to that question: all of them! Here, then, is a selection of some of the best that I have seen. Some are well known, and often visited. Others are less well known, and often overlooked. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and my remarks and photographs are only meant to encourage you to explore these treasures on your own.

Chateau de Fontainebleau, Musee Napoleon I. Located an hour or so drive outside of Paris, Fontainebleau is probably most remembered as the site of Napoleon's first abdication in 1814, with the famous good-by in the courtyard. The Napoleon Museum was opened in 1986, and is dedicated to the Emperor and his family. Based on the collections of Prince Napoleon, with many important additions, this museum provides a little bit of everything. There are wonderful examples of Empire furniture, and of snuff boxes. One of the most special items was the Sevres Service Particulier de l'Empereur, designed by Baron Denon. But whatever your interest, this museum has more than enough to satisfy your thirst for items Napoleonic! If you only see one museum about Napoleon, consider this one.

Musee Napoleonien. While you are in the village of Fontainebleau, be sure to leave time for this frequently missed museum. This private collection features a diorama of the adieu de Fontainebleau (see photo 2), various military and other items, and the inevitable "hat worn by Napoleon," this one at the battle of Ratisbonne in 1809 (see photo 3) where he was wounded in the foot. While clearly not on the level of the other museum in Fontainebleau, this is well worth an hour or so of your time.

Musee du Louvre. In Paris, of course, Napoleon is everywhere. The best known museum in the world, the Louvre, has plenty of incredible Napoleonic items, ranging from huge portraits by Jacques Louis David to the somewhat surprising crown used at Napoleon's coronation.

Musee de l'Armee. Another well known museum (see photo 4 at left), The Musee de l'Armee is sometimes passed over by people who only stop to see Napoleon's tomb. This is a tremendous mistake. The collection, like that of the Louvre, contains far more than just Napoleonic items. But what amazing items they have!

Uniforms, his campaign tent (see photo 5 at right), yet another hat, and, of course, a large collection of battle flags (see photo 6 at left).

A breast-plate taken from Waterloo provides a dose of reality in a museum full of war's more glorious aspects. This museum is huge, and will take a couple of hours just to do the Napoleonic section justice. [If you only see one Napoleonic military museum, consider this one.]

Museums:

Napoleonic Museums in and around Paris
Napoleonic Museums at Waterloo
Napoleonic Museums in Rome, Monaco, S. France
The Wellington Museum in London
Ultimate Reference for Finding Napoleonic Sites

Related:

The Museo de Risorgimento in Milan, Italy