The last will and testament of NapolĂŠon Bonaparteâ
Written by his valet Louis Marchand but signed by NapolĂŠon himself. The document was formally authenticated in Paris on 26 March 1853, when it was signed, numbered, and initialed by Debelleyme, President of the Court of the Seine, and by the imperial notary NoĂŤl. In his will, NapolĂŠon appointed Charles-Tristan de Montholon, Henri-Gatien Bertrand, and Marchand as executors of his estate.
On the sixth page appears a statement dated 10 December 1821, written in English by the Count de Montholon, the principal executor. It is signed on his behalf by Stephen Lushington, confirming both the contents and the legal validity of the will. At the bottom of the same page is another notation dated 5 August 1824, referring again to the will and to seven legal codes associated with it.
The final page contains a note signed by Alexandre Colonna-Walewski, NapolĂŠonâs son and later ambassador of Napolèon III to Queen Victoria, acknowledging the transfer of the document.
On 4 March 2026, the testament was presented to the public during the opening of the exhibition âThe Testament of Napoleon Iâ at the National Archives of France in Paris. Among the guests present at the inauguration were Count Nicolas Walewski and his son Lucien.
