Napoleon's Personal Effects: The Hat, The Coat, The Legend

Napoleon was a master of branding. His silhouette—the bicorne hat worn sideways and the simple grey greatcoat—is instantly recognizable. The Musée de l'Armée holds the holy grail of Napoleonic artifacts.

The Bicorne (The Hat)

Napoleon had about 120 hats made during his reign. Only about 20 survive. The museum displays one of the felt bicornes worn during his campaigns.

• The Look: Unlike his officers who wore their hats front-to-back, Napoleon wore his "en bataille" (side-to-side) so he could be spotted instantly on the battlefield.

The Grey Redingote (Greatcoat)

Seeing the simple grey wool coat is surprisingly emotional. It is small (Napoleon was average height for his time, but small by modern standards) and unadorned. It tells the story of a general who preferred to sleep by the campfire with his men rather than in a palace.

Other Treasures

• The Coronation Camp Bed: A folding iron bed used during campaigns. Even at war, he maintained a strict routine.
• Pistols and Swords: Ornate ceremonial weapons encrusted with gold and gems.
• The Tent: Sections of his field tent, effectively his mobile palace, are reconstructed.

These items humanize the legend. You are looking at the clothes of a man who reshaped Europe.