Valley of the Tomb, Former grave site in Sane Valley, Saint Helena
The Valley of the Tomb is a former grave site in Sane Valley on Saint Helena, consisting of a rectangular plot enclosed by iron railings. Cypress trees and native plants surround the area, which sits within a gently rolling green valley landscape.
Napoleon Bonaparte was buried here from 1821 to 1840, before French authorities transferred his remains to Les Invalides in Paris. The empty grave remained as a memorial site and reflects the period of British dominance in the South Atlantic.
The name refers to the original purpose of this fenced enclosure, which held the grave of a historically important person for almost two decades. The cypress avenue and iron railings recall European cemetery traditions that took root here amid the island's subtropical landscape.
The site lies about three kilometers from Jamestown and is accessible via a well-trodden path through the valley. The local tourism office organizes guided walks for visitors who want to learn more about the location.
British soldiers were stationed nearby to monitor French pilgrims who visited the grave of their former emperor. The guard station remains partly visible today and recalls the political tensions of that era.
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