Musée Bernadotte, Historical museum in Pau, France
The Musée Bernadotte is a museum housed in an 18th-century building constructed with pebbles, bricks, and cut stone, featuring wooden galleries surrounding a central courtyard. The rooms contain portraits, caricatures, and memorabilia that trace the story of someone who rose from a French military officer to a Scandinavian king.
Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte was born in this house in 1763 and later became a high-ranking French military officer under Napoleon. He was chosen as King of Sweden in 1818 and founded a dynasty that continues to rule there today.
The museum displays the bond between France and Sweden through paintings, personal objects, and royal artifacts from different periods. This collection shows how deeply connected the two nations became through one family's journey.
The building is straightforward to explore and its various rooms are clearly marked, making it easy to browse at your own pace. Groups of 10 to 30 people can arrange guided tours by booking in advance.
The Swedish royal family took an unusual step in helping to rescue this house by providing funds in 1946 to acquire and preserve it as a museum. This remarkable involvement demonstrates how deep the personal connection remained between the family and their ancestor's birthplace.
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