Column of the Grande Armée

The Column of the Grande Armée rises 53 meters high and features a Corinthian order design with a statue of Napoleon at its summit.

Construction began in 1804 with funds from soldiers' wages, marking Napoleon's planned invasion of England and the first distribution of the Imperial Legion of Honor.

The monument exhibits French military heritage through its museum, which displays historical artifacts and the original bronze statue of Napoleon in coronation attire.

Visitors can climb 263 steps to reach the observation platform, offering views of the Boulonnais region and the surrounding coastal landscape.

The current statue depicts Napoleon as a military commander facing away from England, replacing an earlier version that faced toward Britain in coronation garments.

Location: Wimille

Architects: Éloi Labarre

Official opening: August 15, 1841

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

Address: Camp de Boulogne

Opening Hours: October 01-June 14 Friday-Sunday 10:00-12:00, 14:00-16:00; June 15-September 30 Wednesday-Sunday 10:00-12:30, 14:30-18:30; January 01 off; May 01 off; November 01 off; December 25 off; November 08-December 18 off

Website: https://colonne-grande-armee.fr

GPS coordinates: 50.74119,1.61833

Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:41