Column Napoleon - Boulogne sur mer

NAPOLEON COLUMN of the Grand Army of Boulogne sur Mer

In May 1803, after breaking the short-lived Peace of Amiens, Bonaparte, First Consul, decided to set up an expedition against England.

For this, it brings in Boulogne-sur-Mer a group of 150,000 men who will train for two years for disembarkation. A flotilla is incorporated under the command of Admiral Bruix.

During his many visits to Boulogne, the Emperor is the castle of Pont de Brique.


Unable to ensure its naval supremacy and threatened by a new coalition, the emperor abandoned his project in 1805. The Grand Army left for the campaign of Austerlitz