Valley of the Tomb
The Valley of the Tomb sits on Saint Helena, a British Overseas Territory in the south Atlantic Ocean. Napoleon died there on the 5th of May 1821 after years of exile. Before his death, locals called this place Sane Valley. He walked through it often and named it the Valley of the Geraniums instead. The site now holds his grave within that same valley.
Napoleon did not expect to be buried on Saint Helena during his final days. He left specific instructions for his burial location if he were to die there. His request was to have him buried in the shade of the willow trees where he used to rest. He also wanted to be near the fountain where people fetched water daily for him. A full British garrison of 3,000 men lined the route of his funeral cortège. They carried their arms reversed as a sign of respect for the fallen general.
French general Tristan de Montholon requested that the tomb slab bear only the name NAPOLEON with birth and death dates. Governor Sir Hudson Lowe refused this simple inscription. Lowe insisted that Bonaparte must be added to distinguish him from other family members. An impasse developed between the two men over the wording. As a result of their disagreement, the tomb slab remained blank without any engraved text.
The French government under Louis Philippe I sought to bring Napoleon's remains back to France. On the 15th of October 1840, workers exhumed his body from the valley floor. The event became known as the Retour des cendres or Return of the Ashes. Later that year, they reburied him at the Invalides in Paris. This transfer marked the end of his physical presence on Saint Helena after nearly twenty years of exile.
In 1854, the French government under Napoleon III negotiated to purchase both the Valley of the Tomb and Longwood House. The transaction completed in 1858 when ownership officially transferred to France. Today the site remains French property administered by a French representative. It operates under the authority of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs rather than British control. This arrangement preserves the location as a national monument outside normal colonial administration.
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Common questions
Where is the Valley of the Tomb located?
The Valley of the Tomb sits on Saint Helena, a British Overseas Territory in the south Atlantic Ocean. Napoleon died there on the 5th of May 1821 after years of exile.
What did Napoleon name the valley before he died?
Napoleon named the place the Valley of the Geraniums instead of the local name Sane Valley. He walked through it often and chose this new name for himself.
Why was Napoleon's tomb slab left blank during his burial on Saint Helena?
An impasse developed between French general Tristan de Montholon and Governor Sir Hudson Lowe over the wording on the tomb slab. As a result of their disagreement, the tomb slab remained blank without any engraved text.
When were Napoleon's remains exhumed from the Valley of the Tomb?
On the 15th of October 1840, workers exhumed his body from the valley floor. The event became known as the Retour des cendres or Return of the Ashes.
Who currently owns the Valley of the Tomb site today?
Ownership officially transferred to France when the transaction completed in 1858. Today the site remains French property administered by a French representative under the authority of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.