Sound and Light: Bonaparte, the Other Napoleon

Napoleon's youth in Auxonne

The "Bonaparte, l'autre Napoléon" show is a sound and light production that traces the early life of Napoleon Bonaparte in Auxonne, a small garrison town in the Côte-d'Or where the future emperor served as a young artillery officer from 1788 to 1791. It was here in Auxonne, at the Royal Artillery School, that young Bonaparte honed his military expertise and shaped much of his character. The show offers a glimpse of a lesser-known Napoleon, far from his imperial image, during his formative years.

A show in an exceptional historic setting

Performances take place in the courtyard of the Château d'Auxonne, which dates back to the Louis XI castle of the late 15th century. This heritage site, located in the heart of the town where young Bonaparte lived, serves as a natural backdrop for the nocturnal show. Light projections, soundscapes, and special effects transform the castle courtyard into an open-air theater.

The Confrérie Facétieuse, a volunteer troupe

The show is produced by the Confrérie Facétieuse, an association of volunteers passionate about history and live performance. The troupe creates popular theater: historical shows performed by amateurs from the local community. Members are involved in writing, directing, acting, and technical production.

A tradition tied to August 15th

The show was traditionally scheduled around August 15th, which marks the birthday of Napoleon Bonaparte, born on August 15, 1769. Performances were held in the evening at 10:00 PM over several consecutive days. The 2024 edition drew over 300 spectators per night.

Current status of the show

No dates have been announced for a future edition. The last documented edition took place from August 11 to 15, 2024. We will update this page as soon as new dates are published.