Napoleon’s exile. In 1815, the British government selected St Helena as the place of detention for Napoleon Bonaparte. He was taken to the island in October 1815. Napoleon stayed at the Briars pavilion on the grounds of the Balacombe family’s home until his permanent residence at Longwood House was completed in December 1815. Napoleon died there on 5 May 1821. Longwood House where the French Emperor spent his last six years is now a museum restored to replicate the house as it was on the day he died. With France becoming a strong ally, the house was sold by Queen Victoria to the French Government, and the tricolor flies at it. |