Napoleon and botany

During Napoleon’s time, botany and natural sciences underwent important developments. New plants and trees were discovered during scientific and military expeditions in Africa and Australia. These were brought to Europe, acclimatised in special nurseries, and finally planted in botanical and private gardens, often forming collections of botanical curiosities. Botanists described new plants, flowers and trees for scientific purposes, dedicating their discoveries to the Emperor. Painters included flowers and vegetal elements in the portraits of Napoleon and his family, using them with allegorical and symbolic significance.

The importance of greenery increased in public spaces, such as urban parks and cemeteries. Napoleon ordered the planting of long rows of plane and linden trees along the roads travelled by his troops in France, Italy and Croatia. He also contributed to agriculture development with the Napoleonic cadaster allowing a better understanding of rural landscapes division and type of production across Europe.

Through plants and botany, travel across Europe and beyond with this unexpected heritage linked to Napoleon and his time.