Les Invalides: Napoleon's last resting place

Napoleon Bonaparte's body was brought back from St Helena to Paris in 1840, to great public rejoicing.  His body lies beneath the dome of this early 18th century chapel in a monumentally tasteless sarcophagus. 

This repatriation was in large part an attempt by the French King Louis Philippe to curry favour with the many Bonapartists in the country.

Louis Philippe had taken power in 1830 as a compromise king and was despised by Republicans, Bonapartists and Legitimists (who wanted the return of the Bourbon monarchy).  He initially enjoyed substantial approval as a liberal king; however his turn towards ever more conservative policies - combined with an economic downturn - alienated the public and in 1848 resulted in revolution and his abdication.  

And within a few years the Bonapartist party had triumphed: Napoleon's nephew was enthroned as Emperor.