Abdication of Napoleon — 6 avril 1814

After the campaign of France and the entry of the coalition forces into Paris, Napoleon abdicated at Fontainebleau Castle. He received sovereignty over the island of Elba and retained the title of Emperor.

Paris has fallen

On 31 March 1814 Marmont and Mortier signed the capitulation of the capital; Alexander I entered Paris and lodged with Talleyrand. On 3 April the Senate voted the deposition. Napoleon, arriving too late at Fontainebleau, still gathered sixty thousand men and wanted to march on Paris.

The marshals' revolt

On 4 April, Ney, Lefebvre, Moncey and Oudinot walked into his study and refused: "The army will not march." He then agreed to abdicate in favour of his son under the regency of Marie Louise, and sent Caulaincourt, Ney and Macdonald to negotiate. Marmont's defection, his corps going over to the Allies at Essonnes during the night, removed the last means of pressure.

Unconditional abdication

On 6 April the Emperor signed the act: "The Allied Powers having proclaimed that Emperor Napoleon was the sole obstacle to the re-establishment of peace in Europe, Emperor Napoleon, faithful to his oath, declares that he renounces, for himself and his heirs, the thrones of France and Italy." The same day the Senate recalled Louis XVIII.

The Treaty of Fontainebleau of 11 April left him the title of emperor and the island of Elba. On the night of 12-13 April he swallowed a poison brought back from Russia; too old, it failed to kill him. On 20 April he took leave of the Old Guard in the Cour du Cheval-Blanc.