On 20 March 1815, Napoléon Bonaparte rode into Paris to rapturous cheers, reclaiming power after his daring escape from exile on Elba.
His dramatic return, achieved without bloodshed, sent shockwaves through Europe as the deposed emperor swiftly reassembled his army and government, ushering in what became known as the Hundred Days.
The great powers, determined to crush his resurgence, mobilized their forces, culminating in the fateful Battle of Waterloo.
Though his reign was short-lived, Napoléon’s return remains one of history’s most audacious political comebacks, a testament to his enduring influence and the loyalty he commanded.
