
audiobook
by baron de Claude-François Méneval
Produced by Mireille Harmelin, Eric Vautier and the Online
PAR - M. LE BARON MENEVAL - AUTEUR DES SOUVENIRS SUR NAPOLÉON ET MARIE-LOUISE.
PARIS: AMYOT, RUE DE LA PAIX
In the heat of July 1814, the recently deposed Empress Marie‑Louise joins a modest party for a trek among the towering glaciers of Savoy. The narrative, drawn from the author's firsthand observations, captures the stark contrast between the icy landscape and the lingering warmth of a woman accustomed to imperial ceremony. As she pauses beside the snow‑capped peaks, her thoughts turn to the recent collapse of the Empire and the uncertain future that lies ahead.
The account reads like a diary entry, blending vivid descriptions of the Alpine scenery with candid reflections on loss, duty, and personal longing. Through her measured words the listener hears a portrait of a young mother caught between political machinations and private grief. This intimate glimpse offers a rare human perspective on a turbulent moment in European history, inviting listeners to walk beside her on that unforgettable summer journey.
Language
fr
Duration
~2 hours (116K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2006-09-10
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1778–1850
Best known as Napoleon’s private secretary, he left behind a close-up view of the First Empire from inside the imperial court. His memoirs are valued for their calm, observant account of politics, daily work, and life around Napoleon.
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