Napoleon, Emperor of the French, was detained on HMS Bellerophon in Plymouth Sound from 26 July to 4 August 1815. Large crowds came to catch a glimpse of him.
These two blocks of granite are from Dartmoor Prison, where thousands of French prisoners were held captive during the Napoleanic wars. Embedded, is a volcanic stone from Longwood House on St Helena where Napoleon died on 5 May 1821. The stones stand here to celebrate 200 years of peace between the United Kingdom and France.
May our hearts be open to friendship and our arms reach across the sea to unite our two nations.
( upper plaque )
This project was conceived by
Michel Dancoisne-Martineau and Alain Sibiril,
Honorary Consuls of France in St Helena and Plymouth
With the support of
Plymouth City Council, The Franco-British Community
HMP Dartmoor, The French Navy, The Royal Navy
Brittany Ferries, St Helena Tourism
With special thanks to Trevor James and John Dalton
Unveiled by
The Lord Mayor of the City of Plymouth, Councillor Dr John Mahony
Anna Roden and Paul Rouve
On 16 October 2015
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