First French Empire

The First French Empire^[1][2], also known as the Greater French Empire or Napoleonic Empire, was the empire of Napoleon I of France. It was the main power of most of continental Europe during the early 19th century.

French Empire [1][2] Empire Français
1804–1814, 1815
Flag Imperial Coat of arms
Anthem: Chant du Départ[3] "Song of the Departure"
The French First Empire in 1812 (green), with its client states in light green
Capital	Paris
Common languages	French
Religion	Roman Catholicism
Government	Monarchy
Emperor
• 1804–1814/1815	Napoleon I
• 1815	Napoleon II[4]
Legislature	Parliament
• Upper house	Senate
• Lower house	Corps législatif
Historical era	Napoleonic Wars
• Constitution adopted	18 May 1804
• Coronation of Napoleon I	2 December 1804
• Treaty of Tilsit	7 July 1807
• Invasion of Russia	24 June 1812
• Treaty of Fontainebleau	11 April 1814
• Hundred Days	20 March – 7 July 1815
Area
1812[5]	3,000,000 km2 (1,200,000 sq mi)
Population
• 1812	96,472,000
Currency	French Franc
ISO 3166 code	FR
Preceded by Succeeded by French First Republic Holy Roman Empire Kingdom of Holland Ligurian Republic Kingdom of Spain Kingdom of France United Kingdom of the Netherlands Neutral Moresnet Kingdom of Sardinia Austrian Empire Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Grand Duchy of Tuscany Kingdom of Spain
Today part of	Andorra  Austria  Belgium  Croatia  France  Germany  Italy  Lithuania  Luxembourg  Monaco  Poland  Netherlands  Slovenia  Spain   Switzerland   Vatican City  Montenegro

History

Napoleon became Emperor of the French on 18 May 1804. He was crowned Emperor on 2 December 1804. This ended the time of the French Consulate. He won early military victories in the War of the Third Coalition against Austria, Prussia, Russia, Portugal, and allied nations. The Treaty of Tilsit in July 1807 ended two years of bloodshed on the European continent.

The next wars, known as the Napoleonic Wars, grew France over much of Western Europe and into Poland. At its biggest in 1812, the French Empire had 130 départements, ruled over 90 million people, and had a large military in Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Duchy of Warsaw.^[6] The introduction of the Napoleonic Code through the continent increased legal equality, made jury systems, and legalized divorce.^[7] Napoleon placed relatives on the thrones of several European countries. He gave many noble titles, most of which went away after the empire fell.

Napoleon abdicated in 11 April 1814. The Empire was briefly brought back during the Hundred Days period in 1815 until Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. It was followed by the Bourbon Restoration monarchy of the House of Bourbon. Louis XVIII of France became the new ruler.