Wimereux - The Imperial Circuit - Following Napoleon

Napoleon had been immensely present in this region.
From 1803 - 1805 he prepared the invasion of England from here.
His fleet was to be divided among several (smaller) ports including that of Wimereux, namely Port St. Jean, which was developed between 1803 - 1804.
In 1804, the very first medals of La Légion d'honneur were awarded here (along the walking path) in the presence of 100,000 people (80,000 soldiers) in a natural amphitheater with the sea as a backdrop. As a "thank you from the soldiers," a commemorative column was erected, financed by part of their pay. At the top stands Napoleon, in his uniform of "petit corporal," turned with his back to his enemy - England - and facing his beloved Paris. The panorama from the top of the column (54 m high) is grandiose, and the small museum at its base is very nice to visit.
The invasion of England was ultimately called off, but the gathered troops of more than 60,000 soldiers (La Grande Armée) were sent east (including Austerlitz). The rest is history.
By the way, in the coat of arms of Wimereux, the three bees are still present. The bees - together with the eagle - are the symbols of Napoleon (replacing the former royal Fleur de Lys).
Although, in 1840 his nephew Napoleon III tried to land from England - where he had fled - in the north of Wimereux, namely La pointe aux Oies.
Since this landing failed, the expression comes from there: "L'aigle est devenu oie".  

This walk goes via the Belle Epoque villas in Wimereux, climbing along the rocky coast to the memorial stone of Napoleon (La Legion d'honneur) to have a sublime panoramic view of the sea, the English chalk cliffs, Wimereux, and the rolling Le Boulonnais from the memorial column of La Grande Armée.

Furthermore, we will follow the banks of the babbling river Le Denacre to return to our starting point along the banks of Le Wimereux in Wimille.