# Napoleon crowned emperor (1804)

URL: https://history-france.com/timeline/1804-napoleon-crowned-emperor
Location: Paris
Categories: ruler-change

Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the French at Notre-Dame in the presence of Pope Pius VII. Within the broader Consulate & Napoleonic Empire period, Napoleon consolidated many revolutionary reforms while concentrating power, building an empire and waging continental war. French institutions and armies reshaped Europe before military defeat restored the Bourbons. At this point in the timeline, the relevant governing authority is Napoleon I (Emperor of the French). Napoleon crowned emperor mattered because succession and legitimacy shaped alliances, institutions and the direction of state policy. The event is positioned here so visitors can read it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion, culture and France’s wider international setting.

## Why it matters
Napoleon crowned emperor mattered because succession and legitimacy shaped alliances, institutions and the direction of state policy.

Ruler at the time: [Napoleon I](https://history-france.com/rulers/napoleon-i-1804)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Napoleon crowned emperor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Napoleon+crowned+emperor&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Napoleon crowned emperor](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Napoleon+crowned+emperor)
- [Vie-publique — French institutions and history](https://www.vie-publique.fr/)