French Imperial Navy | |
---|---|
Marine Impériale | |
Active | 1804 –
1814 1815 |
Country | French Empire |
Allegiance | Napoleon I |
Type | Naval forces |
Navy Headquarters | Hôtel de la Marine, Paris |
Colors | Le Tricolore |
Engagements | |
Commanders | |
Supreme Commander | Napoleon I |
Notable commanders |
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This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. (November 2021) |
The French Imperial Navy (French: Marine Impériale) was the name given to the French Navy during the period of the Napoleonic Wars, and subsequently during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte. The first use of the title 'Imperial Navy' was in 1804, following the Coronation of Napoleon, a name derived from the old French Navy under The Republic. It notably saw action at the Battle of Trafalgar, and its defeat prevented Napoleon's planned invasion of the United Kingdom. After the First Bourbon Restoration in 1814, the navy was renamed to its old title of French Royal Navy, but after Napoleon's return in March 1815, briefly became the Imperial Navy once more. Following the Second Bourbon Restoration, the navy once again became royal, and the title wasn't used again.