As a history buff who loves visiting France, I have previously objected to the commercialization of historical sites of a former French minister of Versailles. However, nothing quite prepared me for the new idea of former French minister Yves Jégo, who is planning the creation of “Napoleonland.” He is raising £180 million for the amusement park on the site of Napoleon’s final victory at the Battle of Montereau in 1814 just south of Paris.
We have faced our own challenges as Disney tried to convert our history into amusement parks over the objections of academics and historians. We have also faced repeated efforts by companies like WalMart and other companies to destroy sacred battlefield areas. However, this plan by Jégo would make Robespierre blush.
Jégo has suggested reenacting the Battle of Waterloo and creating a water show featuring the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar. “Other curious potential attractions include a ski run through a battlefield “surrounded by the frozen bodies of soldiers and horses” and a recreation of Louis XVI being guillotined during the revolution.” Jégo insists that “It’s going to be fun for the family.”
Since Jégo is hellbent to commercialize French history, he might want to add Gen. Blücher’s Wild Ride featuring a ride that decapitates infantry soldiers or It’s A Small World featuring burned out fields and buildings stretching from Toulon to Moscow.
Before the French allow this P.T. Barnum to trivialize their history, they should consider the huge cost to their cultural legacy.
Of course, Jégo can quote Napoleon for support in saying “History is a set of lies agreed upon” and “History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon,” few people would agree on this particular lie in the making. France has faced many threats to its existence and culture. Sometimes, however, the greatest threats come from within.
Source: Telegraph
I advise again, one really must reconsider getting one’s news about France from the Europe/French-bashing Telegraph….
could be worse…. Don’t forget that the State of Kentucky is offering tax breaks for the construction of the for-profit (fundamentalist Christian) Noah’s Ark Experience. At least Napoleonland would be based on actual history…
Hopefully, Monsieur Yego’s Napoleonland will meet its Waterloo soon in the way of investors and outraged Parisians.
And the French thought the Americans have a monopoly on the cheap and garish!
From Napoleon’s mouth to Jego’s ears; thanks for the excellent quote Mespo, that says it all.
When small men attempt great enterprises, they always end by reducing them to the level of their mediocrity.
~Napoleon Bonaparte’
What the European nations have going for them is the sheer weight of years they’ve existed. That one can see a thousand year old castle or monastery, is to be filled with an awe of the specter of human history. They cheapen it with amusement parks to the peril of their own sense of self. I would like to see the
Revolutionary Guillotine in action every fifteen minutes because of the cleverness of the illusion of seeing bloody heads falling into baskets. “La gloire
Francais?”
“Other curious potential attractions include a ski run through a battlefield “surrounded by the frozen bodies of soldiers and horses” and a recreation of Louis XVI being guillotined during the revolution.” Jégo insists that “It’s going to be fun for the family.” -from the posting
lol…. I can hardly wait to ski “Napoleonland” while sporting a bicorne… and then sip Courvoisier cognac while watching the guillotine fall.
Yep, family fun to be sure…
Excursions to Elba, I’m certain, AY…
Maybe they can bring it to the Isle of Elba….St Helena or maybe even… reacquire Louisiana….