The man accumulated objects belonging to Napoleon Bonaparte for 40 years and will auction off his collection. French collector Pierre-Jean Chalençon has spent more than four decades dedicated to gathering objects linked to Napoleon Bonaparte. What began as a teenage passion ended up becoming one of the world’s most important private collections on this historical figure.
Among the most notable treasures are the ring Napoleon wore at his coronation (which Chalençon proudly wears on his little finger), his marriage certificate to Josephine, his famous bicorn hat and the first official portrait of the emperor.
However, after years of searching, acquisitions and public exhibition, the collector decided to auction off part of his collection in Paris. The reason, he explained, is a combination of legacy, personal wear and tear, and financial needs.
Who is Pierre-Jean Chalençon
Pierre Jean Chalençon was born on 23 June 1970 in Rueil Malmaison, France, and became a well-known figure both for his role as a collector and for his appearances in the media. His obsession with Napoleon Bonaparte began in his teens and led him to build one of the world’s most important private collections dedicated to the French emperor.
Among the items he collected are manuscripts, letters, furniture, jewellery and even locks of Napoleon’s own hair.
Throughout his career, he founded and ran Chalençon Empire, a firm specialising in the purchase, sale and appraisal of items from the Napoleonic period. But his public recognition was also boosted by his participation in television, particularly on the programme ‘Affaire Conclue’, where he stood out for his eccentric style, flamboyant shirts and unfiltered opinions.
However, he was not without controversy. He was criticised for his closeness to figures linked to the far right and was involved in several media scandals, including the organisation of clandestine dinners during the pandemic. These controversies removed him from the small screen and also affected his reputation in the world of art and collecting.
In recent years, financial difficulties forced him to auction off part of his valuable collection. Far from retiring, Chalençon continues to make headlines: he remains as fascinating a figure as he is contradictory, moving between cultural legacy and media exposure.
His private Napoleon collection
His collection housed more than 1,000 pieces and encompassed a wide range of historical and personal objects belonging to Napoleon. In June 2025, Chalençon auctioned off a significant portion of his collection at Sotheby’s Paris. It fetched a total of 8.7 million euros (approximately 9.6 million dollars), exceeding initial estimates of 6 million euros for the sale of part of his collection.
Among the most notable pieces are:
- Napoleon’s bicorn hat: This hat, an iconic symbol of his reign, was estimated at between 500,000 and 800,000 euros and sold for close to the maximum estimate.
- Gold and diamond signet ring: Given by Napoleon to Hans de Bruyère in 1811, this ring, designed by the official jeweller Marc-Etienne Nitot, was valued at between £200,000 and £300,000.
- Portrait of Napoleon: A painting depicting him in his coronation robes fetched £760,000, far exceeding its initial estimate.
- Imperial throne armchair: This gilded wooden piece of furniture, associated with the Napoleonic court, was sold for £340,000.
- Napoleon’s personal clothing: A set including stockings, a long shirt, underpants and a white silk tie, all worn by the emperor, sold for £115,000.
Despite the sale, Chalençon expressed his hope that the items will continue to inspire future generations and that his collection will live on in the collective memory.
