At the beginning of the nineteenth century, with the arrival of Elisa Bonaparte Kisses, Napoleon's sister, Lucca became part of the broader political and cultural landscape of the French Empire. Named Princess of Lucca and Piombino in 1805, Élisa ushered in a period of reform that would profoundly redefine the city's urban, social, and cultural identity.
The bond between Lucca and France resulted in a modernization program that affected not only architecture and urban planning, but also lifestyles, education, daily habits, and aesthetic taste. The princess, influenced by the Parisian model, transformed Lucca into a laboratory of renewal inspired by Enlightenment values and the decorum of imperial etiquette.
From an urban perspective, Elisa redesigns the city according to an idea of rationality and monumentality: she renovates public buildings, widens streets, introduces new functions in historic spaces. Ducal PalaceThe seat of power for centuries, the palace was completely redesigned to become a true princely court, equipped with modern facilities, state rooms, fully equipped kitchens, and servants' quarters. The project also extended to the outdoor spaces, with the creation—only partially realized—of an "imperial path" from Porta Elisa, open towards Florence, up to the large square in front of the palace.
But it was on the social and cultural level that the French influence was most vividly felt. Élisa introduced new customs, educational models, and forms of entertainment to city life. Parisian fashion, a taste for elegant receptions, refined cuisine, and an attention to music and theater spread. Local elites became involved in court life, and cultural salons and new social circles emerged. At the same time, the princess promoted education and scientific research, founding institutes and encouraging intellectual openness.
Even the City Walls They are beginning to be reimagined as places of socialization and leisure: Elisa imagines their transformation from military structures into public promenades, with tree-lined avenues, carriage roundabouts, and trendy cafés—a project that prefigures the future face of the modern city.
THEBotanical Garden, founded in 1814, is one of the princess's last initiatives before her departure: a tangible sign of her attention to science and the dialogue between man and nature, which will remain an integral part of Lucca's cultural vocation.
The Napoleonic period thus represented a crucial moment for Lucca, not only politically, but also for the birth of a new urban culture: more open, European, and dynamic. This legacy is still visible today in the city's form and spirit.
Lucca still retains the charm of its imperial past intact. Follow the Napoleonic itineraries among palaces, gardens, and urban views, letting yourself be guided by the scents that tell of the style and refined taste of Elisa's court.
The Napoleonic legacy today
Lucca still retains the visible and profound signs of the Napoleonic period, a historical legacy that is not limited to its architectural heritage but continues to live on through memory, cultural promotion, and European dialogue.
To underline and strengthen this bond, the city is part of the European Federation of Napoleonic Cities, an international network that unites over 50 localities in 10 European countries, united by a past marked by the figure of Napoleon Bonaparte and the political, urban planning, and social transformation that his time brought about.
This membership allows Lucca to actively participate in cultural projects, thematic itineraries, historical events, and shared educational initiatives, contributing to a collective narrative of the Napoleonic era at the European level. Specifically, through the project "Destination Napoleon", recognized as Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, a network of places, cities, and regions is promoted that offer visitors travel experiences tied to European history, memory, and identity. This heritage translates into cultural itineraries, urban development projects, and outreach activities that bring the sites of the past to life and bring them to life: from the Doge's Palace to the Walls, from the Botanical Garden to the grand spaces of Napoleon's square, to the many details that tell the story of a modern city already in the early 19th century.
