THE LETTER OF THE PRESIDENT

 

26th of January 2005

 

Dear INS Fellows,

I am pleased to announce that we will hold the Fourth International Napoleonic Congress in Dinard, France, 9–16 July, 2005. Dinard is one of the most beautiful cities in France and a destination that will be enjoyed by scholars and their families alike.

Mayor Marius Mallet and his city are producing an outstanding celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Austerlitz, and the International Napoleonic Society is proud to be a part of the festivities. Enclosed you will find a list of planned activities, all of which will be available for Congress participants. These include exhibitions, parades, fireworks, music and other events.

The celebration in Dinard, along with our Congress, will be one of the most important celebrations of the bicentennial of Austerlitz in all of Europe. I strongly encourage you to attend and, if at all possible, present a paper. The INS expects publish the papers of the Congress.

As in the past, there will be no registration fee for this Congress. The city of Dinard is hosting a Gala Dinner and the INS is hosting an Imperial Lunch. Other meals will be on your own to give you an opportunity to explore the culinary delights of this seaside resort. We are recommending five hotels of varying expense, a list of which is enclosed. Please make your arrangements directly with the hotels and then inform David Markham where you are staying. As this is a resort community, we recommend you make your hotel arrangements quickly.

For further information, to obtain registration materials or to submit paper proposals, please contact:

J. David Markham, Executive Vice-President
1841 52nd Way SE
Olympia, WA 98501-8000
USA
Email: imperialglory@comcast.net
Phone: 360 786 1805
Fax: 360 236 1821

Even if you are unable to attend the Dinard Congress, please send your email address to David so that he can easily keep you informed on future Congresses and other activities.

Best regards,
Ben Weider, President

The city of Dinard has declared 2005 L’Année Impériale and will have an entire summer of events celebrating Napoleon’s greatest victory.

Some of these include:

 

• The International Napoleonic Society will hold its Fourth International Napoleonic Congress from 9–16 July, 2005. You are especially invited to present papers discussing various aspects of Napoleonic history. Previous Congresses in Italy , Israel and the Republic of Georgia were memorable, and this may be the best yet! Participants will have admission to all events, including a gala closing dinner complete with champagne “cuvee d’Austerlitz.” Optional side-trips, including Mount St. Michel, are being planned.

 

• The Palais des Arts et du Festival will have an outstanding exhibition from June 18 to September 26, “The Glory of the Empire: Bicentennial of Austerlitz .” This will feature a 100 meter square diorama of the Battle of Austerlitz unlike any other in the world; it will even have its own observation gallery, lighting and audiovisual commentary. The exhibition will also include stands from various Napoleonic groups, souvenirs, antiques, militaria, films and other items of great interest to Consortium members. In addition to items for sale, many important collections of Napoleonic artifacts will be exhibited.

 

• On July 10 there will be a three-kilometer long parade, La Grande Armée, featuring seven musical groups, seven floats and seven hundred participants with costumes. This may well be the best First Empire parade in two hundred years! Descendents of the Marshals have been invited to participate.

 

• A spectacular fireworks sound and light show, C’était Austerlitz, complete with cavalry charge, will take place the evening of July 15 th. One hour and fifteen minutes long, this will surely be one of the most memorable such displays we will ever see, and as a bonus it will take place on the beautiful Ecluse Beach . INS participants will have special seating.

 

• Throughout the summer there will be musical and theatrical events, movies, exhibitions and other Napoleonic-related activities.

 

• Dinard is a destination resort in its own right, with a rich history and magnificent beaches. In the “Imperial Year” of 2005, there is nowhere better to be than Dinard! For more information, please contact J. David Markham, 1841 52 nd Way SE, Olympia, WA 98501-8000 (imperialglory@comcast.net).

Host Hotel: Grand Hôtel Barrière****

46 Avenue George V-B P 70143
Bp 53 Cedex
Dinard 35801
France
Phone: 02-99-88-26-26
Fax: 02-99-88-26-27
Web: http://www.Lucienbarriere.com/localized/en/
hote/dina/index.asp
87 Rooms 3 suites
€170-420

Dinard's largest hotel, a member of the Lucien Barriêre chain, dates from 1859. It is a two minute walk from the town center and has an excellent view of the harbor. Its two wings are separated by a heated outdoor pool. Most rooms have balconies and are equipped with traditional furnishings and combination tubs and showers. There is a bar and a restaurant, the George V.

Facilities: Restaurant; bar; indoor pool; fitness center; sauna; limited room service; babysitting; laundry

Villa Reine Hortense ***

19 rue de la Malouine,
35800 Dinard,
Ille-et-Vilaine
Phone:(0) 2 99 46 54 31
Fax:(0) 2 99 88 15 88
Email: reine.hortense@wanadoo.fr
WEB: http://www.villa-reine-hortense.com/

A mysterious Russian prince, poet and aesthete, Nikolas de Vlassov, built this house at the turn of the 20th century as a tribute to Queen Hortense de Beauharnais, daughter of Empress Joséphine.

7 double rooms and 1 apartment for 4.
Rooms €130-205. Apartment €280-€350.
Breakfast €13.
Restaurants 10 minute walk across the beach in Dinard centre.

Hotel Le Crystal ***

15 rue de la Malouine
35800 Dinard
Phone: 02.99.46.66.71
Fax: 02.99.88.17.73
E-mail: contact@crystal-hotel.com
WEB:
http://en.federal-hotel.com/hotel_hotel-le-crystaldinard_5172.htm

Direct access to the beach, with overlooking balconies.
24 rooms and 2 Suites
Single: €76.00-€110.00
Double: €76.00-€128.00
Triple: €110.00-€144.00
Quadruple: €260

Inter Hotel Minotel Balmoral **

26 rue Maréchal Leclerc
35800 Dinard
Phone: 02.99.46.16.97
Fax: 02.99.88.20.48
Email: info@hotels-balmoral.com
WEB:
http://en.federal-hotel.com/hotel_inter-hotel-minotel-balmoral-dinard_5167.htm

Situated in the center of the city near public parking.
31 bedrooms
Single: €42-52
Double: €45-69
Triple: €71-100
Double with breakfast: €59-84