In a striking display of power and authority, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of the French at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The ceremony took place in front of a large audience, including high-ranking officials, members of the clergy, and foreign ambassadors, on December 2, 1804. Originally planned to be a collaborative ceremony with Pope Pius VII, the event was altered when Napoleon decided to take the crown from the Pope himself, an act that signified his claim to sovereignty and rejection of external ecclesiastical authority in governmental matters. This self-coronation was not merely a personal achievement but a broader declaration of the establishment of a new regime in France after the turmoil of the Revolution.

The opulent setting of Notre Dame served as an ideal backdrop for this monumental event, with banners, pomp, and circumstance amplifying the grandeur of the occasion. The ceremony featured not only the coronation but also the anointment with holy oil, as well as the recognition of Empress Joséphine, who was crowned alongside Napoleon. Their elevation to Emperor and Empress marked the transition from the revolutionary ideals of liberty and equality towards a more autocratic rule. This shift illustrated the complexities of revolution—while it aimed to dismantle monarchy, it inadvertently led to the rise of a new form of imperial rule.

Napoleon’s self-coronation also had implications far beyond France. It symbolized his ambitions of re-establishing a French Empire and positioned him as a prominent figure in European politics. This event catalyzed a series of conflicts across Europe as nations reacted to Napoleon's assertiveness. The establishment of the French Empire would lead to significant military campaigns and ultimately, to the reshaping of European borders and the political landscape of the continent during the 19th century.