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Question : This coat of arms, rich in symbols, evokes prosperity (a passant ram), victory over evil (Saint George slaying the dragon), military strength (crossed swords), and the spirit of commerce (a ship). At the centre, the shield bears a golden cross representing the Christian faith, which is very present in Georgian heraldry.
To which noble family does it belong?

Coat of arms of the Dadiani family, from Zugdidi in Georgia at the foot of the Caucasus.

 

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Question : A fallen French prince, in exile, found love with an Eastern princess. Their union symbolises a unique link between the history of France and that of Georgia. Who is this emblematic couple?

It is the union of Prince Achille Murat (1847–1895), nephew of Napoleon I and younger brother of Joachim Murat (1767–1815), Marshal, King of Naples and chief of Napoleon I’s army, with Princess Salomé Dadiani. Their marriage, which took place in Paris in 1874, sealed an alliance between two worlds. This occurred against the backdrop of the fall of the Second Empire and the exile of the Bonapartes after the defeat at Sedan in 1870. After the death of Napoleon III in England in 1873, Achille Murat found refuge in Georgia, at the heart of the millennial nobility of the Dadiani, in Zugdidi.

In Mingrelia, the prince actively engaged in modernising viticultural practices. He notably contributed to the evolution of winemaking from Ojaleshi vines, a local grape variety traditionally cultivated on persimmon trees. With 25,000 hectares of vineyards, his initiative left a lasting mark on the region’s agriculture, combining innovation with the preservation of ancestral traditions​
 

 

 

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Question :According to legend, this beach was once the scene of wreckers’ activities, who lit torches on cows’ horns to lure ships onto the reefs and plunder them. Which beach is this?

The Pagan Country cove and the Pontusval lighthouse at Brignogan, located on the northern coast of Finistère in Brittany. Built in 1869, it was erected to secure navigation in an area known for its reefs and strong currents. This lighthouse, recognisable by its square white stone tower with a red band, stands 15 metres high and emits a light visible up to 22 nautical miles (approximately 40 km). It was inhabited until 1991 and is now automated.

 

 

 

 

 

 Question : Which castle hosted two illustrious French exiles: Voltaire, exiled from France in 1755, and Joseph Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon I?

Nestled 10 km south of Rolle, on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland, Château de Prangins is a silent witness to centuries of history. It is here that I imagined a fictional ball on 24 December 1918, shortly after the armistice of the First World War. Joseph Bonaparte purchased it in 1814 from Swiss General Charles-Jules de Prangins.

Between 1873 and 1920, the castle was transformed into a boarding school by the Protestant Moravian Brothers community, adding an educational dimension to its rich past. The choice of this venue for the fictional ball is no coincidence: at the time, the famous Château de Chillon, another gem of Lake Geneva, was undergoing archaeological excavations. Prangins, meanwhile, benefited from the proximity of the Rolle boarding school, where Princess Ingeborg of Sweden studied, adding a royal touch to this imaginary story.

I thought Château de Prangins, with its prestigious guests and educational role, lent itself well to a story blending reality and fiction.

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​​Question : Will you recognize this small Corsican beach with its wild beauty and hidden dangers?

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‘Petit Capo di Feno beach’ near Ajaccio in Corsica stands out for its wild and preserved charm. Surrounded by maquis and rocks, only a few discreet wooden huts hint at human presence in this idyllic setting, popular with surfers. But on the right side of the beach, the sea becomes treacherous. Just a few metres out, the seabed drops away, and a deceptive current, similar to the “barre baïne” currents, can carry the unwary out to sea. No warning signs alert visitors, and after early September, lifeguards leave their posts, leaving the beach unsupervised.

Now you know more about what happened to Luigi COLOMBANI.

 

 

 

 

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Question : What is this monument in Corsica where soil from the battlefields of the 1914–18 War was stored?
On the Sacred Earth beach near Ajaccio stands a monument designed by architect Louis-Jean Hulot and sculptor Marcelle Lecamp, inaugurated in 1932. This granite stele, topped by a winged woman symbolising Victory, contains an urn with earth from Verdun and the Somme, where many Corsican soldiers perished. Surrounded by a peaceful landscaped park, this site invites visitors to reflect on the fragility of peace and the importance of remembering the price of blood never shed by those who declare wars.

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Question : What lies within the Caucasian Phoenix—burned by the Turks in 1855, rebuilt under the guidance of German architect Rice, then ravaged again by fire in 1895, and once more in 2000?

What I call the Caucasian Phoenix is the Dadiani Palace, located in Zugdidi, Georgia. This 17th-century architectural jewel, the main residence of the Dadiani family, combines neo-Gothic, Venetian, and Georgian imperial elements. Built mainly of wood, it has 24 rooms over two floors. Despite devastating fires in 1855, 1895, and 2000, the palace has withstood the test of time.

The 1895 fire is shrouded in mystery: rumours accuse Prince Achille Dadiani of having started the fire to claim insurance. Humiliated, he committed suicide shortly after. The 2000 fire destroyed priceless treasures, including inheritances from Marshal Joachim Murat and Caroline Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon I.

Today, the palace houses a museum rich in artworks, archaeological artefacts, Christian icons, and ancient manuscripts. Surrounded by a magnificent garden, it embodies the resilience and grandeur of Georgian history.

As for the famous magnolia in the novel, it was planted in 1725 in the Dadiani Palace park, a space designed in the 19th century by Prince David Dadiani and his wife, Queen Ekaterina.

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Question : What do you know about this Spanish woman who became Empress of the French, whose life oscillated between grandeur and exile?

Empress Eugénie, born Eugénie de Montijo, Countess of Teba, grew up between Spain and France. Her mother, fleeing the Carlist Wars, took her to Biarritz in 1834, where she would regularly stay. Later, Napoleon III had a palace built for her in this seaside resort. Educated at the Sacré-Cœur convent in Paris, she received a refined education from figures such as Stendhal, who taught her Napoleonic history, and Prosper Mérimée, her French teacher and loyal friend.

On 29 January 1853, she married Napoleon III, becoming Empress of the French. Together, they marked history, notably at the inauguration of the Suez Canal in 1869. However, the fall of the Second Empire followed the defeat at Sedan on 2 September 1870. Forced into exile, Eugénie settled in England, first at Camden Place, then at Farnborough Hill, where she spent her final years.

She died at the age of 94 on 11 July 1920 at the Liria Palace in Madrid. Buried in the imperial crypt of the Saint Michael’s Abbey in Farnborough, she rests alongside her husband and their son, closing a life marked by glory, trials, and elegance.

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Question : He was successively a friend, ally, and then enemy of Napoleon I, and became king of a Nordic country after serving as a Marshal of the Empire. Who is he?

He was Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte (1763–1844), French Marshal of the Empire and Prince of Pontecorvo under Napoleon. He married Désirée Clary in 1798, sister of Julie Clary, wife of Joseph Bonaparte, making him Napoleon’s brother-in-law by marriage. Their son, Oscar Bernadotte, born in 1799, became King of Sweden and Norway as Oscar I.

Bernadotte distinguished himself as a general under Napoleon, participating in major battles such as Austerlitz and Wagram. In 1810, he was adopted by King Charles XIII of Sweden, becoming heir to the throne as Karl XIV Johan.

The break with Napoleon occurred in 1812 when Napoleon invaded Swedish Pomerania and demanded Sweden support the continental blockade against Great Britain. Bernadotte, already heir to the Swedish throne, refused, marking a definitive rupture.

Role in Napoleon’s downfall: Bernadotte allied with anti-Napoleonic coalitions and leveraged his knowledge of Napoleon’s strategies. He notably advised Tsar Alexander I on the scorched earth tactic, which weakened the Grande Armée during the Russian campaign. His expertise played a key role in Napoleon’s defeat and the post-1815 reorganisation of Europe.

 

 

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Question :Where are the three bronze death masks of Napoleon I, made from the original mould by Dr Francesco Antommarchi, located?

 

1. The photo corresponds to the mask held at the Dadiani Palace Museum, Zugdidi (Georgia).

2. Another death mask of Napoleon is exhibited at the Musée de l’Armée at Les Invalides, Paris.

3. The third mask is at the museum of Château de Rueil-Malmaison, former residence of Napoleon and Josephine.

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Question : Following in the footsteps of Anoushka and Rémy, you walk snowshoeing or glide on cross-country skis over powder snow. What is the name of the farmstead where you would like to warm up with mulled wine or cep mushroom fondue?

 

Métairie du Maillard, Eplatures, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
A perfect blend of winter adventure and gourmet conviviality.

Website: https://buvette-lemaillard.ch/ 

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Question : What does the Latin motto "Hoc noli tangere", engraved on Achille Murat’s watch mean, and what symbolic message does it carry?

 

Achille Murat’s watch (1847–1895), exhibited in the Dadiani Palace Museum in Zugdidi in the section dedicated to Napoleon I, is a precious heirloom passed from the Bonapartes to the Murats. The Latin motto engraved on the back of the watch, "Hoc noli tangere", meaning "Do not touch this", adds a dimension of exclusivity and protection to the object, suggesting that the family coat of arms is not only a symbol of pride but also a reminder of the importance of preserving family traditions and values. This motto sparked my curiosity about this family heritage, intertwining history and legend, which inspired me to write the novel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Question : Father of 14 children (8 survived), he is best known as the father of Jérôme, King of Westphalia, and Napoleon Bonaparte. Who was he?

Charles Marie Bonaparte (1746-1785). A distinguished Corsican lawyer and notable, Charles Marie Bonaparte was the father of Napoleon Bonaparte and Jérôme Bonaparte, King of Westphalia. He lived in the family residence in Ajaccio, Corsica, now preserved as the Bonaparte Museum.

This museum, located at Rue St-Charles, 20000 Ajaccio, offers a journey back to the 18th century. You will discover:

• Napoleon’s birthplace, a jewel of Corsican architecture with stone walls and a Mediterranean garden.

• A unique collection of personal objects belonging to the Bonaparte family.

• A detailed family tree tracing the fascinating history of this dynasty.

• Authentic elements such as the olive oil mill and agricultural tools, witnesses of daily life at the time.

The atmosphere, both historical and intimate, plunges you into the Corsican roots of the Bonapartes, making the visit captivating and immersive.

 

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Question :To which Psalm of the Bible does the Templars’ motto Non nobis Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam refer?

The Templars’ motto, "Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory", is taken from Psalm 115 of the Bible. This phrase embodies the ideal of humility and devotion of the Order of the Templars, a military and religious order founded in the 12th century.

In the novel, Jonas bears the Templar’s signet ring, whose Latin inscription is engraved around a red cross intertwined with two swords.

 

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Question : In the 19th century, an ingenious but tragic device allowed desperate mothers to anonymously abandon their newborns in Paris. What do you know about this ʿTour de l’Abandonʾ and the hospice that housed it?

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The ʿTour de l’Abandonʾ, also called the ʿbaby hatchʾ, was an anonymous reception device located at the entrance of the Hospice des Enfants-Assistés, at 72 Avenue Denfert-Rochereau (Paris 14th arrondissement). This alcove of about two metres, arranged between the Oratory chapel and the old shelter, allowed 19th-century mothers to discreetly leave their children, often in desperate situations.

On 24 December 1886, Ernest Peyron, director of Public Assistance in Paris, expressed concern about a decision by the Seine General Council. This new resolution obliged the institution to accept all abandoned children without requiring identification of the parents or a birth certificate, risking an increase in abandonment cases.

The towers were abolished by the law of 27 June 1904, replaced by an admission system requiring mothers to present themselves directly to social services. By 1919, this device was already a thing of the past, becoming a fictional element in some literary works.

In 1942, the ʿHospice des Enfants-Assistésʾ was transformed into the Saint Vincent de Paul Hospital, managed by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Question : In the novel, Anoushka finds herself at the ‘end of the world of Marseille’, a picturesque cove where fishermen take shelter in case of a ʿcoup de tabacʾ. But do you know the origin of this expression and the name of this emblematic port?

 

ʿLes Goudesʾ is the small fishing port nestled at the foot of the Calanques National Park. Thanks to its sheltered position, this port long served as a refuge for fishermen during storms, called ‘coups de tabac’. This expression comes from the verb tabasser (To beat up), evoking the waves that beat the boats.

Not far from there is the Fort de l’Escalette, where the climax with the Heirs of the Templar Cross takes place.

 

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Question : To which modest family from Béarn does this royal coat of arms belong? The family of a man who became Marshal of the Empire under Napoleon I before becoming King of Sweden and Norway in 1818, whose dynasty still reigns in Sweden today!

Blason de Jean-Baptiste (ou Evangéliste) Bernadotte (1763-1844), un Béarnais devenu maréchal d'Empire sous Napoléon 1er, avant de devenir Karl XIV Johan, roi de Suède et de Norvège en 1818. Saviez-vous que du sang Béarnais coule dans les veines Suédoises ?

 

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Question : Explicit map of Europe in 1870, the era to which the novel refers. In a century and a half, what fascinates you most about this map?

 

• To appreciate the unstable and unnatural character of borders, take the time to watch this YouTube video on the history of Europe [2600 BC – 2020 AD].

• YouTube sur l'histoire de l'Europe [2600 av. J.-C. - 2020 apr. J.-C.]

 

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Question : Could you find the address of the Roux tileworks company in Marseille that existed in 1890?

 

• I managed to read: ‘Large roofing scale – Roux Frères – AFN UD ETIENNE [UD: Union Départementale] – 1890 MARSEILLE.’ Prince Achille Murat, who lived at the palace in Zugdidi, had ordered these tiles, which I found in a small restaurant in Makhinjauri, about ten kilometers from the port of Batumi, Georgia. The restaurant owner didn’t clearly explain how his great-grandfather might have acquired them…

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Question : Although the Turks set fire to her palace in 1855 during the Crimean War, this woman resisted the Ottomans, refusing to submit and leading a successful counter-attack. Who was she?

This is Ekaterina Dadiani, Queen of Mingrelia. After her kingdom was invaded, she reorganized her army and counterattacked the Turkish general Omar Pasha, inflicting significant losses on the Ottomans. This victory demonstrated her courage and leadership, making her an emblematic figure of Georgian resistance.

Wife of David Dadiani, hereditary prince of Mingrelia, she became regent in 1853 after his death, ruling on behalf of their son Niko with the support of Tsar Nicholas I. Despite the burning of her palace in 1855, she resumed her role as regent following the Treaty of Paris (1856), and attended the coronation of Alexander II.

In 1857, a peasant uprising led her to seek help from Russia, resulting in the annexation of Mingrelia by the Russian Empire. Exiled, she first settled in Saint Petersburg for the education of her children, then moved to Paris in 1867, where she unsuccessfully sought support from Napoleon III to restore her kingdom’s independence. Close to Empress Eugénie, she lived surrounded by a court of 80 people.

A tragic figure, Ekaterina, the last queen of Mingrelia, lost her sovereignty by calling on the Russian army. Her descendants continue to uphold her legacy, marked by her fight for independence and her life in exile.

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Question : Where is the most expensive private school in the world, with boarding fees approaching €130,000 per year?

 

Located in Rolle, on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland, Institut Le Rosey, founded in 1880 by Paul-Émile Carnal, is a unique elite boarding school. Its 400 pupils, from 60 nationalities, follow bilingual (French/English) education aiming for the International Baccalaureate.

Spread over a 28-hectare park, the campus includes tennis courts, swimming pools, stables, and a farm around its 14th-century castle. The Paul and Henri Carnal auditorium, modern and with state-of-the-art acoustics, hosts renowned musicians. Le Rosey also owns a yacht in the Mediterranean and relocates to Gstaad in the Alps during winter.

Reserved for an international elite, the school offers 30 places to children of teachers or deserving pupils from modest backgrounds. In my fictional novel, Princess Ingeborg of Sweden resided there in 1918.