The General Assembly of the European Federation of Napoleonic Cities in Herceg Novi, a true European meeting in the heart of the Balkans, was held from 31 May to 2 June 2026 in Montenegro. For three days, Destination Napoléon brought together its members, partners and guests to strengthen the links between the territories in the network, share current projects and outline the major prospects for cooperation in the years to come.
Hosted by the municipality of Herceg Novi, with the support of the Montenegrin Ministry of Culture and Media, this General Assembly was an important milestone for Destination Napoléon in the Adriatic and Balkan region. Herceg Novi, a Mediterranean city with a rich history and many European influences, provided a particularly symbolic setting for recalling the network's vocation: to make Napoleonic heritage a living tool for dialogue, cultural cooperation and regional development.
Three days of meetings, exchanges and cooperation
The programme began on Sunday 31 May with the arrival of the delegations and a guided tour of Herceg Novi, starting from the House of Nobel Prize winner Ivo Andrić. This first opportunity to explore the city gave participants an insight into its history and a chance to share some convivial moments before the official opening of the conference. The day continued with a welcome dinner at the Admiral restaurant, in the spirit of exchange and proximity that characterises the Destination Napoléon network.
Monday 1 June, at the Orjen Hall of the Lazure Hotel & Marina, was the heart of the General Assembly. The plenary session opened with official speeches by Stevan Katić, Mayor of Herceg Novi, Dobrila Vlahović, Director General of the Cultural Heritage Directorate at the Ministry of Culture, and Vincent Chauvet, President of the European Federation of Napoleonic Cities - Destination Napoléon. These speeches underlined the importance of cultural heritage as a meeting place for peoples, territories and European memories.
The morning then provided an opportunity to present the Federation's main activities in 2025 and 2026, the European projects in progress or in preparation, and the new dynamics of cooperation with the members and the other Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe. The new 2026 members - Lodi, Massa, the Unione dei Comuni Val Stura and Santoña - were also presented, demonstrating the gradual expansion of the network and the diversity of territories linked to Napoleonic history.
Throughout the day, a number of members shared their experiences and best practices in mediation, cultural tourism, augmented reality, the enhancement of fortifications, battlefields, urban heritage and scientific and educational cooperation. The presentations highlighted the wealth of local initiatives and their potential for networking on a European scale.
The afternoon was devoted to two themed workshops. The first focused on structuring tourism products and experiences along Destination Napoléon; the second on the network's European, national and local governance. These working sessions gave participants an opportunity to discuss the needs of members, shared tools, methods of cooperation and prospects for joint development.
The day ended with a gala dinner in the historic Hôtel Lazure, during which the Destination Napoléon Awards ceremony was held. This first edition highlighted the initiatives, projects and best practices developed by members and partners in the fields of heritage, mediation, cultural tourism, education, innovation and European cooperation.
A forward-looking AGM
On Tuesday 2 June, the members of the Federation met for their statutory meeting. The President's report, the 2026 and 2027 budgets and the 2027 membership fees were unanimously approved. Vincent Chauvet was also unanimously re-elected President of the Fédération Européenne des Cités Napoléoniennes - Destination Napoléon. In order to strengthen the financial governance of the Federation, Gwénola De Araujo, representing Pontivy Communauté, was elected Treasurer.
The meeting also confirmed the network's next steps. The members reiterated the importance of continuing to strengthen the Federation, supporting the regions in their projects, developing European cooperation and preparing for the 40th anniversary of the Council of Europe's Cultural Routes programme in 2027, which will be a major opportunity to promote the role of Destination Napoléon within the European cultural landscape.
See you in Almeida in May 2027
At the close of the General Meeting, the municipality of Almeida in Portugal presented the broad outlines of the plans to host the Federation's next annual General Meeting, scheduled for May 2027. A major fortified town on the Iberian peninsula, deeply linked to the history of the Napoleonic invasions of Portugal, Almeida will provide an exceptional setting for continuing the exchanges begun in Herceg Novi.
After this Montenegrin edition, which was marked by an opening towards the Balkans and the Adriatic, the 2027 General Assembly will be an opportunity to highlight Portugal's Napoleonic heritage, fortifications, battlefields, historical re-enactments and the dynamics of cooperation developed around the Napoleonic Itineraries in Portugal.
From Herceg Novi to Almeida, Destination Napoléon is continuing along its European path: that of a living network, based on dialogue between territories, the transmission of memories, cultural innovation and the sustainable promotion of Napoleonic heritage.