LIFE / CULTURE Napoleon’s bicentennial under shadow of COVID-19 and contention By AFP Published: Apr 27, 2021 06:38 PM In the Grand Hall de la Villette on the outskirts of Paris, the trappings of an emperor are gathered: magnificent outfits, weapons, medals, porcelains, a monumental wedding carriage... A visitor looks at a painting of Napoleon in the museum dedicated to him at Ile-d'Aix, France, on April 1. Photos: AFP The question, as the 200th anniversary of Napoleon Bonaparte's death approaches on May 5, is when anyone will get to see them. The English are once again involved in scuppering his celebrations, after la variante anglaise of COVID-19 triggered a fresh wave of the pandemic and sent France back into lockdown.