The Napoleonic Empire
During the Consulate (1799-1804) Napoleon avoided the return of absolutism, allowed the return of exiles and signed a Concordat with the Church to establish religious peace. Conducted an administrative reform, placing prefects in the provinces, enacting a Civil Code, reforming the tax and education.
In 1804 he was so strong that he had himself crowned emperor.
During the Empire (1804-1815) His reputation was won by his ability to defeat absolute monarchs. He conquered much of Europe, reaching its greatest empire in 1811. In annexed countries he placed on the throne his family and generals of his army, and he imposed revolutionary ideas.
Napoleonic armies acted as conquerors. This made the occupied territories unchain strong national feelings against the French invasion. Paradoxically French ideals of liberty, became sustenance for many countries to oppose the French presence.In 1814, after being beaten in Russia and in Spain, Napoleon was forced to left power and he was exiled on the island of Elba. He returned in 1815, but was defeated in Waterloo and exiled on the island of St.Helena where he died in 1821.
After this last defeat it seemed inevitable in France and Europe the return of the Old Regime.