The nations of early 19th-century Europe were either fighting alongside Napoleon or as part of a multi-national coalition opposing him. Poland had no choice. The only alternative to supporting the French Emperor was an alliance with the partitioning powers – and that was out of the question. Little wonder then that the French victory over the Prussian army in October 1806 kindled hope for independence. An uprising broke out in Wielkopolska on Bonaparte’s initiative and the emperor himself arrived in Poznań soon afterwards.
Napoleon first came to Wielkopolska at the end of November 1806. He came via Międzyrzecz and Bytyń, where he was welcomed and later escorted by an honorary cavalry unit made up of the sons of Wielkopolska landowners. He reached Poznań on 27 November. He stayed here more than two weeks and toured the countryside around Poznań in addition to completing routine work connected with the long-distance administration of France and its conquered territories.
He was next in Poznań on 15 July 1807, and after that in late May–early June 1812, just before setting out for Russia. He passed through the Wielkopolska capital incognito in late autumn of that year on his way back from the Moscow debacle. This was his last visit and he did not stay.
Other Wielkopolska towns – all in Poznań County – to welcome Napoleon in 1806 included Swarzędz (30 November), Konarzewo (1 December), Radojewo and Owińska, (13 December) and, at the end of May 1812, Turew (Kościan County) and Jarosławiec (Środa Wielkopolska County). The arch of triumph built by the residents of Ślesin to welcome the French Emperor in 1812 is still there, although Napoleon never saw it as he took other routes.