French Ambassador visits The Briars for Napoleon collection
French Ambassador to Australia David Martinon has visited The Briars on the Mornington Peninsula to view its Napoleonic collection. He was joined by Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie, mayor Stephen Batty and deputy mayor Paul Pingiaro. The collection dates to the Balcombe family, who befriended Napoleon during his exile on St Helena in 1815. The homestead is due to reopen later this year after restoration works, with a dedicated exhibition of the collection planned.