Welcome to "Ghost Stories From France: The Red Man of the Tuileries." In this blog, we will delve into the chilling tales and spectral sagas that have echoed through the centuries in France. Grab a blanket and a warm cup of tea as we investigate the mysterious hauntings, starting with the eerie legend of The Red Man who haunts the historic grounds of the Tuileries.

The Red Man of the Tuileries

One of the most famous ghost stories is about the Red Man of the Tuileries. For centuries, the Red Man alleged haunted the Palais des Tuileries in Paris. He was reputed to be the ghost of Jean the Skinner, who was assassinated in the 16th century, and known to wear red clothes. One of the most famous encounters with the Red Man was with Catherine de Medici during her reign. He allegedly gave her prophecies that were ominously correct, including the premature deaths of her three sons. However, the most popular story is about Napoleon Bonaparte's encounter with the ghost. Supposedly, he woke up one night in 1804 in the Louvre Palace (which was then connected to the Tuileries) to find the Red Man standing at his bedside. He had a stern warning for Napoleon, telling him not to crown himself emperor and not to marry the Archduchess Marie Louise. Alas, Napoleon didn't listen. The prophesied events came to pass, leading to his eventual downfall, and the Red Man of the Tuileries was forever remembered as a harbinger of doom. The palace was burned down by the Communards in 1871, leaving only the gardens, and the Red Man was never seen again.