After two years empty, and after concerns about its deteriorating condition, Bertrand’s Cottage is now being leased from the Government by the National Trust. The new Director of the Trust is living in the house with his family.

Bertrand’s Cottage was built for Count Henri Bertrand in 1815-16, close to Napoleon’s residence at Longwood. General Bertrand was one of Napoleon’s most loyal supporters, and accompanied him into exile on St Helena as companion and translator. The Emperor visited Bertrand’s Cottage several times, and was known to picnic on the front lawn. General Bertrand and his family occupied the cottage until Napoleon’s death in 1821. After the departure of the French, Bertrand’s Cottage became a farmhouse for the neighbouring Longwood farm. It passed through private hands until it was purchased by the St Helena Government in 1983.

The physical structure of Bertrand’s Cottage has changed little since the General’s time, making it of considerable historical importance, and with strong potential for tourism. The National Trust will prepare a Conservation Management Plan for the property, as part of its Heritage Project. This will identify the best way to sympathetically restore the Cottage, and options for its future use. The Trust will then work with others to secure the funding to restore it.