Two hundred years ago, his ancestor Napolean Bonaparte laid siege to Europe, shaping modern history with one of the greatest military conquests of all time.

But for Charles Napoleon, who spent last weekend on the campaign stump, handing out leaflets at a market in the imperial city of Fontainebleau, a seat in the next French parliament would do just fine.

The 56-year-old is Napoleon's great-great-great-grandnephew. As head of the only branch of the Bonaparte family directly descended through the male line, he also claims the title of prince of the imperial house of France.