"Well, madame, let the French be indebted to you for bringing up mothers for their children."-- "Napoleon one day interrupted Madame de Stael in the midst of a profound political argument to ask her whether she had nursed her children." Never had the establishment at St.Germain been in a more flourishing condition than in 1802-3.

What more could Madame Campan wish?
For ten years absolute in her own house, she seemed also safe from the caprice of power.

But the man who then disposed of the fate of France and Europe was soon to determine otherwise.
After the battle of Austerlitz the State undertook to bring up, at the public expense, the sisters, daughters, or nieces of those who were decorated with the Cross of Honour.

The children of the warriors killed or wounded in glorious battle were to find paternal care in the ancient abodes of the Montmorencys and the Condes.

Accustomed to concentrate around him all superior talents, fearless himself of superiority, Napoleon sought for a person qualified by experience and abilities to conduct the institution of Ecouen; he selected Madame Campan.
Comte de Lacepede, the pupil, friend, and rival of Buffon, then Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honour, assisted her with his enlightened advice.