Napoleon Bonaparte's hat will be sold at auction in Paris, estimated at 600 to 800 thousand euros

A hat that belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte when he was head of the French empire in the 19th century is to be auctioned in Paris today.

The black beaver hat with two 'ribs' is estimated at between 600,000 and 800,000 euros, reports the Telegraph.

Historians say the hat was part of Napoleon's brand. It made him stand out in battle.

He owned around 120 double-cornered hats over the years, with only 20 thought to have survived - most in private collections.

The hat is being sold along with other Napoleonic relics collected by an industrialist who died last year. /Telegraph/