No expense was spared in transforming the interior of the cathedral [of Nôtre Dame] into an impressive spectacle. In the middle of the nave, under a triumphal arch of enormous proportions, stood a throne to which one ascended via a wide flight of stairs. It was there that Napoleon, after his coronation, was to be proclaimed emperor and swear the oath of office. Three other thrones were erected for the pope, the emperor, and the empress; the pope's was near the altar, while Napoleon's and Josephine's faced it. Below their thrones sat a prayer bench.

Once the imperial procession had taken its place, the pope descended from his throne to go to the altar and sing the Veni Creator Spiritus. The emperor and Josephine kneeled to pray, or pretend to pray. They then rose and removed their coats, and Bonaparte handed his high officers his crown, scepter, main de justice, and sword.

After the Veni Creator Spiritus, the pope approached Napoleon and, handing him the Bible, asked for his profession of faith: "profiteris ne," etc. Bonaparte responded, placing his hand on the Bible, "profiteor." The clergy then recited the coronation prayers. Once these were finished, the great almoner, cardinals, bishops, and archbishops led the emperor and empress to the foot of the altar to be anointed on the forehead and on both palms. They then led them back to their small thrones, and the pope began the mass. At the Gradual, once the pope had blessed the imperial ornaments, the emperor received from the hands of the high dignitaries the ring, the sword, the robes, the main de justice, and the scepter. Now only the crown remained. Bonaparte, without waiting for the pope to step forward to present it to him, seized it himself from the altar, placed it on his head, and then crowned the kneeling empress.

...Covered with the symbols of his glory, Napoleon assumed the large throne accompanied by the empress, his brothers, and several grand dignitaries. When he was seated, the pope, accompanied by his cardinals, approached him and kissed him on the cheek. Having recited a prayer, he proclaimed aloud, "Vivat imperator in aeternum!" Everyone present responded, "Vive l'empereur!"

After the mass Napoleon remained on his throne. The grand almoner presented him with the Bible, and the president of the senate, accompanied by the presidents of the legislature and the tribunal, brought him the text of the oath. Napoleon put his hand on the Bible and swore to uphold the constitution. The chief herald cried, "The glorious and august emperor of the French is crowned and enthroned! Vive l'empereur!"

from J.-B. Salgues, Mémoire pour servir à l'histoire de France sous le gouvernement de Napoléon Buonaparte et pendant l'absence de la maison de Bourbon (Paris, 1814–1826)