Which of the following events marked the end of Napoleonic rule in France?

The Battle of Waterloo marked the definitive end of Napoleonic rule in France. Fought on June 18, 1815, this battle saw the combined forces of the Seventh Coalition, led by the Duke of Wellington and Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, decisively defeat Napoleon's army. The defeat forced Napoleon to abdicate again and led to his subsequent exile to Saint Helena, where he remained until his death. This battle symbolized the collapse of Napoleon's attempts to reclaim power after his return from exile in Elba earlier that year, effectively signaling the end of his influence over France and Europe.

In contrast, while the abdication in 1814 certainly marked a pivotal moment in his rule, it was the events following his return that culminated in his ultimate defeat at Waterloo. The Congress of Vienna, held after the war in 1814-1815, was focused on redrawing European borders and restoring stability in the wake of the Napoleonic Wars but did not directly end his rule. The establishment of the Empire refers to the earlier phase of his reign when he declared himself Emperor in 1804, which is not relevant to marking its end. Thus, the Battle of Waterloo stands out as the definitive conclusion of Napoleon's