Fort de Bicetre, Siege of Paris, 1870-1871. Artist: Paul Roux


Fort de Bicetre, Siege of Paris, 1870-1871. After the disastrous defeat of the French at Sedan and the capture of Napoleon III, the Prussians surrounded Paris on 9 September 1870. The French commander, General Trochu, initially opted to rely on a static defence based on the city's fortifications rather than trying to break through the Prussian encirclement. The Prussians, meanwhile, had no intention of invading the city, relying on a blockade to compel its capitulation. Eventually the French made several attempts to break out, but all were unsuccessful. The city held out despite famine and great hardship until a bombardment with heavy siege guns led to its surrender on 28 January 1871. From a private collection.


Size: 4895px × 3569px
Location: World,Europe,France,Île-de-France,Paris
Photo credit: © Art Media-Private Collection/Heritage Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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