Battle of Paris

The Battle of Paris was the final engagement of the Campaign of France. While Napoleon attempted to harass coalition rearguards at Saint-Dizier, they marched directly on the capital. Marmont and Mortier, with greatly inferior forces, defended the city fiercely, notably at Belleville, Montmartre, and Romainville. On 31 March Marmont capitulated to avoid destruction of Paris.

While Napoleon was far from the capital, allied armies coordinated their assault. Paris had no modern defenses. The civilian population was terrified. Marshals had to improvise a defensive line in the suburbs. The Russian army attacked from the east, the Prussian from the north, while Austrians encircled the south. French defense, though heroic, was overwhelmed.

Marshals concentrated their meager forces on elevated and fortifiable points: Montmartre, Belleville, Père-Lachaise. Artillery was installed to slow enemy advance. Polytechnique cadets participated courageously in defense. The Allies attacked in coordinated fashion and combat degenerated into street fighting. On the evening of 31 March Marmont signed the surrender.

The fall of Paris caused immense shock in France and Europe. It led to Napoleon's abdication on 6 April 1814. Louis XVIII was restored to the throne in the following weeks. The Campaign of France ended and the Napoleonic Empire collapsed for the first time.