N & E
Napoléon & Empire

Battlefields of the Napoleonic wars

Photographing battlefields of the Napoleonic era, two centuries later, is not easy because they evolved as the landscapes of the countryside but also as our cities...

Parade near the Lion's Mound at Waterloo
Parade near the Lion's Mound at Waterloo
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Some have remained in a state close to that fighters roamed at the time: either because they have been protected (Waterloo) or because their rurality has avoided them, for now, a too visible transformation (Marengo, Austerlitz, Eckmühl, Friedland, Champaubert...). Of course, some electrical or telephone poles and wires, some antennas or satellite dishes, some cars or tractors, some advertisement billboards were added to those places (one must move with the times, even in the countryside); but the photo retouching softwares can often remove them, so we can see before us a state close to that as valiant veterans, and the Emperor himself, saw.

But alas it is not of same everywhere. Cities, especially, have been greatly transformed, sometimes even in their historical center. Some quintupled or tenfold of size (Alessandria, Mantua, Vienna and its surroundings, Leipzig, Dresden, Vitoria, Laon, Montereau ...), others were disfigured during subsequent conflicts (Reims during World War I, Ulm, Dresden and Leipzig during World War II). Housing estates have flourished even in the countryside (Wagram, Vauchamps); when this is not one of those awful commercial areas, over several dozen acres, that has settled over much of the battlefield (La Favorita near Mantua, Mont-St-Pierre at Tinqueux near Reims). Then, a church, a few walls, a piece of land are all that remains to be seen... for how long?

We have not visited all the Napoleonic battlefields, far from it. Our next years will be devoted to enriching the iconography. Then some younger persons will take over from us, we hope so, to complete this work. Because images never die.

Enjoy your visit!

 Visited in 2012-2014 

France ARCIS-SUR-AUBE (20 and 21 March 1814)

The battlefield is located on the left bank of the river Aube, therefore to the south of it. It stretches in a semi-circle around Arcis: Villette to the west (on the road to Méry-sur-Seine), Nozay to the south-west and Mesnil-la-Comtesse to the south-east (on both sides of the road to Troyes), Torcy-le-Grand and Torcy-le-Petit to the east (towards Brienne). The land is absolutely flat.

A single bridge, in Arcis itself, makes it possible to reach the right bank of the Aube. During the battle, a temporary bridge had been thrown over the river near Villette.

  1. Arcis-sur-Aube: the church, downtown Arcis [48.53667, 4.14197]
  2. Arcis-sur-Aube: the castle City Hall of Arcis-sur-Aube City Hall of Arcis-sur-Aube [today the City Hall]
  3. Arcis-sur-Aube: the bridge over the river Aube Bridge of Arcis-sur-Aube Bridge of Arcis-sur-Aube
  4. The river Aube The river Aube
  5. The battlefield, south of Arcis, towards Villette The battlefield, south of Arcis
  6. Dommartin Dommartin-le-Franc
  7. Méry-sur-Seine Méry-sur-Seine
  8. Mesnil-la-Comtesse: the village Mesnil-la-Comtesse and its surroundings Surroundings of Mesnil-la-Comtesse
  9. Nozay Nozay
  10. Plancy-l'Abbaye Plancy l'Abbaye
  11. Torcy-le-Grand Torcy-le-Grand
  12. Villette Villette-sur-Aube
 Visited in 2012, 2013 and 2016 

Italy ARCOLE (15 to 17 November 1796)

The famous Arcole bridge spans the Alpone torrent, which flows in a north-south direction before going to throw itself into the Adige river, a few kilometers south-east of Ronco all'Adige. The village is entirely located to the east of the Alpone, therefore on its left bank. Visited in summer, the level of the latter was very low, but in mid-November 1796 it was certainly not the same!

The bridge itself still retained its two piers in 2013, but its deck, made of wood during the battle, was concreted (as were the banks). Alas, during our visit in 2016 it had been replaced by a bridge with a single arch in reinforced concrete and corten steel, no longer having anything to do with the historic bridge known to Bonaparte and Augereau... The surrounding marshes have dried up for a long time, and all the land is now cultivated.

  1. Albaredo Albaredo
  2. Arcole: the bridge [45.35728, 11.27773] in 2012-2013, seen from the eastern bank The 2013 bridge of Arcole over the river Alpone and from the western bank The bridge of Arcole over the Alpone, in 2013
  3. Arcole : the bridge in 2016, seen from upstream The 2016 bridge of Arcole over the river Alpone, view 1 and downstream The 2016 bridge of Arcole over the river Alpone, view 2
  4. Arcole: the outlet of the bridge on the left (east) bank held by the Austrians The left bank of the Alpone and on the right bank (west, held by the French) The right bank of the Alpone, view 1 The right bank of the Alpone, view 2. At the time they were swamps
  5. Arcole: obelisk erected in 1810 at the outlet of the bridge Obelisk near the bridge of Arcole Obelisk near the bridge of Arcole on the right bank, to the west, and the commemorative plaques A commemorative plaque on the obelisk at Arcole Commemorative plaque on the obelisk at Arcole affixed on it
  6. Arcole: the outlet of the bridge on the eastern bank of the river Alpone The outlet of the bridge on the left bank and the village Arcole
  7. Arcole: the Alpone river, upstream the bridge The river Alpone upstream the bridge and downstream The river Alpone downstream the bridge The Alpone river upstream the bridge, and several kilometers further its confluence with the Adige river The confluence uf the Alpone with the Adige
  8. Arcole: the Palazzo Ruffo The Palazzo Ruffo at Arcole and a vintage house A vintage house in Arcole
  9. Caldiero : the village Caldiero and the Monte Rocca The Monte Rocca at Caldiero
  10. Colognola Colognola
  11. The locality named Porcil Porcil
  12. Ronco all'Adige: Napoléon Bonaparte's headquarters during the battle and the following day Headquarters of Napoléon Bonaparte at Ronco
  13. San Bonifacio San Bonifacio
  14. San Giacomo San Giacomo
  15. San Martino San Martino
  16. San Michele-extra San Michele-extra
  17. San Stefano di Zimella San Stefano di Zimella
  18. Villafranca di Verona: Napoléon Bonaparte's headquarters the evening before the battle Headquarters of Napoleon Bonaparte at Villafranca di Verona
 
 Visited in 2014 

Austria ASPERN-ESSLING (21 and 22 May 1809)

The Battle of Aspern-Essling is called Battle of Aspern by German speakers and Essling by French speakers. The violent and deadly clashes took place in and around these two villages, north of the Danube [they are now part of the 22nd district of Vienna], as well as in Gross-Enzersdorf, a little further east. Demographic and urban developments mean that unfortunately, at the start of the 21st century, it is very difficult for visitors to imagine themselves on the battlefield, and it is necessary to move a few hectometers north of Eßlinger Hauptstraße to find a few remaining fields between residential areas.

Remains the island of Lobau, further south, between the Danube [nowadays canalized] and an arm of it, which will delight the Napoleonic hiker or cyclist. This area of four by three kilometers, made of woods and swamps, crossed by roads and dirt paths, has remained in a state close to that experienced by French soldiers, or the famous writer Honoré de Balzac who visited it in 1835. The Austrians did things well on the occasion of the centenary commemoration in 1909, since several stone markers were erected at places affected by the preparations for the battle, or the retreat which followed it. The island is now classified, so we can be optimistic for the future.

  1. Aspern: the church Aspern Church of Aspern
  2. Aspern: the cemetery Cemetery of Aspern and the Sebastian chapel The Sebastian chapel at Aspern
  3. Aspern: the Lion, sculpture honoring the Austrian fighters The Lion of Aspern
  4. Aspern: obelisk in memory of the Austrian soldiers Obelisk at Aspern
  5. Bisamberg Bisamberg
  6. Breitenlee Breitenlee, where Archduke Charles established his headquarters
  7. Battlefield, north of the Lobau North of the Lobau
  8. The river Danube The Danube, seen from its right bank The Danube The Danube at Nüssdorf (© 2014 Michèle Grau-Ghelardi)
  9. Essling: the church Church of Essling and the castle The castle of Essling, on both sides of main street
  10. Essling: the Granary Granary of Essling Granary of Essling [48.21597, 16.52416] where the French have valiantly withstood the Austrian assaults
  11. Gross-Enzersdorf: the village Gross-Enzersdorf, the church Gross-Enzersdorf and the battlefield between Essling and Gross-Enzersdorf Battlefield near Gross-Enzersdorf
  12. Kagran: inn havin hosted Napoléon Inn at Kagran
  13. The Lobau Island: landscapes Lobau Island Lobau Island Lobau Island Lobau Island The Lobau with a bras of the Danube Lobau Island Lobau Island Lobau Island Lobau Island Lobau Island Lobau Island
  14. The Lobau Island: memorial stones : Napoleon's headquarters Headquarters of Napoléon, powder reserve Powder reserve at the Lobau Island, French bridgehead French bridgehead, French cemetery French cemetery
  15. The plain of Marchfeld Plain of Marchfeld Plain of Marchfeld
  16. Markgrafneusiedl: Archduke Charles' headquarters Headquarters of Archduke Charles at Markgrafneusiedl
  17. Süssenbrunn Süssenbrunn
 Visited in 2017 and 2022 

Germany AUERSTAEDT (14 October 1806)

Many thanks to Mrs. Christiane Deshaies-Da Luz for the photos she provided us to put on the website.

Auerstaedt [now Auerstedt] is a village located some thirty kilometers north of Jena, a German town in northern Thuringia, where another Napoleonic victory took place on the same day. The battlefield, which is located to the north and east of the village, is moderately hilly and crossed by a stream called the Lissbach.

  1. Apolda: general view Apolda and the church The church in Apolda
  2. Auerstaedt: the castle [Rittergut] The castle of Auerstaedt Auerstaedt's castle, that served as Prussian HQ before and during the battle
  3. Auerstaedt: the old post The old post of Auerstaedt, a street A street in Auerstaedt, the church The church of Auerstaedt and the little museum dedicated to the battle The little museum in Auerstaedt
  4. The surroundings of Auerstaedt: views of the battlefield The battlefield near Auerstedt, view 1 The battlefield near Auerstedt, view 2 The battlefield near Auerstedt, view 3 The battlefield near Auerstedt, view 4
  5. Eckartzberga: the castle Eckartzberga : the castle, the inn where Napoleon stayed Inn at Eckartzberga and the battlefield on the road to Gernstedt The battlefield between Gernstedt et Eckartzberga
  6. Gernstedt: the church The church of Gernstedt, the battlefield around The battlefield near Gernstedt Battlefield near Gernstedt and stele at General von Kalkreuth's Reserve Corps Kalkreuth stele in Gernstedt Stele at General von Kalkreuth's Reserve Corps
  7. Hassenhausen: general view Aerial view of Hassenhausen Hassenhausen, the High Street [Obergasse] Obergasse in Hassenhausen leading to the old presbytery, now a museum of the battle Museum at Hassenhausen
  8. Hassenhausen: the monument commemorating the battle Monument commemorating the battle in Hassenhausen, the Prussian stele Prussian stele in Hassenhausen, the Blücher stele Blücher stele in Hassenhausen Blücher stele near Hassenhausen and the Gudin stele Gudin stele in Hassenhausen The Gudin stele in Hassenhausen
  9. Between Hassenhausen and Taugwitz: the battlefield The battlefield between Hassenhausen / Taugwitz, view 1 The battlefield between Hassenhausen / Taugwitz, view 2 The battlefield between Hassenhausen / Taugwitz, view 3, the Wartensleben stele The Wartensleben stele between Hassenhausen / Taugwitz Wartensleben stele between Hassenhausen / Taugwitz and the Brunswick monument, erected on the spot where the prince was seriously injured Brunswick Monument between Hassenhausen / Taugwitz [51.12492, 11.64641]
  10. Kösen: the river Saale The river Saale at Kösen, view 1 The river Saale at Kösen, view 2 The river Saale at Kösen, view 3 and hthe bridge over it Bridge over the river Saale at Kösen, view 1 Bridge over the river Saale at Kösen, view 2 Bridge over the river Saale at Kösen, view 3
  11. Kösen: the pass The pass of Kösen and the battlefield The battlefield above Kösen above the city, southwest of it
  12. The Lissbach river The Lissbach river between Sonnendorf and Sulza
  13. Punschrau: view of the village Punschrau and the mill having witnessed the fighting Mill at Punschrau
  14. Rehehausen: general view Rehehausen
  15. The Sonnenberg: pastures On the Sonnenberg, vineyard Vinyard at the Sonnenberg, and stele at the Brouard brigade of the Morand division Brouard / Morand stele at the Sonnenberg Brouard / Morand stele on the Sonnenberg
  16. Spielberg: general view General view of Spielberg, the village Spielberg and the St Martin church The church of Spielberg
  17. Spielberg: the battlefield The battlefield near Spielberg and the Friant stele The Friant stele in Spielberg Friant stele in Spielberg
  18. Sulza: the village Sulza and the Oswald stele Oswald stele in Sulza
  19. Tauchwitz [Taugwitz]: general view Aerial vie of Taugwitz Taugwitz, the entrance to the village The entrance to Taugwitz and its church The church of Taugwitz
 
 Visited in 2014 

Czech Republic AUSTERLITZ (2 December 1805)

The battle of Austerlitz was fought over a very large area, east of Brünn [Brno] in southern Moravia. The combat area is roughly in the shape of a point-down triangle whose base, to the north, is the Brno-Olomouc road, and the point, to the south, corresponds to the village of Satschann [Zatcany]. Between the center of the triangle and its right edge, the elongated plateau of Pratzen [Prace], oriented SW-NE, overhangs the rest of the area, which is quite hilly, by about 80 meters.

Contemplating – if it isn't raining – the sunrise above this plateau, for example from the road [49.12917, 16.73428] Kobelnitz [Kobylnice]-Sokolnitz [Sokolnice], certainly constitutes the the ultimate in Napoleonic tourism

  1. Aujest [Újezd u Brna]: downtown Aujezd, the St-Antony chapel St-Antony chapel at Aujezd and the surrounding fields Surroundings of Aujezd
  2. Austerlitz [Slavkov u Brna]: the castle, Napoléon's headquarters after the battle Castle of Austerlitz Castle of Austerlitz
  3. Austerlitz [Slavkov u Brna]: the St-Urban chapel St-Urban chapel at Austerlitz, French look-out before the battle
  4. Birnbaum [Hrušky u Brna]: the village Birnbaum
  5. Birnbaum [Hrušky u Brna]: the swamps Swamps near Birnbaum
  6. Birnbaum [Hrušky u Brna]: the battlefield Field near Birnbaum Field near Birnbaum
  7. Blasowitz [Blažovice]: the village Blasowitz
  8. Bosenitz [Tvarožná]: the church Bozenitz
  9. Bosenitz [Tvarožná]: the Santon hill [49.188397, 16.76375] The Santon hill The Santon hill, its chapel Chapel at the top of the Santon hill and the General Valhubert memorial monument, in front of the hill General Valhubert memorial
  10. The Gandia Inn [Osada Kandie] [49.18722, 16.70611] The Gandia Inn The Gandia Inn, HQ of Napoleon where Napoleon positioned himself on November 29
  11. The Goldbach creek The Goldbach creek The Goldbach creek, which runs through the battlefield, west of the Pratzen Heights
  12. Holubitz [Holubice]: the village Holubitz, its church Holubitz and the monument to Joachim Murat Murat Monument at Holubitz with a medallion bearing his image Murat Monument at Holubitz
  13. Horka [49.18111, 16.72839]: Napoléon's headquarters the day before the battle Headquarters of Napoleon at Horka Headquarters of Napoleon at Horka
  14. Hostieradek [Hosterádky-Rešov]: the village Hostieradek
  15. Jirschikowitz [Jirikovice]: the main street Girzikowitz
  16. Kobelnitz [Kobylnice u Brna]: a farm within the village Kobelnitz
  17. Kruh: the hamlet Kruh
  18. Krzenowitz [Krenovice]: the village Krenowitz and the St-Lawrence church St-Lawrence church at Krenowitz
  19. Krzenowitz [Krenovice]: former Spacil farm, which hosted Kutuzov's headquarters Headquarters of Kutuzov at Krenowitz Headquarters of Kutuzov at Krenowitz and the statue of Kutuzov downtown Statue of Kutuzov at Krenowitz
  20. Krzenowitz [Krenovice]: a french cannon, a relic of the battle French cannon at Krenowitz French cannon at Krenowitz
  21. Krzenowitz [Krenovice]: the battlefield Field near Krenowitz Field near Krenowitz
  22. Krzenowitz [Krenovice]: place called "The Kutuzov Cross": the roman cross The Kutuzov Cross and panorama View from the Kutuzov Cross from this location
  23. The Littawa river The Littawa river The Littawa river, east of the battlefield, which fed the ponds of Satschann
  24. Marxdorf or Maxdorf [Dvorska]: the village Maxdorf
  25. Menitz [Menín]: the church Church of Menitz
  26. Posoritz: the village Posoritz and its church Church of Posoritz
  27. Pratzen [Prace]: the village Pratzen, the Holy-Cross church Holy-Cross church at Pratzen and a field nearby Field near Pratzen
  28. Pratzen [Prace]: the Pratzen Heights The Pratzen Heights The Pratzen Heights The Pratzen Heights and the Peace Monument which was erected upon them Peace Monument upon the Pratzen Heights
  29. Pratzen [Prace]: sunrise (the famous "Soleil d'Austerlitz") over the Pratzen Heights Sunrise over the Pratzen Heights Sunrise over the Pratzen Heights Sunrise over the Pratzen Heights Sunrise over the Pratzen Heights Sunrise over the Pratzen Heights Sunrise over the Pratzen Heights
  30. Puntowitz [Ponetovice]: the main street Puntowitz
  31. The convent of Raygern Raygern near which stood Davout the day before the battle
  32. The Roketnice creek The Roketnice creek, near Puntowitz
  33. Satschann [Zatcany]: the church of the village Satschan and the famous ponds Former pond at Satschan, now dried up and cultivated
  34. Scharatitz [Šaratice]: the village Scharatitz, the church Church of Scharatitz, and the battlefield Field near Scharatitz
  35. Schlapanitz [Šlapanice]: Marshal Soult's headquarters Headqurters of Marshal Soult at Schlapanitz and the monument to Jean-Dominique Larrey Monument to Larrey at Schlapanitz
  36. Sokolnitz [Sokolnice]: the former granary Sokolnitz
  37. Sokolnitz [Sokolnice]: the castle Sokolnitz and the place where french artilery stood Place where artilery stood at Sokolnitz over its Eastern walls
  38. Surroundings of Sokolnitz [Sokolnice]: the battlefield at dawn Battlefield at dawn near Sokolnitz Battlefield at dawn near Sokolnitz Battlefield at dawn near Sokolnitz
  39. Stará Posta Stara Posta near Posoritz Stara Posta near Posoritz Stara Posta near Posoritz, a posthouse near Posoritz
  40. Stare Vinohrady Stare Vinohrady, a hill where General Rapp presented to Napoleon the flags taken from the enemy
  41. Telnitz [Telnice]: the village Telnitz
  42. Telnitz [Telnice]: ponds between Telnitz and Menitz Pond in the Telnitz-Menitz area Pond in the Telnitz-Menitz area
  43. Turas [Brno-Turany]: the church Turas
  44. Walspitz or Welspitz [Velešovice]: the village Walspitz
  45. Waschan [Vážany nad Litavou]: the village Waschan and the battlefield Battlefied near Waschan Battlefied near Waschan
  46. Zbeischow or Sbischow [Zbýšov u Slavkova]: the village Zbeischow Zbeischow
  47. North of Zbýšov: place called "The Three Emperors" [49.14130, 16.79380]: memorial monument Place called The 3 Emperors near Krenowitz which was inaugurated in 2005 for the bicentenary of the battle, and the panorama View from the place called The 3 Emperors from this point
  48. The Zuran mound [49.17979, 16.73842] The Zuran mound The Zuran mound, from which Napoleon harangued his troops in the evening of December 1st (memorial monument Monument of the Zuran mound) then led the battle the following day until noon
  49. The Zuran mound: the wonderful panorama Panorama from the Zuran mound Panorama from the Zuran mound Panorama from the Zuran mound Panorama from the Zuran mound one can see from this strategic location
  50. After the battle:

  51. Spaleny Mlyn ("Burned Mill") at Januv Dvur Spaleny Mlyn at Januv Dvur where Napoleon and Emperor Francis II met on December 4, under a lime tree Spaleny Mlyn at Januv Dvur Spaleny Mlyn at Januv Dvur to discuss peace
The Austerlitz battlefield
The Austerlitz battlefield
 
 Visited in 2018 

Spain BAILÉN (19-22 July 1808)

Bailén (or Baylén) is an Andalusian town located nowadays in the province of Jaén, about forty kilometers north of it.

The battlefield is moderately rugged but above all very arid. Nowadays the cultivation of the olive tree is omnipresent, much more intensive than at the time.

  1. Bailén: The Cerrajón hill The Cerrajón hill, view 1 The Cerrajón hill, view 2, south of the battlefield
  2. Bailén: The Haza Walona (or Valona) hill The Haza Walona hill, view 1 The Haza Walona hill, view 2, also south of the battlefield, east of Cerrajón hill
  3. Bailén: the locality Cruz Blanca La Cruz Blanca [38.09234, -3.79165], center of the battlefield
  4. Bailén: the hills named Zumacar Chico Zumacar Chico, north of the main road, and Zumacar Grande Zumacar Grande, even further north
  5. Bailén: the City Hall City Hall of Bailén, and the parish church of the Incarnation The parish church of the Incarnation, Bailén in which rest since 1963 the remains of General Castaños
  6. Bailén: the palm grove Palm grove in Bailén leading to the monument commemorating General Castaños Monument commemorating General Castaños, view 1 Monument commemorating General Castaños, view 2 Monument commemorating General Castaños, view 3
  7. Bailén: the chapel Ermita limpia y pura Chapel Ermita limpia y pura, view 1 Chapel Ermita limpia y pura, view 2 where according to tradition General Claude François Dupré (or Duprès), mortally wounded during the battle, would be buried, and its commemorative plaque Plaque on the chapel Ermita limpia y pura
  8. Bailén: the museum of the battle Museum of the battle of Bailén, the monument to General Reding de Biberegg Monument to General Reding de Biberegg and the one to José de San Martín The monument to General San Martin, future Argentine general and statesman, who fought in this battle as a captain
  9. The route Road leading to the river Rumblar leading to the Rumblar valley The Rumblar valley and the fields around Battlefield near the river Rumblar, view 1 Battlefield near the river Rumblar, view 2
  10. The river Rumblar The river Rumblar, view 1 The river Rumblar, view 2 and the current bridge over it The bridge over the river Rumblar, view 1 The bridge over the river Rumblar, view 2 The bridge over the river Rumblar, view 3
  11. Ventorrillo Ventorrillo, a hamlet west of the battlefield, and its surroundings The surroundings of Ventorrillo, view 1 The surroundings of Ventorrillo, view 2
  12. After the battle:

  13. Vilanueva de la Reina: the post relay Post relay at Vilanueva de la Reina where the talks were held after the battle, and the fresco in azulejos Fresco at the old post relay of Vilanueva de la Reina commemorating his event
 Visited in 2016 

Italy BASSANO (8 September 1796)

Bassano del Grappa is located in Veneto, at the foot of the Vicentine Prealps, on the Brenta River. This very picturesque town is a popular vacation spot for Venetians.

  1. The Brenta valley above Bassano del Grappa The Brenta valley, view 1 The Brenta valley, view 2 The Brenta valley, view 3 The Brenta valley, view 4
  2. North of Bassano del Grappa: the plain North of Bassano del Grappa between the Grappa massif and the Brenta valley
  3. Bassano del Grappa: geneal view Bassano del Grappa, the castle tower Bassano del Grappa and the Ponte Vecchio (or Ponte degli Alpini) [45.76750, 11.73118] over the Brenta The old bridge at Bassano del Grappa
  4. After the battle:

  5. General Bonaparte's HQ at the end of the fights Headquarters of General Bonaparte at Bassano del Grappa and its commemorative plaque Plaque at General Bonaparte's headquarters in Bassano
 
 Visited in 2022 

Germany BAUTZEN (20-21 May 1813)

Bautzen [Budyšin in Sorbian] is a town in Saxony 60 kilometers east of Dresden. At the time, it was a large town of some 10,000 inhabitants.

The battlefield, moderately hilly and fairly sparsely wooded, is to the east of the city; the various villages there remain preserved for the moment, due to their rural nature.

  1. Baruth: the manor The manor of Baruth
  2. Between Baruth and Weissenberg: the battlefield The battlefield between Baruth - Weissenberg, view 1 The battlefield between Baruth - Weissenberg, view 2 The battlefield between Baruth - Weissenberg, view 3 The battlefield between Baruth - Weissenberg, view 4
  3. Bautzen: the commemorative monument at the cemetery The commemorative monument at the cemetery of Bautzen Commemorative monument at the cemetery of Bautzen
  4. Bautzen: the stone bridge The stone bridge at Bautzen
  5. Gleina: an aerial view of the village Aerialview of Gleina
  6. Gleina: the Windmühlenberg The Windmühlenberg at Gleina, view 1 The Windmühlenberg at Gleina, view 2 [51.23957, 14.55108]
  7. Hochkirch: the village Hochkirch
  8. Jenkowitz: the Monarchenhügel The Monarchenhügel at Jenkowitz, view 1 The Monarchenhügel at Jenkowitz, view 2
  9. Jenkowitz: a period house, in ruins A period house at Jenkowitz
  10. Kreckwitz: the battlefield The battlefield at Kreckwitz
  11. Kreckwitz: the commemoratie monument Commemorative monument in Kreckwitz, view 1 Commemorative monument in Kreckwitz, view 2 and panel Commemorative panel in Kreckwitz
  12. Between Kreckwitz and Pliesskowitz: the battlefield The battlefield between Kreckwitz - Pliesskowitz, view 1 The battlefield between Kreckwitz - Pliesskowitz, view 2 The battlefield between Kreckwitz - Pliesskowitz, view 3
  13. Malschwitz: general view Malschwitz
  14. A pond between Malschwitz and Pliesskowitz A pond between Malschwitz and Pliesskowitz
  15. Niederkaina: views of the battlefield from the Napoleonsberg (or Schafsberg) The battlefield seen from the Napoleonsberg at Niederkaina, view 1 The battlefield seen from the Napoleonsberg at Niederkaina, view 2 The battlefield seen from the Napoleonsberg at Niederkaina, view 3
  16. Preititz: the manor The manor of Preititz and the informative panel Informative panel in front of the manor of Preititz
  17. Purschwitz: the battlefield The battlefield at Purschwitz
  18. Purschwitz (Klein-) [Neupurschwitz]: the inn where Napoleon set up his HQ after the battle The inn at Neupurschwitz and a commemorative stone Commemorative stone near the inn of Neupurschwitz nearby
  19. Rackel: a horse on the battlefield The battlefield at Rackel
  20. Rodewitz: the battlefield The battlefield at Rodewitz
  21. Weißenberg: the village Weissenberg
  22. Wurschen: aerial view Wurschen, the Wasserschloss castle The Wasserschloss castle at Wurschen which served as the headquarters of the Prussian army, and a nearby pond Pond near the Wasserschloss castle at Wurschen
 
 Visited in 2017 

Spain BODÓN (EL-) (25 September 1811)

Many thanks to Mrs. Florence Thévenot († 2021) for the photos she provided us to put on the website.

El Bodón is a village located about fifteen kilometers southwest of Ciudad Rodrigo, a fortified town then besieged by the troops of General Wellington (southwest of the current region of Castile and León, near the border with Portugal).

The battlefield is rugged and very wooded for the region.

  1. The village of El Bodón El Bodón : the village A general view of El Bodón and its church Church of El Bodón
  2. The battlefield El Bodón: the battlefield, view 1 El Bodón: the battlefield, view 2 El Bodón: the battlefield, view 3 El Bodón: the battlefield, view 4 El Bodón: the battlefield, view 5 west of the village, and the path through it El Bodón: the battlefield, view 6 El Bodón: the battlefield, view 7
  3. A possible descendant of one of the horses of Louis Pierre de Montbrun's cavalry A horse near El Bodón Horse near El Bodón
  4. The commemorative monument El Bodón: the commemorative monument, view 1 El Bodón: the commemorative monument, view 2 El Bodón: the commemorative monument, view 3 [40.49579, -6.60743] erected in 2011 for the bicentenary of the battle, and its bas-relief plaques El Bodón: the commemorative monument, plaque 1 El Bodón: the commemorative monument, plaque 2 El Bodón: the commemorative monument, plaque 3 El Bodón: the commemorative monument, plaque 4 which illustrate the fights.
 Visited in 2012, 2013 and 2016

Italy BORGHETTO (30 May 1796)

The fighting took place at Valeggio-sul-Mincio, a small town twenty-five kilometers southwest of Verona, where Bonaparte had established his Headquarters, in which he was almost captured. Then below the town, at a place called Borghetto (literally "Little Town") where the Mincio, widened by several artificial thresholds, is crossed by the Visconti bridge [Ponte Visconteo] built in the fourteenth century, 650 meters long and 20 wide, nowadays a road [Strada Viscontea].

The very picturesque hamlet of Borghetto includes several water mills, now restored, and is dominated by the imposing castle [Castello Scaligero] of Valeggio, built in the thirteenth century. It is part of the club "I Borghi più belli d'Italia" ("The most beautiful villages in Italy").

  1. Borghetto: the strada Viscontea Borghetto Borghetto Strada Viscontea at Borghetto [45.35488, 10.72505] that spans the Mincio river
  2. Borghetto: the edges of the Mincio river The edges of the Mincio river at Borghetto, view 1 The edges of the Mincio river at Borghetto, view 2 The edges of the Mincio river at Borghetto, view 3
  3. Borghetto: aerial view of the village Aerial view of Borghetto
  4. Borghetto: the village Borghetto, view 1 Borghetto, view 3
  5. The river Mincio downstream Borghetto The river Mincio downstream Borghetto, view 1 The river Mincio downstream Borghetto, view 2
  6. Mantua, seen from San Giorgio bridge over the Mincio river Mantua
  7. Valeggio sul Mincio: the castle Castle of Valeggio sul Mincio Castle of Valeggio sul Mincio
  8. Valeggio sul Mincio: headquarters of General Napoléon Bonaparte Headquarters of Napoleon Bonaparte at Valeggio sul Mincio The headquarters of Napoleon Bonaparte at Valeggio sul Mincio
  9. Villafranca di Verona: the walls Villafranca di Verona: the walls, view 1 Villafranca di Verona: the walls, view 2
  10. Villafranca di Verona: plaque at General Bonaparte's HQ Villafranca di Verona: plaque at the HQ of General Bonaparte
 
 Visited in 2012-2014 

France BRIENNE (29 January 1814)

Recall that Brienne, located 37 kilometers east-northeast of Troyes, is first of all the city which welcomed the young Bonaparte to his military school; also a visit to the small museum that the building houses today will not fail to move the Napoleonic tourist...

As for the battle of 1814, it was held at the castle and its terraces which dominate the city, and in the streets of it. Clashes also took place to the north-east of the city, in the woods of Maizières, and to the north, in Rances. The rather limited surface area of the battlefield resulted in numerous very violent hand-to-hand combats, which resulted in Blücher almost being captured and Napoleon killed by a Cossack.

  1. Brienne-le-Château: downtown Brienne-le-Château
  2. The castle of Brienne [nowadays a psychiatric hospital] [48.39318, 4.52388]: day Castle of Brienne and night The castle of Brienne
  3. The battlefield:  Battlefield near Brienne Battlefield near Brienne
  4. Brienne-la-Vieille: the village Brienne-la-Vieille
  5. Road between Brienne and Maizières: the place where Napoleon almost fell victim to a Cossack's lance on the evening of the fighting The road from Brienne to Maizières, and the commemorative stone Commemorative stone on the road to Maizières
  6. Maizières-lès-Brienne: the Saint-Julien-l'Hospitalier church Church of Maizières and the rectory The cure of Maizières, where Napoléon spent the night following the battle
  7. Rances: the church Rances
 
 Visited in 2017 

Portugal BUÇACO (or BUSSACO) (27 September 1810)

Buçaco is a village in central Portugal, between Porto and Lisbon [Lisboa], in the middle mountains (Serra de Buçaco).

The battlefield is tormented and very wooded, the forest of Buçaco, now classified, containing hundreds of different species, planted in the 17th century by the Carmelites of the nearby abbey [the convent is nowadays adjacent to a luxury hotel built at the end of the 19th century].

  1. The forest of Buçaco The forest of Buçaco, view 1 The forest of Buçaco, view 2 The forest of Buçaco, view 3, which occupies most of the battlefield
  2. The mill of Sula The mill of Sula, view 1 The mill of Sula, view 2 where the English general Craufurd stood, the commemorative plaque The mill of Sula, plaque and the panorama from this strategic point Panorama from the mill of Sula, view 1 Panorama from the mill of Sula, view 2 Panorama from the mill of Sula, view 3 Panorama from the mill of Sula, view 4 Panorama from the mill of Sula, view 5 Panorama from the mill of Sula, view 6 Panorama from the mill of Sula, view 7
  3. The mill of Moura The mill of Moura, view 1 The mill of Moura, view 2, southeast of the previous one, command post of Marshal André Masséna, the interior of the mill The interior of the mill of Moura, the commemorative plaques The mill of Moura, plaque 1 The mill of Moura, plaque 2 and the panorama from this location Panorama from the mill of Moura, view 1 Panorama from the mill of Moura, view 2 Panorama from the mill of Moura, view 3
  4. The road leading through the forest Buçaco: the road leading to General Wellington's headquarters, to General Wellington's headquarters at the start of the battle Buçaco: General Wellington's headquarters, view 1 Buçaco: General Wellington's headquarters, view 2 [40.35062, -8.34625], the commemorative plaque Buçaco: plaque at General Wellington's headquarters, and the panorama from this location Buçaco: panorama from General Wellington's headquarters, view 1 Buçaco: panorama from General Wellington's headquarters, view 2 Buçaco: panorama from General Wellington's headquarters, view 3 Buçaco: panorama from General Wellington's headquarters, view 4 Buçaco: panorama from General Wellington's headquarters, view 5 Buçaco: panorama from General Wellington's headquarters, view 6
  5. Buçaco: the Battle Memorial Buçaco: the Battle Memorial, view 1 Buçaco: the Battle Memorial, view 2 erected in 1873, and the inscriptions Buçaco: the Battle Memorial, text Buçaco: text at the Battle Memorial appearing there
  6. Buçaco: the church Nossa Senhora da Vitória e Almas Buçaco: the church Nossa Senhora da Vitória e Almas which served as a hospital after the battle, and the adjoining military museum Buçaco: the military museum Buçaco: flowerbed in front of the military museum, inaugurated by King Manuel II for the centenary of the battle in 1910
  7. Buçaco: the hero of the battle gave his name to a village street Buçaco: Wellington Street ...
 Visited in 2012, 2016 and 2022 

Italy CASTIGLIONE (5 August 1796)

Castiglione delle Stiviere is a town located about twelve kilometers south of Lake Garda, on a road leading to Mantua [Mantova]. A few kilometers east of Castiglione are Solferino and San Cassiano, south-east Guidizzolo, south Medole. It was in this quadrilateral, including Monte Medolano in its western quadrant (in fact a hill) and comprising the rest of the Medole plain, that most of the fighting took place.

  1. Castiglione delle Stiviere: the cathedral Cathedral of Castiglione delle Stiviere, edificated in 1761, and the battlefield at the foot of the village Castiglione delle Stiviere
  2. Castiglione delle Stiviere: Napoléon Bonaparte's headquarters, Piazza Colonna Headquarters of Napoleon Bonaparte at Castiglione Headquarters of Napoleon Bonaparte at Castiglione [today Piazza Ugo Dallò] [45.39182, 10.49038] on August 4 and 5.
  3. Cavriana Cavriana, southeast of Solferino
  4. Grole: aerial view of this village Grole, which is located halfway between Castiglione and Solferino
  5. Guidizzolo Guidizzolo, south of Cavriana
  6. Medole: the romanesque church Santa Maria della Pieve Medole and the battlefield nearby Battlefield near Medole
  7. The Monte Medolano seen from the north The Monte Medolano seen from the north and from the south The Monte Medolano seen from the south
  8. At the bottom of Monte Medolano: a farm Farm at the bottom of Monte Medolano and the plaque commemorating the battle Plaque at the bottom of Monte Medolano (as well as that of Solferino on June 24, 1859, under Napoleon III)
  9. The road from Brescia to Mantua near Castiglione delle Stiviere The road from Brescia to Mantua
  10. Solferino: the battlefield below the village The battlefield below Solferino, view 1 The battlefield below Solferino, view 2 The battlefield below Solferino, view 3
  11. Solferino: the Town Hall square [Piazza Luigi Torelli] Town Hall square in Solferino and the Piazza del Castello Piazza del Castello at Solferino which overlooks the village
 
 Visited in 2012-2015 

France CHAMPAUBERT (10 February 1814)

The small village of Champaubert constituted, in 1814, an important strategic crossroads, at the intersection of the east-west road Châlons-Montmirail-Meaux-Paris and the north-south road Reims-Epernay-Sézanne-Troyes.

The terrain witnessing the battle, moderately hilly, quite wooded in places, is located on either side of these two axes, within a radius of six kilometers around Champaubert: to the west as far as Fromentières , to the north to La Caure, to the east to Etoges, to the south to the Petit-Morin stream via Baye, to the southwest to Bannay and its surroundings.

  1. The Andrecy or Andecy farm Andecy
  2. Bannay: the hamlet Bannay
  3. Baye: the castle Castle of Baye
  4. The Baye forest Bois de Baye Bois de Baye
  5. La Caure The Caure, north of Champaubert
  6. Les Converts The Converts
  7. Champaubert: the village Champaubert
  8. Champaubert: the Blue House or Cannonball House [48.88093, 3.77617], Napoléon's headquarters in the evening of the battle Headquarters of Napoleon at Champaubert
  9. Champaubert: memorial column Memorial column of the battle of Champaubert
  10. Champaubert: the battlefield between Champaubert and Baye at its south Battlefield near Baye and between Champaubert and Etoges at its east Battlefield towards Etoges
  11. Fromentières Fromentières
  12. The Grande Laye woods The Grande Laye woods
  13. The Grange de Vaux farm Grange de Vaux farm
  14. The Hannoterie farm Hannoterie farm
  15. The Malet woods The Malet woods
  16. Montpertuis: the hamlet Montpertuis
  17. The Petit-Morin creek The Petit-Morin and the bridge over it Bridge over the Petit-Morin
  18. The Potence woods The Potence woods
  19. The swamps of Saint-Gond Swamps of St-Gond Swamps of St-Gond, around the Petit-Morin
  20. Saint-Prix St-Prix
 
 Visited in 2013-2014 

France CHATEAU-THIERRY (12 February 1814)

Château-Thierry is a town on the banks of the river Marne, on the road from Reims to Paris.

The fighting began ten kilometers south-southeast of the city, on the banks of the Dolloir (a tributary of the Marne), in the Viffort-Montfaucon-Les Caquerets area. The Prussians withdrew to the Nesles plateau, around which the confrontation became particularly harsh. Once the plateau had been conquered, the French pursued the Prussians and Russians all along the road leading to Château-Thierry, including in the Faubourg de Marne (island between the river itself and an arm called Fausse-Marne). What remained of the allies managed to reach Château-Thierry, on the right bank, by the only bridge between the suburb and the city, and immediately destroyed the work.

  1. Les Caquerets: the hamlet Les Caquerets, the memorial monument at Napoleon Square Napoleon Square at Les Caquerets and the battlefield Les Caquerets
  2. Château-Thierry: the town Château-Thierry
  3. Château-Thierry: the river Marne The Marne at Château-Thierry and the bridge The bridge over the Marne at Château-Thierry over it, linking the suburb to the city proper
  4. Château-Thierry: the Fausse-Marne The Fausse-Marne at Château-Thierry and the bridge Bridge over the Fausse-Marne at Château-Thierry [49.04085, 3.40448] over it
  5. Château-Thierry: the former Hôtel de la Poste Hôtel de la Poste at Château-Thierry, Napoleon's headquarters the days following the battle
  6. The Dolloir river The Dolloir and a bridge over it Bridge over the Dolloir
  7. Essises: general view of the village and of the battlefield Essises
  8. Les Grandes Noues The Grandes Noues, south of Nesles-le-Château
  9. The Lumeron farm Lumeron farm Lumeron farm that hosted the Emperor in the evening of the battle
  10. Mont-Cel-Enger: the hamlet Mont-Cel-Enger
  11. Montfaucon Montfaucon
  12. The Nesles Heights: the battlefield Nesles Heights
  13. Nesles: the village  Nesles-la-Montagne Nesles-la-Montagne
  14. Nesles: memorial monument Emplacement of the castle of Nesles where stood the castle [which no longer exists], Napoleon's headquarters
  15. Nogentel: battlefield on the heights of the village Nogentel
  16. Norvins: the hamlet Norvins
  17. The Petit-Ballois farm Petit-Ballois farm Petit-Ballois farm
  18. The Petites-Noues The Petites Noues
  19. The Trinité farm Trinité farm
  20. Viffort: the village Viffort Viffort, the church Viffort and the Dolloir creek The Dolloir at Viffort
  21. Southwest Viffort: the bridge over the Dolloir (Route D1) The bridge over the Dolloir at Viffort and the memorial monument to the troops of Marshal Mortier Monument near the bridge over the Dolloir
 
 Visited in 2017 

Portugal CÔA (River) (24 July 1810)

Many thanks to Mrs. Florence Thévenot († 2021) for the photos she provided us to put on the website.

The Côa is a river in northeastern Portugal, a tributary of the Douro, which flows in a south-north direction. Four kilometers from the walled town of Almeida, a three-arched stone bridge [Ponte Grande, or Ponte do Cabeço Negro] crosses this waterway; it is there that the Anglo-Portuguese of General Robert Craufurd confronted the French troops commanded by Marshal Michel Ney. A modern concrete bridge was built in the immediate vicinity, which spoils this superb landscape...

The terrain is very uneven.

  1. The Rio Côa: the banks downstream of the bridge The banks of the river Côa and the bed of the river below the structure The river Côa below the bridge, view 1 The river Côa below the bridge, view 2
  2. A stone cross overlooking the river A cross overlooking the river Côa A stone cross overlooking the river Côa
  3. The road leading to the bridge The road leading to the Ponte Grande over the Côa and the bridge itself The Ponte Grande over the Rio Côa, view 1 The Ponte Grande over the Rio Côa, view 2 The Ponte Grande over the Rio Côa, view 3 [40.70345, -6.93212]
  4. The surrounding battlefield The battlefield surrounding the bridge over the Côa, view 1 The battlefield surrounding the bridge over the Côa, view 2
  5. The – particularly hideous – memorial The memorial...
 Visited in 2013 and 2016 

France CRAONNE (7 March 1814)

This battle took place on the Craonne plateau, about twenty kilometers south of Laon, on either side of the Chemin des Dames, in particular around the Vauclair abbey and the Heurtebise farm. A century later even more deadly battles took place in the same places, the villages of Craonne and Ailles being, due to the "progress" of artillery, wiped off the map, and never rebuilt.

This repetition of horrors and the memory of those who perished there ("Marie-Louise" of 1814 and "poilus" of the WW1) make this plateau and the Chemin des Dames a particularly moving memorial site, as if outside time.

  1. Ailles: the village Chermizy-Ailles and the battlefield around Surroundings of Ailles
  2. The Ange Gardien, western end of the Chemin des Dames The Ange Gardien
  3. The Buisson-Coquin hillock The Buisson-Coquin hillock and view from that place View from the Buisson-Coquin hillock
  4. Corbeny Corbeny, Imperial headquarters in the evening of March 6
  5. The plateau of Craonne The plateau of Craonne seen from the surroundings of Corbeny The plateau of Craonne
  6. Craonne: the battlefield Battlefield near Hurtebise farm at Vauclair between Vauclair and Hurtebise
  7. The Chemin des Dames (literally, the "Ladies' path") The Chemin des Dames
  8. The Heurtebise [Hurtebise] farm The Hurtebise farm The Hurtebise farm and the sunken field Battlefield near the Hurtebise farm
  9. Heurtebise: monument erected after Word War I Monument honoring the French soldiers, near the Hurtebise farm in memory of the "Marie-Louise" (youngest French soldiers in 1814) and the "Poilus" (French soldiers in WW I)
  10. The river Lette [today Ailette] The river Ailette near the plateau of Craonne
  11. Oulches: the village Oulches Oulches Oulches and the battlefield The surroundings of Oulches
  12. Paissy: the church and the cemetery Paissy
  13. Vassogne: the village Vassogne
  14. The Vauclerc [Vauclair] abbey Ruins of the Abbey of Vauclerc
  15. The Vauclerc [Vauclair] forest The Vauclair forest
  16. The heights of Vauclerc [Vauclair] Heights of Vauclair
  17. Vauclerc [Vauclair]: mound Statue of Napoleon at Craonne [49.44001, 3.76455] topped by a statue of Napoleon Statue of Napoleon at Craonne, erected at the place of a former mill from where the Emperor viewed the fights
 
 Visited in 2022 

Germany DRESDEN (26-27 August 1813)

Dresden is a city in Saxony, 190 kilometers south of Berlin, on the river Elbe. Largely destroyed in February 1945 by the Royal Air Force, the historic center has since undergone spectacular reconstruction, particularly since German reunification.

On the other hand, the villages on the battlefield, to the east, south and west of the city, are today suburban neighborhoods, where there is not much left to see. The city's fortifications, for their part, had been demolished in 1815...

  1. Altplauen: the few period houses that still remain Houses at Altplauen
  2. Bannewitz: the castle of Nöthnitz Bannewitz: the castle of Nöthnitz, view 1 Bannewitz: the castle of Nöthnitz, view 2, Allied Headquarters
  3. Dresden: the historical center Dresden: the historical center
  4. Landscapes of the Dresden countryside, south of the metropolis Landscapes towards the Lerchenberg, view 1 Landscapes towards the Lerchenberg, view 2
  5. The river Elbe near Dresden The river Elbe near Dresden, view 1 The river Elbe near Dresden, view 2 The river Elbe near Dresden, view 3
  6. Gittersee: the wood The Gittersee wood
  7. The Grosser Garten ("Great garden") in Gruna The Grosser Garten in Gruna, view 1 The Grosser Garten in Gruna, view 2
  8. Kleinpestitz: the battlefield The battlefield at Kleinpestitz and the Palitzsch estate The Palitzsch estate in Kleinpestitz
  9. Obergorbitz: some houses in the village Obergorbitz
  10. Omsewitz: the Burgstaedtel The Burgstaedtel at Omsewitz, where an old castle was located
  11. Räcknitz: the grave of General Moreau Grave of General Moreau at Räcknitz Epitaph on the grave of General Moreau at Räcknitz [51.02312, 13.73554] and a view of the battlefield from this location View of the battlefield from the grave of General Moreau in Räcknitz
  12. Strehlen: the Kaitzbach stream The Kaitzbach stream at Strehlen
  13. The Weisseritz valley The Weisseritz valley, southwest of Dresden
 
 Visited in 2015 

Germany ECKMÜHL (22 April 1809)

The village of Eggmühl [current spelling] is located twenty-six kilometers south-southeast of Regensburg, in Bavaria. The fighting took place in an area of four to five kilometers around Eckmühl, then, during the Austrian retreat, on the road leading to Regensburg and on either side of it, as far as Alteglofsheim and Köfering.

The terrain, very hilly and wooded, is crossed by the Grosse Laber river.

  1. Alteglofsheim: the castle Alteglofsheim Alteglofsheim Alteglofsheim, where Napoleon spent some hours the night after the battle.
  2. Bad Abbach: general view Bad Abbach
  3. Buchhausen: the village Buchhausen and its surroundings Surroundings of Buchhausen
  4. Eggmühl: the church Church of Eggmühl, the castle Castle of Eggmühl and the inn facing it Inn at Eggmühl
  5. Eggmühl: the Memorial Memorial of Eggmühl, a wide walkway leading to a mound Memorial of Eggmühl where a Bavarian lion statue Memorial monument at Eggmühl Memorial monument at Eggmühl [48.83774, 12.18351] pays tribute to the valiant combatants on both sides
  6. Gailsbach: the village Gailsbach
  7. The Grosse Laber or Grosse Laaber river The Grosse Laaber river The Grosse Laber river, that meanders through the battlefield The Grosse Laber river
  8. Hagelstadt: the church Church of Hagelstadt
  9. Köfering: the village Köfering
  10. The church of Lindach The church of Lindach The church of Lindach, which served as an observatory to the Emperor, and view of the battlefield from that location View of the battlefield from Lindach
  11. Luckenpaint: the village Luckenpaint and the battlefield Battlefield near Luckenpaint
  12. Niederleierndorf: the village Niederleierndorf
  13. Peising: the village Peising Peising and its church Peising
  14. The church of Pfakoffen Church of Pfakoffen Church of Pfakoffen and the battlefield close to the village Battlefield at Pfakoffen
  15. Roking [Rogging]: general view of the village Rogging, the heights Heights of Rogging, and the battlefield Battlefield at Rogging
  16. Schierling: the main street Schierling
  17. Stanglmühle: the hamlet Stanglmühle and the supposed place where Marshal Lannes crossed the Gross Laaber The Gross Laaber at Stanglmühle
  18. Unterdeggenbach: the grave of General Cervoni Grave of General Cervoni, killed during the battle
  19. Unterlaichling: the village Unterlaichling Unterlaichling and the fields between Unterlaichling and Oberlaichling Battlefield around Unterlaichling-Oberlaichling Battlefield around Unterlaichling-Oberlaichling Battlefield around Unterlaichling-Oberlaichling Battlefield around Unterlaichling-Oberlaichling Battlefield around Unterlaichling-Oberlaichling, where bloody fighting took place
  20. Weilhohe: the village Weilhohe and its surroundings Surroundings of Weilhohe
  21. Zaitzkofen: the village Zaitzkofen and its castle Castle of Zaitzkofen
 Visited in 2015 

Germany ELCHINGEN (14 October 1805)

Elchingen [Oberelchingen] is a Bavarian village (bordering Baden-Württemberg) located 8 kilometers north-north-east of Ulm, on the banks of the Danube [Donau]. Built on the hillside, it dominates a meadow, wooded in places, a few hectometers wide, which constitutes the left (north) bank of the river. A bridge [nowadays made of concrete] connects Elchingen to Nersingen, on the other bank. Dominating the village, a Benedictine abbey, then a vast plateau extending north to the small town of Langenau and northwest to the villages of Göttingen and Albeck.

  1. Albeck: the village Albeck, a pond Pond near Albeck and the battlefield Battlefield near Albeck
  2. Elchingen: the abbey Abbey of Elchingen Abbey of Elchingen [48.45246, 10.08719], the plateau Plateau of Elchingen where the abbey stands, and the battlefield Battlefield of Elchingen near the plateau
  3. Elchingen: the current bridge over the river Danube The bridge over the Danube at Elchingen, the river upstream The Danube, upstream of the bridge of Elchingen and downstream The Danube, downstream of the bridge of Elchingen of the bridge, and the outlet of the bridge Outlet of the bridge over the Danube at Elchingen at the left bank
  4. Elchingen: general view from the sunken meadow Elchingen, and several views of the meadow, where fierce fighting took place Meadow at Elchingen Meadow at Elchingen Meadow at Elchingen
  5. Göttingen: the village Goettingen Goettingen
  6. Haslach: view of Oberhaslach Oberhaslach and the woods Oberhaslach facing it ; view of Unterhaslach Unterhaslach and the surrounding woods Unterhaslach Unterhaslach
  7. The ravine of Kesselbronn The ravine of Kesselbronn
  8. Langenau: the town Langenau Langenau
  9. Nerenstetten: the village Nerenstetten
  10. Oberfahlheim [City of Nersingen] : the rectory Rectory of Oberfahlheim, where Napoleon stayed before the battle
  11. Offenhausen [nowadays at Neu-Ulm] : Das Schlössle Das Schlössle at Offenhausen Das Schlössle at Offenhausen, Napoleon's headquarters during the battle
  12. The Roth river The river Roth, tributary of the Danube
 Visited in 2015 

Russia EYLAU (8 February 1807)

The battle of Eylau took place in East Prussia [Ostpreußen], within a radius of around ten kilometers around the town of Preußisch Eylau [present-day Bagrationovsk - Багратионовск ].

This territory remained Prussian, then German, until 1945. The outcome of the Second World War meant that it was captured by the Soviets, who shared it with Poland. All the German inhabitants who had not been killed were expelled, and replaced by Soviets (mainly Russians, but also Ukrainians and Belarusians...) to the north and Poles to the south. The current border runs just south of Bagrationovsk, which means that the battlefield is mostly in Russian territory, with a few villages to the south of the field being in Poland.

  1. Althof [Orechowo]: the hamlet Althof Althof
  2. Althof [Orechowo]: the battlefield Althof, the brook Althof and the woods Althof
  3. Auklappen [Maloje Osjornoje]: headquarters of Levin August von Bennigsen Auklappen Auklappen, the hamlet Auklappen and the battlefield Auklappen
  4. Klein-Sausgarten [Bolschoje-Osjornoje]: memorial cross in memory of the fallen Russian soldiers Cross at Klein-Sausgarten
  5. Kutschitten [Znamenskoje]: views of the battlefield Kutschitten Kutschitten Kutschitten
  6. Lampasch [Nadeschdino]: the entrance to the hamlet Lampasch and the battlefield Lampasch
  7. Place where stood Melohnkeim [Borowoje, a village that no longer exists] Melohnkeim Melohnkeim
  8. Preussisch-Eylau [Bagrationovsk]: general view from the ponds   Bagrationovsk; the former local court, Napoleon's headquarters from February 7 to 17 Headquarters of Napoleon at Eylau Headquarters of Napoleon at Eylau; a typical prussian house Museum of the battle of Eylau Museum of the battle of Eylau, hosting today a little museum dedicated to the battle
  9. Preussisch-Eylau [Bagrationovsk]: the castle   The castle of Eylau, taken on February 7 by the Leval division, and what remains today of the church: the arch of its portal, integrated into an awful factory during the communist era Remains of the church of Eylau
  10. Preussisch-Eylau [Bagrationovsk]: the mound where the French 14th Line Regiment was destroyed Mould where the 14th Line Regiment was destroyed
  11. Preussisch-Eylau [Bagrationovsk]: the ponds surrounding the city Pond at Eylau Pond at Eylau Pond at Eylau
  12. Preussisch-Eylau [Bagrationovsk]: the L'Estocq-Denkmal Prussian monument at Eylau Prussian monument at Eylau [54.37937, 20.65156], memorial monument erected in 1857 by the Prussians in the forest Forest at Eylau southeast of the town, where the french batteries stood; three of its faces honoring Generals Bennigsen Prussian monument at Eylau, L'Estocq Prussian monument at Eylau and Dierike Prussian monument at Eylau
  13. Preussisch-Eylau [Bagrationovsk]: monument to General Bagration Monument to General Bagration at Eylau Monument to General Bagration at Eylau Monument to General Bagration at Eylau, who gave its name to the town when it was renamed by the Russians, and tablet nearby Tablet to General Bagration at Eylau
  14. Preussisch-Eylau [Bagrationovsk]: in the current cemetery, a stone honoring French and Russian soldiers fallen during the battle of Eylau and the 1812 campaign Memorial stone at Bagrationovsk cemetery Memorial stone at Bagrationovsk cemetery Memorial stone at Bagrationovsk cemetery
  15. Schmoditten [Ryabinovka]: the village Schmoditten Schmoditten
  16. The heights of Serpallen [Kaschtanowka, a village that no longer exists, at a few hundred meters from the Polish border] Heights of Serpallen
  17. Place where stood Tenknitten Tenknitten [this village no longer exists]
  18. Ziegelhof Ziegelhof, a plateau southwest of Eylau [on the current Russo-Polish border], where Napoleon bivouacked on 8 and 9 February
  19. Places traversed by the Russians after the battle, during their retreat towards Koenigsberg [Kaliningrad], from south to north:

  20. Mulhausen [Gwardeiskoje] Mulhausen
  21. The Frisching [Prochladnaja] river The Frisching river at Groß Lauth [Newskoje], halfway between Eylau and Königsberg
  22. Wittemberg [Niwenskoje]: the road Wittemberg
 Visited in 2013 and 2016 

Italy FAVORITA (LA-) (16 January 1797)

The Battle of Favorita takes its name from a 17th century villa, located in the plain north-north-east of Mantua [Mantova], separated from the latter by the Lago di Mezzo (a of the three lakes on the Mincio surrounding the historic town).

The villa, built between 1615 and 1624 by the ducal architect Nicolò Sebregondi, was commissioned by Ferdinand de Gonzaga, sixth Duke of Mantua, who planned to transfer the court there. If we compare the current state of the building to the engravings from the Napoleonic era, we see that the two wings and the right part of the main building have disappeared (during a period between 1821 and 1839).

  1. La Favorita: the battlefield La Favorita battlefield, view 1 La Favorita battlefield, view 2 La Favorita battlefield, view 3 La Favorita battlefield, view 4
  2. La Favorita: the villa Villa La Favorita, view 1 Villa La Favorita, view 2 Villa La Favorita, view 3 Villa La Favorita, view 4 Villa La Favorita, view 5 [45.18476, 10.8015]
  3. Mantua, seen from the San Giorgio bridge over the Mincio river Mantua
  4. Mantua: the ducal palace The ducal palace of Mantua, view 1 The ducal palace of Mantua, view 2
  5. Mantua: the Castello di San Giorgio The Castello di San Giorgio at Mantua, view 1 The Castello di San Giorgio at Mantua, view 2
  6. Montata Montata, east of the villa
  7. Sant'Antonio Sant'Antonio, west of the villa
  8. San Giorgio di Mantova San Giorgio di Mantova, east of the battlefield
 
 Visited in 2013 

France FÈRE-CHAMPENOISE (25 March 1814)

Fère-Champenoise is a little town located in Champagne crayeuse ("Chalky Champagne"), between the Marne and Aube valleys, 79 kilometers south of Reims and 76 kilometers north of Troyes.

The battlefield extends to the west, north and east of it, on the right bank of the Vaure river. It has remained rural, except for its eastern part denatured by the installation of the international airport of Vatry.

  1. Allemant Allemant
  2. Aulnay Aulnay
  3. Bannes Bannes
  4. Bergères-les-Vertus Bergères-les-Vertus
  5. Bierges Bierges
  6. Blacy Blacy
  7. Bussy-Lettrée Bucy-Lettrée
  8. Chaintrix-Bierges Chaintrix-Bierges
  9. Chapelaine Chapelaine
  10. Clamanges Clamanges
  11. Connantre: Saint-Caprais church Connantre
  12. Coole Coole
  13. Courdemanges Courdemanges
  14. Dommartin-Lettrée Dommartin-Lettrée
  15. Ecury-le-Repos Ecury-le-Repos
  16. Fère-Champenoise: downtown Fère-Champenoise [48.75495, 3.99060]
  17. Lenharrée Lenharrée
  18. Lettrée Lettrée
  19. Linthes Linthes
  20. Mailly Mailly
  21. Maisons Maisons
  22. Montepreux Montepreux
  23. Morains Morains
  24. Normée Normée
  25. Notre-Dame Notre-Dame
  26. Semoine Semoine
  27. Sommesous: the village Sommesous and the surrounding fields Fields near Sommesous
  28. The creek La Soude La Soude
  29. Soudé-Sainte-Croix Soudé-Sainte-Croix
  30. Trécon Trécon
  31. Vassimont Vassimont
  32. Vatry Vatry
  33. Villeseneux Villeseneux
 Visited in 2015 

Russia FRIEDLAND (14 June 1807)

Friedland [nowadays Pravdinsk - Правдинск] is a town in East Prussia [Ostpreußen], about thirty kilometers east of Preussisch Eylau [Bagrationovsk - Багратионовск]. It suffered the same events as the latter (see above in "Eylau") during World War II, the same exodus of its centuries-old population, the same repopulation under the Stalinist era, becoming in the same way a Russian town in the Kaliningrad Oblast.

  1. The Domerauer woods Domerauer woods
  2. Domnau [Domnovo]: the village Domnau and the monument in memory of the Russian soldiers Monument at Domnau
  3. Friedland [Pravdinsk]: St-George church Church of Friedland Church of Friedland Church of Friedland
  4. Friedland [Pravdinsk]: houses of the Prussian era A street in Friedland
  5. Friedland [Pravdinsk]: headquarters of General Levin August von Bennigsen Russian headquarters at Friedland and those of Napoleon after the battle (under renovation during our visit), seen from the outside Headquarters of Napoleon at Friedland and from the inside Headquarters of Napoleon at Friedland
  6. Friedland [Pravdinsk]: statue of Marshal Kutuzov Monument to Marshal Kutuzov in Friedland Monument to Marshal Kutuzov in Friedland Monument to Marshal Kutuzov in Friedland in the eponymous street (although he has not participated in the campaign in Poland)
  7. Friedland [Pravdinsk]: memorial stele to the Russian soldiers Memorial stele to the Russian soldiers in Friedland and, in the municipal park [Gorodskoï Park], monument to General Mazowski Monument to General Mazowski in Friedland Monument to General Mazowski in Friedland who died during the battle
  8. Friedland [Pravdinsk]: the ponds, north of the city Ponds at the north of Friedland Ponds at the north of Friedland fed by the Mill creek [Pravda]
  9. Friedland [Pravdinsk]: the river Alle [Lava] upstream The Alle at Friedland and downstream The Alle at Friedland of the current bridge Bridge over the Alle at Friedland
  10. Friedland [Pravdinsk]: The battlefield seen from Heinrichsdorf [Rovnoje], northwest of Friedland Battlefield of Friedland and from the north Battlefield of Friedland
  11. The ford of Kloschenen [Lukino] Ford of Kloschenen Ford of Kloschenen Ford of Kloschenen that allowed some of the Russian troops to escape the stranglehold of French, crossing the river Alle, and, nearby, the path to the brickyard (Ziegelei) Ziegelei, where fierce fighting stood
  12. Postehnen [Peredovoje]: the battlefield Battlefield at Postehnen Battlefield at Postehnen and the Mill creek [Pravda] The Mill creek at Postehnen
  13. The Sortlack forest Sortlack forest, seen from Heinrichsdorf [Rovnoje]
  14. After the battle:

  15. Gross-Ottenhagen [Berezowka], through which the Russians retreated: the remains of the church Gross-Ottenhagen and the ponds northeast Gross-Ottenhagen Gross-Ottenhagen Gross-Ottenhagen
  16. Paterswalde [Bolschaja Poljana] Paterswalde where Napoleon installed his HQ on June 16
A view of the Friedland battlefield
A view of the Friedland battlefield
 Visited in 2015 

Poland GOŁYMIN (26 December 1806)

Golymin is a village in Mazovia, Poland, about 80 kilometers northwest of Warsaw [Warszawa], west of Pułtusk. The battlefield extends mainly from the west to the south of the village. It is flat and moderately wooded.

  1. Garnowo, southwest of Golymin: the hamlet Garnowo and the battlefield Battlefield at Garnowo, view 1 Battlefield at Garnowo, view 2
  2. Golymin: the church The church of Golymin [52.80824, 20.87177]
  3. Golymin: the memorial monument Memorial monument at Golymin and its text in french Memorial monument at Golymin
  4. Wadkowo, west of Golymin: the hamlet Wadkowo and the battlefield Battlefield at Wadkowo
 Visited in 2022 

Germany HANAU (30 October 1813)

Hanau is a small town in Hesse located some thirty kilometers east of Frankfurt am Main, in a loop of the Kinzig river, which joins the Main a few kilometers further south. The battlefield, to the northeast and east of Hanau, is very wooded (the Lamboy forest, in particular, having largely been preserved).

  1. Bruchköbel: three views of the village Bruchköbel, view 1 Bruchköbel, view 2 Bruchköbel, view 3
  2. The road to Friedberg The road to Friedberg an the battlefield TBattlefield around the road to Friedberg around it
  3. Hanau: the Deutsche Goldschmiedehaus The Deutsche Goldschmiedehaus, town hall during the battle, and the Neustaedter Rathaus The Neustaedter Rathaus at Hanau [these buildings were reconstructed in the 1950s and 1960s after being largely destroyed by British bombing in March 1945]
  4. Hanau: the current bridge over the Kinzig river, to the west of the historic town The current bridge over the Kinzig river, to the west of Hanau
  5. Hanau: the Herrnmühle The Herrnmühle, view 1 The Herrnmühle, view 2 The Herrnmühle, view 3, where many Austro-Bavarians drowned while trying to escape
  6. The main road from Hanau to Gelnhausen The road from Hanau to Gelnhausen, which follows the same route as at the time although somewhat enlarged...
  7. Woods adjacent to the road from Hanau to Gelnhausen Woods adjacent to the road from Hanau to Gelnhausen, view 1 Woods adjacent to the road from Hanau to Gelnhausen, view 2
  8. Issigheim [Niederissigheim]: two views of the village Niederissigheim, view 1 Niederissigheim, view 2
  9. The Kinsig river, at Hanau The Kinsig river at Hanau, view 1 The Kinsig river at Hanau, view 2 and its surroundings The Kinsig river near Hanau, view 1 The Kinsig river near Hanau, view 2
  10. The Lamboy forest: various views The Lamboy forest, view 1 The Lamboy forest, view 2 The Lamboy forest, view 3 The Lamboy forest, view 4
  11. The Lamboy forest: paths and trails Paths and trails in the Lamboy forest, view 1 Paths and trails in the Lamboy forest, view 2 Paths and trails in the Lamboy forest, view 3 Paths and trails in the Lamboy forest, view 4 Paths and trails in the Lamboy forest, view 5
  12. Lamboy Forest: location of the historic [no longer existing] bridge over the Kinzig river Location of the former Lamboy bridge, view 1 Location of the former Lamboy bridge, view 2 Location of the former Lamboy bridge, view 3 [50.13291, 8.95437]
  13. Langenselbold: the castel of prince Carl Friedrich von Isenburg-Birstein The castle of Langenselbold, view 1 The castle of Langenselbold, view 2, where Napoleon spent the night of October 29 to 30
  14. Neuhoff: location of the former village Location of the former Neuhoff, view 1 Location of the former Neuhoff, view 2 [of which nothing remains, it is nowadays a suburb of Hanau]
  15. Rückingen: a house A house in Rückingen and the church The church of Rückingen
 
 Visited in 2015 

Germany HOHENLINDEN (3 December 1800)

Hohenlinden is a village located 34 kilometers east of Munich [München], in Bavaria. The battlefield lies along the west-east road leading to Maitenbeth and Haag in Oberbayern, as well as to the north of it, between the Isen valley in the east and the road leading to Erding in the west. All this in a moderately hilly but above all very wooded region.

  1. Albaching: general view Albaching
  2. Anzing: the church Anzing and the inn Anzing having hosted General Moreau
  3. Bittlbach: general view of the village Bittlbach, its church Bittlbach and the battlefield Field near Bittlbach
  4. Buch-am-Buchrain: the village Buch-am-Buchrain in a snowstorm
  5. Burgrain: the village and its surroundings Burgrain
  6. Ebersberg: general view Ebersberg
  7. Erding: the Schöner Turm Erding and downtown area Erding
  8. Forstern: the village Forstern
  9. Harthofen: the village Harthofen
  10. Hörlkofen: the church Hörlkofen Hörlkofen
  11. Hohenlinden: the village Hohenlinden Hohenlinden Hohenlinden [48.15675, 11.99831] and the inn which served as headquarters for General Jean-Victor-Marie Moreau Inn at Hohenlinden
  12. Hohenlinden: the memorial monument of the battle Memorial monument at Hohenlinden Memorial monument at Hohenlinden Memorial monument at Hohenlinden
  13. Surroundings of Hohenlinden: the battlefield Battlefield near Hohenlinden Battlefield near Hohenlinden Battlefield near Hohenlinden Battlefield near Hohenlinden Battlefield near Hohenlinden Battlefield near Hohenlinden and woods around Surroundings of Hohenlinden Surroundings of Hohenlinden Surroundings of Hohenlinden Surroundings of Hohenlinden
  14. The river Inn The Inn, tributary of the Danube
  15. Isen: downtown Isen
  16. Kreith: the hamlet and the fields around Kreith
  17. Kreuz: the village and the battlefield Kreuz
  18. Kronacker: Sankt-Johannes church Sankt-Johannes church at Kronacker Sankt-Johannes church at Kronacker
  19. Lengdorf: the village Lengdorf and the river Isen The river Isen at Lengdorf The river Isen at Lengdorf which crosses it
  20. Loipfing: the village Loipfing
  21. Maitenbeth: the village Maitenbeth and the road to Haag The road to Maitenbeth, running through it
  22. Mittbach: the village Mittbach
  23. Mitterbuch: the village Mitterbuch and the battlefield Battlefield at Mitterbuch
  24. Neuharting: the hamlet Neuharting and a field Battlefield at Neuharting
  25. Neustockach: general view of the hamlet and its surroundings Neustockach Neustockach
  26. Niesberg: the battlefield and the village Niesberg
  27. Oberndorf: the village Oberndorf
  28. Parsdorf: the village Parsdorf and the battlefield Battlefield at Parsdorf
  29. Reithofen: the church Reithofen and the inn Reithofen
  30. Sankt-Christoph Sankt-Christoph
  31. Schnaupping: the village Schnaupping
  32. Schützen: the hamlet Schützen
  33. The heights of Tading The heights of Tading
  34. Weiher: the village Weiher
  35. Wetting Wetting, near Forstern
 Visited in 2014 

Austria HOLLABRUNN (16 November 1805)

This battle, which saw the French of Murat pursuing the Russians of Bagration while harassing them, was held along the road that leads from Vienna [Wien] to Znaïm [Znojmo]. It started north of the town of Hollabrunn, in Suttenbrunn, to continue, more and more towards the north, on a relatively flat ground offering little possibility of shelter, except undulations running from west to east: in Schoengrabern, around the Nexenhof farm and the village of Grund then around Guntersdorf, where it ended.

  1. Grund: the village Grund and the battlefield Grund
  2. Guntersdorf: the village Guntersdorf
  3. Hollabrunn: downtown Hollabrunn
  4. The Nexenhof farm The Nexenhof farm The Nexenhof farm [48.61694, 16.07225]
  5. Schöngrabern: the village Schöngrabern, the battlefield around Field near Schöngrabern and the road Road to Znaim at Schöngrabern to Znaïm
  6. Suttenbrunn Suttenbrunn
 Visited in 2017 and 2022 

Germany JENA (14 October 1806)

Many thanks to Mrs. Christiane Deshaies-Da Luz for the photos she provided us to put on the website.

Jena is a city in northern Thuringia, in the Saale valley. The battlefield, which is located northwest of the city, is pretty hilly (hills of Dornberg in the center, Sperlingsberg in the west, Landgrafenberg in the south) and heavily wooded south of the Issestedt-Lützeroda-Closewitz line.

  1. Altengönna: the village Altengönna and the battlefield The battlefield near Altengönna Battlefield near Altengönna
  2. Closewitz: the village Closewitz and the Dornberg The Dornberg near Closewitz, view 1 The Dornberg near Closewitz, view 2, a hill where Napoleon was standing during the battle
  3. Between Closewitz and Lützeroda: the prussian Tauentzien stele Tauentzien stele, view 1 Tauentzien stele, view 2
  4. Cospeda: one of the paths leading up to the village One of the paths leading up to Cospeda, general view View aérienne de Cospeda and the little museum Museum in Cospeda dedicated to the battle
  5. Cospeda: the Landgrafenberg The Landgrafenberg near Cospeda, a hill on top of which The Landgrafenberg with the Napoleonstein at its top a stele named Napoleonstein The Napoleonstein near Cospeda [50.94512, 11.57147] was erected, and views from this strategic location View from the Napoleonstein at Cospeda View from the Napoleonstein near Cospeda
  6. Grossromstedt: the village Grossromstedt, view 1 Grossromstedt, view 2
  7. Hohlstedt: the village Hohlstedt
  8. Jena: the city Jena, view 2 Jena, view 1 seen from the heights where the fighting took place
  9. Isserstedt: the village Isserstedt and a surrounding field A field near Isserstedt
  10. Isserstedt: the forest The Isserstedt forest, view 1 The Isserstedt forest, view 2 The Isserstedt forest, view 3 The Isserstedt forest, view 4, which is nowadays classified
  11. Isserstedt: the Mühlthal The Mühlthal at Isserstedt, a valley south of the battlefield
  12. Isserstedt: the french Desjardins stele Desjardins stele, view 1 Desjardins stele, view 2 and the "Saxon cavalry" stele The Saxon cavalry stele, view 1 The Saxon cavalry stele, view 2
  13. Kappellendorf: the village Kappellendorf, view 1 Kappellendorf, view 2 Kappellendorf, view 3
  14. Kappellendorf: the Soult-Lannes-Augereau stele Soult-Lannes-Augereau stele in Kappellendorf, view 1 Soult-Lannes-Augereau stele in Kappellendorf, view 2 and the Rüchel stele Rüchel stele in Kappellendorf, view 1 Rüchel stele in Kappellendorf, view 2
  15. Kappellendorf: the Sperlingsberg The Sperlingsberg at Kappellendorf and the tower at its summit Tower upon the Sperlingsberg at Kappellendorf, commemorating the fallen fighters of Lieutenant General Rüchel's corps, built from donations and inaugurated on October 14, 1907
  16. Between Kappellendorf and Hohlstedt: the Winkel-Denkmal The Winkel-Denkmal, view 1 The Winkel-Denkmal, view 2, inaugurated in 1906, and its plaque Plaque of the Winkel-Denkmal honoring the Saxon Grenadiers and the 5th and 6th Regiments of Foot
  17. Kleinromstedt: the battlefield and the village Kleinromstedt far off
  18. Krippendorf: the village Krippendorf and the battlefield The battlefield near Krippendorf
  19. Krippendorf: the windmill The windmill of Krippendorf The mill of Krippendorf, north of the village
  20. Krippendorf: the french Soult stele Soult stele at Krippendorf, view 1 Soult stele at Krippendorf, view 2 and the prussian Kollin stele Kollin stele at Krippendorf, view 1 Kollin stele at Krippendorf, view 2
  21. Lehesten: the battlefield The battlefield at Lehesten, the village Lehesten and the church The church of Lehesten
  22. Loebstedt: the Saxons' grave The Saxons' grave at Loebstedt and its plaque Plaque on the Saxons' grave at Loebstedt
  23. Lützeroda: the center of the village Lützeroda
  24. Rödigen: the village Rödigen and the battlefield Rödigen
  25. Rödigen: the Bissing-Denkmal The Bissing-Denkmal at Rödigen, view 1 The Bissing-Denkmal at Rödigen, view 2 The Bissing-Denkmal at Rödigen, view 3
  26. Rödigen: the french Soult stele Soult stele at Rödigen, view 1 Soult stele at Rödigen, view 2 and the prussian Holtzendorff one Holtzendorff stele in Rödigen, view 1 Holtzendorff stele in Rödigen, view 2 Holtzendorff stele in Rödigen, view 3
  27. Vierzehnheiligen: the village Vierzehnheiligen, the church The church of Vierzehnheiligen and the monument to the dead Monument to the dead in Vierzehnheiligen
  28. Vierzehnheiligen: the french Lannes stele Lannes stele in Vierzehnheiligen, view 1 Lannes stele in Vierzehnheiligen, view 2 at the center of the village, and the Ney stele Ney stele near Vierzehnheiligen, view 1 Ney stele near Vierzehnheiligen, view 2 south of it
  29. Vierzehnheiligen: the Eberhardt-Denkmal Eberhardt-Denkmal near Vierzehnheiligen, the prussian Grawert stele Grawert stele in Vierzehnheiligen, view 1 Grawert stele in Vierzehnheiligen, view 2 and the "Prussian cavalry" stele Prussian cavalry stele at Vierzehnheiligen, view 1 Prussian cavalry stele at Vierzehnheiligen, view 2
  30. Surroundings of Vierzehnheiligen: the battlefield south of the village The battlefield south of Vierzehnheiligen and towards Isserstedt The battlefield between Vierzehnheiligen - Isserstedt, view 1 The battlefield between Vierzehnheiligen - Isserstedt, view 2
  31. North of Vierzehnheiligen, towards the Krippendorf mill: the path called "Europaweg" The path named Europaweg near Vierzehnheiligen, planted with cherry trees, which has commemorated friendship between nations since 2010.
 
 Visited in 2022 

Germany KLEINSCHKORLOPP (17 June 1813)

This Saxon village, 20 kilometers southwest of Leipzig, saw the Freikorps of Adolf von Lützow nearly destroyed by the Imperial cavalry. The battlefield, close to that of Lützen (see below), is flat and sparsely wooded.

  1. The Battle Memorial The Battle Memorial at Kleinschkorlopp, view 1 The Battle Memorial at Kleinschkorlopp, view 2 [51.23594, 12.23566]
  2. The battlefield The battlefield of Kleinschkorlopp seen from the Battle Memorial
  3. The monument on the site where the poet Theodor Körner was seriously injured Monument commemorating the poet Theodor Körner, view 1 Monument commemorating the poet Theodor Körner, view 2 [51.23323, 12.22592]
 Visited in 2013 

France LAON (9 and 10 March 1814)

The fortified town of Laon is located on an elongated mound along an east-west axis, dominating by a hundred meters the Picardy plain to the north, and a more hilly area to the south. It was then in the hands of the Prussian and Russian army under the orders of Blücher.

The fighting took place on the 9th in Semilly and Clacy, to the south-west of the city, in Leuilly, to the south, and on the ramp of Ardon, at the foot of it. In the evening, Marmont chased the Prussians from Athies, east of Laon, but during the night the latter surprised the French there during the famous "hurrah", chasing them in the plain and the surrounding woods, then towards the southeast to Festieux. On the 10th, it was again in Clacy and Ardon that the belligerents violently opposed..

  1. Ardon: the village Ardon at the foot of Laon, and its church Ardon
  2. Athies: the main street Athies-sous-Laon
  3. Athies: the mound called "Butte aux Vignes" Butte aux Vignes
  4. Athies: La Mouillée farm fLa Mouillée farm [49.56879, 3.71465] and the battlefield La Mouillée farm
  5. Athies: plain Plaine at Athies between the village and the forest of Lavergny Forest of Lavergny
  6. Bruyères Bruyères
  7. Chavignon : the town Chavignon Chavignon, a field nearby Field near Chavignon and the place where was located the Hôtel St-Pierre Location of the former Hotel St-Pierre at Chavignon, where Napoléon established his HQ in the evening of March 9
  8. Clacy: the village Clacy Clacy Clacy and the church Clacy
  9. Eppes: the castle of Coucy Castle of Coucy at Eppes, where Marmont settled his HQ on March 9 in the evening
  10. Festieux Festieux
  11. The plateau of Laon Laon
  12. Laon: the fortifications Fortifications of Laon and St-Martin church St-Martin church in Laon
  13. Laon: tablet Tablet honoring combatants of the battle of Laon honoring the combatants (© 2011 Cyril Maillet)
  14. Leuilly: the church Leuilly
  15. Sémilly: the main street Sémilly
 
 Visited in 2022 

Germany LEIPZIG (BATTLE OF THE NATIONS) (16-19 October 1813)

Leipzig is a city in Saxony, which had around 32,000 inhabitants during the Napoleonic Wars. The battlefield, very vast and practically flat, surrounds the city (with the exception of the west), most of the villages which gave rise to the fighting being now included in an agglomeration of more than 600,000 inhabitants...

  1. The Colmberg (or Kolmberg) Aerial view of the Colmberg The Colmberg, between Liebertwolkwitz and Seifertshain, and the Apelstein 7 Apelstein 7 at the Colmberg
  2. Connewitz: the battlefield The battlefield at Connewitz
  3. Dölitz : the Torhaus La Torhaus at Dölitz, view 1 La Torhaus at Dölitz, view 2 and the plaque in memory of Marshal Poniatowski Plaque at the Torhaus de Dölitz
  4. Dölitz: the Mühlpleisse The Mühlpleisse at Dölitz
  5. Dösen: the battlefield The battlefield at Dösen, view 1 The battlefield at Dösen, view 2 and the Apelsteine 3 The Apelstein 3 at Dösen and 13 L'Apelstein 13 at Dösen
  6. The Galgenberg, southeast of Leipzig, between Liebertwolkwitz and Markkleeberg The Galgenberg, between Liebertwolkwitz - Markkleeberg Monument on the Galgenberg, between Liebertwolkwitz - Markkleeberg where Napoleon stood on October 16, and views from there View from the Galgenberg, between Liebertwolkwitz - Markkleeberg View from the Galgenberg
  7. Gautzsch: the bell tower The bell tower of Gautzsch
  8. Gohlis: the Schlösschen The Schlösschen at Gohlis
  9. Großpösna: a pond A pond at Großpösna, view 1 A pond at Großpösna, view 2
  10. Güldengossa: the battlefield The battlefield at Güldengossa, view 1 The battlefield at Güldengossa, view 2
  11. Güldengossa: the russian and prussian monument The russian / prussian monument at Güldengossa, view 1 The russian / prussian monument at Güldengossa, view 2 and the Apelstein 2 The Apelstein 2 at Güldengossa which adjoins it
  12. Güldengossa: the village Güldengossa, the church The church of Güldengossa and the manor The manor of Güldengossa
  13. Holzhausen: the austrian monument The austrian monument at Holzhausen
  14. Kleinpösna: the battlefield The battlefield at Kleinpösna
  15. Kleinzchocher: the manor The manor of Kleinzchocher, view 1 The manor of Kleinzchocher, view 2
  16. Leipzig: the river Weiße Elster The river Weiße Elster at Leipzig, view 1 The river Weiße Elster at Leipzig, view 2 which crosses the city, in which Marshal Poniatowski drowned
  17. Leipzig: the monument commemorating the Elster bridge explosion Monument monument commemorating the Elster bridge explosion at Leipzig
  18. Leutzsch: the park The park of Leutzsch, view 1 The park of Leutzsch, view 2 The park of Leutzsch, view 3 [the mansion was demolished in 1970]
  19. Liebertwolkwitz: a street A street of Liebertwolkwitz
  20. Lindenau: Napoleon's HQ on October 19 Napoleon's HQ at Lindenau, its commemorative plaque Napoleon's H.Q. at Lindenau and the nearby Luppe river La Luppe at Lindenau
  21. Lössnig: the austrian monument The austrian monument at Lössnig, view 1 The austrian monument at Lössnig, view 2
  22. Markkleeberg: aerial view Aerial view of de Markkleeberg, the manor The manor at Markkleeberg, the church The church at Markkleeberg and the Apelstein 50 The Apelstein 50 at Markkleeberg
  23. Markkleeberg: the Torhaus The Torhaus at Markkleeberg, view 1 The Torhaus at Markkleeberg, view 2 and its commemorative plaques Commemorative plaque 1 at the Torhaus in Markkleeberg Commemorative plaque 2 at the Torhaus in Markkleeberg Commemorative plaque 3 at the Torhaus in Markkleeberg
  24. Meusdorf: the "Leipzig" monument The Leipzig monument at Meusdorf and the monument to General Schwarzenberg The monument to General Schwarzenberg at Meusdorf, view 1 The monument to General Schwarzenberg at Meusdorf, view 2
  25. Möckern: the Kugeldenkmal ("cannonball monument") The Kugeldenkmal at Möckern
  26. The Monarchenhügel, halfway between Liebertwolkwitz and Probstheida: the site The Monarchenhügel, the monument The monument at the Monarchenhügel and the Apelstein 32 L'Apelstein 32 at the Monarchenhügel
  27. Paunsdorf: the austrian monument The austrian monument at Paunsdorf
  28. Probstheida: the Battle of the Nations monument [Völkerschlachtdenkmal] The Völkerschlachtdenkmal at Probstheida [51.31235, 12.41329] built from 1898 to celebrate the centenary of the battle
  29. Between Probstheida and the Thonberg: the monument named Napoleonstein The Napoleonstein monument at Probstheida The Napoleonstein at Probstheida located at the place from where Napoleon observed and directed the fighting on October 18 [the Quandtsche Tabaksmühle, a windmill destroyed during the battle]
  30. Reudnitz: the Napoleon's H.Q.(then the house of the banker Vetter) before the battle, from October 14 to 16 Napoleon's HQ at Reudnitz, view 1 Napoleon's HQ at Reudnitz, view 2
  31. Schönau: a street A street in Schönau and the church The church of Schönau
  32. Schönefeld: the castle The castle of Schönefeld and the bell tower The bell tower at Schönefeld
  33. Seifertshain: aerial view Seifertshain, the church The church of Seifertshain and the sanitary and medical museum The sanitary / medical museum at Seifertshain
  34. Stötteritz: the manor The manor of Stötteritz and the church The church of Stötteritz
  35. Thonberg: the Günz park The Günz park at Thonberg
  36. Wachau: the mansion The mansion of Wachau, view 1 The mansion of Wachau, view 2 and the plaque commemorating Marshal Murat Plaque commemorating Marshal Murat at the mansion of Wachau
  37. Wachau: the lime tree in the mansion's park The lime tree in the mansion's park in Wachau and the battlefield The battlefield at Wachau
 
 Visited in 2015 and 2019 

Belgium LIGNY (16 June 1815)

Many thanks to Mr. Dominique Timmermans, who made us discover this battlefield in 2015.

The village of Ligny, in Walloon Brabant, is located a dozen kilometers east of the Quatre-Bras crossroads, where Michel Ney confronted the Duke of Wellington on the same day. The battlefield, roughly triangular pointing downwards, is between the road from Nivelles to Namur to the north and the town of Fleurus to the south. It is moderately hilly and wooded, and crossed by a winding stream: the Ligne.

  1. Brye: the village Brye, the Moulin-de-Bussy farm Moulin-de-Bussy farm and the place where the mill was Location where the Bussy mill was [dismantled in the nineteenth century and transferred to Limburg] where Blücher and Wellington devised their strategy at midday
  2. Fleurus: the Château de la Paix ("Castle of the Peace") Château de la Paix in Fleurus Château de la Paix in Fleurus, Napoléon's headquarters in the evening following the battle, and the Emperor's bedroom Château de la Paix in Fleurus where he spent the night of 16 to 17; the Ferme de la Paix (Farm of the Peace) Ferme de la Paix in Fleurus, that adjoins the castle,where were stationed the mounted Chasseurs of the Guard
  3. Fleurus: St. Victor church St-Victor Church in Fleurus, used as a hospital after the fights
  4. Fleurus: the Naveau mill Moulin Naveau at Ligny which served as an observatory to Napoleon, and the monument Monument commémoratif at Fleurus that adjoins it, which commemorates the victories the French vistories of 1690, 1794 and 1815
  5. Fleurus: the Zualart castle Zualart castle at Ligny, Marshal Soult's headquarters
  6. Ligny: the village seen from Prussian batteries Ligny seen from Prussian batteries and panorama of the battlefield from General Gérard's corps Battlefield of Ligny from General Gérard's corps Battlefield of Ligny from General Gérard's corps Battlefield of Ligny from General Gérard's corps Battlefield of Ligny from General Gérard's corps
  7. Ligny: the church The church of Ligny, the En-Haut farm En-Haut farm at Ligny [50.51155, 4.57583] defended by the Prussians, the rectory that was used as ambulance Rectory at Ligny and, between both, the Ruelle du Curé (the Pastor's back street) Ruelle du Curé at Ligny through which the French arrived
  8. Ligny: the En-Bas farm En-Bas farm at Ligny En-Bas farm at Ligny, the last bastion of Prussian resistance, and the street that runs along it En-Bas farm at Ligny [currently: Generals Gérard and Vandamme Street], through which the Prussians retreated
  9. Ligny: location where the former Count of Looz' feodal castle was Location of the former castle of Ligny [already half in ruins in 1815, disappeared in 1844]
  10. Ligny: memorial monument to the Emperor's "grognards" (literally "grumblers") Monument to the French soldiers in Ligny and fortress cannon Memorial fortress cannon in Ligny commemorating the bicentenary of Napoleon's birth
  11. The Carrefour du Point-du-Jour ("The Dawn crossroads") Carrefour du Point-du-Jour, northeast of the battlefield, where the Prussians, in their retirement, have veered towards Gembloux
  12. St-Amand: the village and the battlefield St-Amand St-Amand
  13. St-Amand: the village seen from the Prussian batteries St-Amand seen from the Prussian batteries and from the Brye mill St-Amand seen from the Brye mill ; the church Church of St-Amand
  14. St-Amand: the hamlet of La Haye La Haye at St-Amand and the battlefield Battlefield at La Haye
  15. St-Amand: La Haye farm La Haye farm at St-Amand La Haye farm at St-Amand, where General Jean-Baptiste Girard was mortally wounded, and the memorial tablet La Haye farm at St-Amand
  16. St-Amand: location called "Le Hameau" Le Hameau at St-Amand and the creek "La Ligne" La Ligne creek at St-Amand
  17. Sombreffe: the castle Castle of Sombreffe Castle of Sombreffe, HQ of the Prussian IInd Corps prussien under General Georg Dubislav Ludwig von Pirch
  18. Sombreffe: the current church Church of Sombreffe erected in 1858 in the same place as that having experienced the fights
  19. Sombreffe: the rectory Rectory of Sombreffe and its little peaceful interior: cannonball, a witness of fights Cannonball inside the rectory of Sombreffe and door Door inside the rectory of Sombreffe having suffered the wrath of Blücher and his sword!
  20. The place called "Trois-Burettes" The Trois-Burettes, northeast of the battlefield, and the eponymous crossroads Carrefour of the Trois-Burettes where the former Roman way crosses the Namur road
  21. Wagnelée: the village seen from the Brye mill Wagnelée seen from the Brye mill
 
 Visited in 2012 and 2015 

Italy LODI (10 May 1796)

The Lombard town of Lodi is located 40 kilometers southeast of Milan [Milano], on the right bank of the Adda river, a tributary of the Po. In 1796, it was connected to the left bank by a large wooden bridge: deck 12 meters wide, nearly two hundred meters long.

The Austrians, who held both banks, retreated to the left bank (northeast) shortly after the start of hostilities, intending to blow up the bridge. The French, having become masters of the right bank (southwest), took the bridge by assault and emerged on the left bank. The enemy was then forced to withdraw without delay towards Crema, to the northeast. As a result General Beaumont, at the head of his horsemen, having found a ford further upstream to cross, arrived too late to attack the Austrian right flank.

  1. Pizzighettone Pizzighettone, where General Bonaparte at first thought to cross the river Adda, and the surroundings Surroundings of Zorlesco of Zorlesco Zorlesco, where the first clashes took place
  2. Lodi: the current bridge The current bridge of Lodi [45.31914, 9.50861] over the river Adda, named in 2003 "Bridge Napoleone Bonaparte", built at about 50 meters downstream of the historic bridge [which was destroyed in 1859]
  3. Lodi: the outlet of the current bridge on the left bank Position of the Austrians on the left bank, which was held by the Austrians
  4. Lodi: the river Adda, downstream The Adda river, downstream of the bridge of Lodi and upstream The Adda river, upstream of the bridge of Lodi of the bridge, and further upstream The Adda river, upstream of the bridge of Lodi towards the ford where Beaumont crossed the river
  5. Lodi: the current Piazza della Vittoria Piazza della Vittoria at Lodi (Piazza Maggiore in 1796) and the Palazzo Modignani Headquarters of Napoleon Bonaparte at Lodi where Napoleon Bonaparte settled his headquarters
  6. After the battle :

  7. Fontana Fontana and Tormo Tormo, that the Austrians passed through, during their retreat towards Crema Crema  Crema
  8. The surroundings Surroundings of Crespiatica Surroundings of Crespiatica of Crespiatica Crespiatica, where the French made their cavalry rest after the battle.
 
 Visited in 2022 

Germany LÜTZEN (2 May 1813)

Lützen, 20 kilometers west-southwest of Leipzig, gave its name to this battle (except in Germany where it is called Battle of Großgörschen) although no combat took place there, a bit like in Austerlitz, Jena or Waterloo. The battlefield, which lies south of Lützen, is hilly and has remained rural.

  1. Eisdorf : the church Eisdorf
  2. Großgörschen: the monument to Prince Leopold of Hesse-Homburg, who was killed during the battle The monument to Prince Leopold of Hesse-Homburg in Großgörschen
  3. Großgörschen: the monument to General Scharnhorst, mortally wounded during the battle The monument to General Scharnhorst in Großgörschen, and the Schinkel pyramid (named after the Prussian architect who designed this type of monument) Schinkel pyramid in Großgörschen
  4. Großgörschen: a street of the village A street in Großgörschen and a windmill on the battlefield Windmill on the battlefield near Großgörschen
  5. Großgörschen: the Monarchenhügel Aerial view of the Monarchenhügel, south of Großgörschen The Monarchenhügel, south of Großgörschen [51.19441, 12.18517], two kilometers south of the village, its monument The monument at the Monarchenhügel Plaque upon the monument at the Monarchenhügel and the commemorative stele The stele at the Monarchenhügel
  6. Hohenmölsen: general view Hohenmölsen
  7. Kaja: the house that served as the HQ of Marshal Ney The house that served as the HQ of Marshal Ney in Kaja House that served as the HQ of Marshal Ney in Kaja Garden of the house that served as the HQ of Marshal Ney
  8. Between Kaja and Starsiedel: the battlefield The battlefield between Kaja / Starsiedel
  9. Kleingörschen: the church The church of Kleingörschen
  10. Poserna: the village Poserna
  11. Rahna: some houses in the village Houses in Rahna and a view of the battlefield The battlefield near Rahna
  12. The Rippach stream The Rippach stream
  13. Söhesten: the village Söhesten and the Mühlberg The Mühlberg at Söhesten
  14. Starsiedel: general view Starsiedel, the church The church of Starsiedel and the commemorative monument Commemorative monument in Starsiedel, view 1 Commemorative monument in Starsiedel, view 2
  15. Stöntzsch: the location of the former village Stöntzsch: the location of the former village [destroyed in 1964 for the purpose of open pit mining], the commemorative stone Stöntzsch: commemorative stone on the location of the former village and the nearby Floßgraben stream The Floßgraben stream at Stöntzsch
  16. Werben: the village Werben and the battlefield The battlefield near Werben
 
 Visited in 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2023 

Italy MARENGO (14 June 1800)

Spinetta Marengo is a Lombard municipality located three kilometers southeast of the walled city of Alessandria. Between them flows (towards the northeast) the Bormida river, a tributary of the Tanaro, which itself flows into the Po. From Marengo the road to Tortona departs eastward, which successively crosses the village of San Giuliano Vecchio and the hamlet of Torre Garofoli. South of this road is Cascina Grossa; to the north, Castelceriolo.

This vast theater of operations is rigorously flat.

  1. Alessandria: views of the citadel Citadel of Alessandria The Citadel of Alessandria
  2. The Bormida plain Bormida plain at Marengo and the battlefield Battlefield of Marengo, view 1 Battlefield of Marengo, view 2 Battlefield of Marengo, view 3 Battlefield of Marengo, view 4 Battlefield of Marengo, view 5 around Marengo
  3. The river Bormida The river Bormida, view 1 The river Bormida, view 2 The river Bormida, view 3 and the current bridge which spans it The current bridge over the Bormida, view 1 The current bridge over the Bormida, view 2 [built in 1915]
  4. Cascina Grossa: the battlefield and the village Cascina Grossa, the yard of a farm The yard of a farm at Cascina Grossa
  5. Castelceriolo: the battlefield and the village Castelceriolo
  6. Castelceriolo: the church The church ofe Castelceriolo, a street A street of Castelceriolo, the bell tower and roofs of the town Bell tower and roofs of Castelceriolo
  7. The Fontanone stream The Fontanone stream which winds from south to north across the battlefield
  8. Frugarolo: the church The church of Frugarolo
  9. Napoleon's plane tree Napoleon's plane tree, 400 meters west of Bormida, under which legend has it that the First Consul rested, and its commemorative plaque Plaque at Napoleon's plane tree
  10. The place called Poggi Poggi, a small eminence having served Napoleon as a place of observation
  11. San-Giuliano Vecchio: the village San Giuliano Vecchio, view 1 San Giuliano Vecchio, view 2 San Giuliano Vecchio, view 3
  12. Spinetta Marengo: the church of the Nativity of Mary Church of the Nativity of Mary at Spinetta Marengo and the Teodolinda tower Teodolinda tower at Spinetta Marengo
  13. Spinetta Marengo: memorial column Memorial column at Spinetta Marengo [44.89403, 8.67060] topped by a bronze eagle Memorial column at Marengo erected in 1801 then reinstalled in 1918
  14. Spinetta Marengo: length statue of the First Consul Statue of Napoleon Bonaparte at Spinetta Marengo in front of the Villa Delavo Villa Delavo at Spinetta Marengo, by sculptor Benito Cacciatori, inaugurated in 1847
  15. Spinetta Marengo: the Barbotta farm, north of the village Barbotta farm at Spinetta Marengo and the Teodolinda tower Torre Teodolinda at Spinetta Marengo
  16. Torre Garofoli: the farm Aerial view of Torre Garofoli, Bonaparte's HQ Torre Garofoli farmyard Headquarters of Bonaparte at Torre Garofoli where General Bonaparte settled his headquarters, and the adjacent church Church at Torre Garofoli
A view of the he Marengo battlefield
A view of the he Marengo battlefield
 
 Visited in 2012 and 2016 

Italy MONDOVI (21 April 1796)

The battle of Mondovì begins at Ceva, in Piedmont, then moves west as the Sardinians retreat under French pressure: San Michele Mondovì, then Vicoforte, finally the hilltop village of Mondovì, 25 kilometers east of Cuneo. All this in a tormented relief.

  1. Panorama from the Bric della Guardia, east of Mondovì Bric della Guardia, view 1 Bric della Guardia, view 2 Bric della Guardia, view 3 Bric della Guardia, view 4 Bric della Guardia, view 5 Bric della Guardia, view 6, from where Napoleon Bonaparte studied the places before the battle and at the start of it
  2. The place called Brichetto [or Bricchetto] Brichetto near Vicoforte, view 1 Brichetto near Vicoforte, view 2, an elevation between Vicoforte to the east and Mondovì to the west
  3. Carassone Carassone, one kilometer north of Mondovì, and its church of San Giovanni in Lupazzanio Church of San Giovanni in Lupazzanio in Carassone where General Henri Christian Michel de Stengel rests, mortally wounded during the battle
  4. The Corsaglia river near San Michele Mondovì The Corsaglia river near San Michele, view 1 The Corsaglia river near San Michele, view 2 The Corsaglia river near San Michele, view 3 and the bridge which spans it at the entrance to the village The bridge over the Corsaglia in San Michele
  5. The Ellero River The Ellero River near Mondovì, view 1 The Ellero River near Mondovì, view 2, which bypasses Mondovì from the west and north
  6. Lesegno: the castle The castle of Lesegno Castle of Lesegno, Napoleon Bonaparte's headquarters from April 20 to 23
  7. Mondovi: various views of the village Mondovi seen from the Strada Santa Maria, view 1 Mondovi seen from the Strada Santa Maria, view 2 Mondovi seen from the Strada Santa Maria, view 3 and of the battlefield The battlefield seen from the Strada Santa Maria seen from the Strada Santa Maria at Vicoforte
  8. Mondovì: The Piazza Maggiore The Piazza Maggiore in Mondovì, view 1 The Piazza Maggiore in Mondovì, view 2, some streets in the village Streets of Mondovì, view 1 Streets of Mondovì, view 2 Streets of Mondovì, view 3 and the Carassone Gate The Carassone Gate in Mondovì
  9. San Michele Mondovì: general views of the village San Michele Mondovì, view 1 San Michele Mondovì, view 2 San Michele Mondovì, view 3
  10. San Michele Mondovì: the Bicocca redoubt overlooking the village The Bicocca redoubt at San Michele Mondovì, view 1 The Bicocca redoubt at San Michele Mondovì, view 2 and panorama from its summit Panorama from the Bicocca redoubt at San Michele Mondov
  11. Vico [Vicoforte since 1862]: the main street Vicoforte and the sanctuary Sanctuaire de Vicoforte 1.5 kilometer southeast
  12. Vicoforte, at a place called La Scapita: the Cascina del Vescovo also known as Cascina Monsignore Cascina Monsignore at Vicoforte, view 1 Cascina Monsignore at Vicoforte, view 2 Cascina Monsignore at Vicoforte, view 3 [44.38166, 7.88225] where Bonaparte settled to direct operations, and strategic view from this location View from the Cascina del Vescovo View from the Cascina del Vescovo
 
 Visited in 2012 and 2016 

Italy MONTEBELLO (9 June 1800)

Montebello della Battaglia is a Lombard town in the Po plain, located thirty kilometers south of Pavia and sixty kilometers west of Piacenza.

The battle took place on both sides of the west-east road leading from Tortona to Piacenza, below the village of Montebello and all around that of Casteggio, located one kilometer east. The fight also raged for the gain of the heights located to the south of the two villages, initially held by the Austrians. The latter, defeated, retreated towards Voghera to the west.

  1. Casteggio: the village Casteggio, view 1 Casteggio, view 2 Casteggio, view 3, the Grande Piazza [nowadays Piazza Cavour] Piazza Cavour in Casteggio and some streets The streets of Casteggio, view 1 The streets of Casteggio, view 2 The streets of Casteggio, view 3
  2. The heights of Casteggio The heights of Casteggio, view 1 The heights of Casteggio, view 2 The heights of Casteggio, view 3
  3. The river Coppa The river Coppa and a bridge over it Bridge over the river Coppa
  4. Montebello della Battaglia: the village Montebello della Battaglia, view 1 Montebello della Battaglia, view 2 and the commemorative plaque affixed to the town hall Commemorative plaque affixed to the town hall of Montebello della Battaglia [45.00061, 9.10369]
  5. Montebello della Battaglia: the battlefield Battlefield of Montebello in the plain, and seen from the village Battlefield of Montebello
 
 Visited in 2012, 2014 and 2016 

Italy MONTENOTTE, MILLESIMO, COSSERIA and DEGO (12 to 15 April 1796)

The fighting, inaugurating the first Italian campaign, took place northwest of Savona, in Liguria, successively on April 12, 1796 at Montenotte Superiore, on April 13 at Millesimo and Cosseria, finally on April 14 and 15 at Dego.

In all these places, the terrain is mountainous and heavily wooded.

  1. The river Bormida di Millesimo The river Bormida di Millesimo, view 1 The river Bormida di Millesimo, view 2 The river Bormida di Millesimo, view 3 The river Bormida di Millesimo, view 4
  2. The river Bormida di Pallare The river Bormida di Pallare, view 1 The river Bormida di Pallare, view 2
  3. The pass of Cadibona [Bocchetta di Altare] [44.33426, 8.34913], at 458 meters above sea level Pass of Cadibona, view 1 Pass of Cadibona, view 2 east-southeast of Altare
  4. Cairo Montenotte: overall view Cairo Montenotte, view from Cengio from Cengio, and downton Cairo Montenotte, view 1 Cairo Montenotte, view 2 Cairo Montenotte, view 3
  5. Carcare: overall views Carcare, view 1 Carcare, view 1
  6. Carcare: the bridge over the river Bormida di Pallare Bridge of Carcare and the Casa Ferrero Headquarters of Napoléon Bonaparte at Carcare, Napoléon Bonaparte's headquarters during the operations of Millesimo, Dego and Cosseria
  7. Cosseria: the hill The hill with the Castle of Cosseria, view 1 The hill with the castle of Cosseria, view 2 topped by the castle The hill with the Castle of Cosseria, view 3, the ruins of the castle Ruins of the Castle of Cosseria The ruined tower of the castle of Cosseria and panoramic views from the later Panorama from the castle of Cosseria, view 1 Panorama from the castle of Cosseria, view 2 Panorama from the castle of Cosseria, view 3 Panorama from the castle of Cosseria, view 4 Panorama from the castle of Cosseria, view 5
  8. Dego: the village Dego, view 1, its surroundings Dego, view 2 and the main street The main street of Dego
  9. Dego: the bridge over the river Bormida di Spigno The bridge over the river Bormida in Dego
  10. Dego: views of Cua The hamlet of Cua in Dego, view 1 The hamlet of Cua in Dego, view 2 The hamlet of Cua in Dego, view 3 The hamlet of Cua in Dego, view 4 The castle district in Dego, view 1 The castle district in Dego, view 2, a hamlet overlooking the river Bormida, location of the ancient castle, of which only the ruins of the tower remain Tower of the castle in Dego
  11. Dego: the Magliani Hill The Magliani Hill near Dego, view 1 The Magliani Hill near Dego, view 2, one kilometer northeast of Dego as the crow flies, which was fortified as a redoubt
  12. Millesimo: overall views Millesimo, view 1 Millesimo, view 2 Millesimo, view 3 and the bridge [Ponte della Gaietta] over the river Bormida The bridge over the river Bormida in Millesimo
  13. Millesimo: the castle The castle of Millesimo and some streets A street of Millesimo A street of Millesimo of the city
  14. Millesimo: the Del Carretto family's home [nowadays the town hall]  Headquarters of Napoléon Bonaparte at Millesimo Headquarters of Napoléon Bonaparte at Millesimo [44.36437, 8.20583], Bonaparte's HQ in the evening of April 13, after the battle
  15. Montenotte Inferiore [Ferriera] Montenotte Inferiore
  16. Montenotte Superiore: the battlefield View from Montenotte Superiore A view from Montenotte Superiore View from Montenotte Superiore, which is heavily wooded and hilly
  17. Montenotte Superiore: the commemorative monument "Cippo di Napoleone" Cippo di Napoleone at the place called "Cassinassa" and the nearby plaque Plaque near the Cippo di Napoleone
  18. Montenotte Superiore: the Bric Menau The Bric Menau at Montenotte, in front of the Il Parazzin farm, and views from that location View from Il Parazzin A view from Il Parazzin
  19. Montenotte Superiore: the Monte San Giorgio and the Monte Pra Monte San Giorgio, Monte Pra The Monte San Giorgio, the Monte Pra
  20. Montenotte Superiore: the village Montenotte Superiore [44.38796, 8.40034] and the memorial monument Memorial monument at Montenotte
  21. Montenotte Superiore: the hamlet called Naso di Gatto Naso di Gatto near Montenotte Superiore
  22. Southwest of Montenotte Superiore: the Monte Negino [sometimes called Monte Legino in period documents} The Monte Negino, view 1 The Monte Negino, view 2 Aerial view of the Monte Negino peaking at 704 meters, whose redoubt was heroically defended by colonel Rampon and his men, and views from that location View from the Monte Negino A view from the Monte Negino
 
 Visited in 2012-2013 

France MONTEREAU (18 February 1814)

and preliminary fights of Mormant and Villeneuve-le-Comte

The preliminary combats took place in the plain of Brie, around Mormant, Grandpuits, then heading south to Valjouan, Villeneuve-le-Comte [today Villeneuve-les-Bordes] and Orvilliers.

The decisive battle engulfed Montereau [now Montereau-Fault-Yonne], a town located at the confluence of the rivers Yonne and Seine, and the suburbs overlooking it to the north: Surville (totally distorted in the 1960s and 1970s by the establishment of large complexes designed by architects whose name it is charitable to forget) and Villaron (which became a small suburban area: Les Ormeaux).

  1. The Ancoeur farm Ancoeur farm (combat of Mormant)
  2. Forges Forges
  3. Grandpuits Grandpuits and its surroundings Surroundings of Grandpuits (combat of Mormant)
  4. Montereau: bridges over the river Seine Bridge over the Seine at Montereau and the river Yonne Bridge over the Yonne at Montereau
  5. Montereau: the Saint-Martin priory St-Martin priory
  6. Montereau: plateau of Surville Surville, seen from Montereau
  7. Montereau: general view of the city and the confluent, from the heights of Surville Montereau seen from Surville and the tablet Tablet at Surville [48.39121, 2.96057] commemorating the bravery of the Emperor
  8. Montereau: equestrian statue of Napoleon Equestrian statue of Napoleon Equestrian statue of Napoleon, by Charles Pierre Victor Pajol, located near the confluent
  9. Montereau: statue of General Henri Gatien Bertrand Statue of General Bertrand erected in 2007 on the climb towards Surville
  10. Mormant: downtown Mormant and the road to Nangis On the road to Nangis
  11. Orvilliers Orvilliers
  12. The Les Pleux farm Les Pleux farm (combat of Mormant)
  13. Salins Salins, where Marshal Victor made an untimely halt according to Napoleon
  14. Valjouan Valjouan (combat of Mormant)
  15. Villeneuve-le-Comte [nowadays Villeneuve-les-Bordes] Villeneuve-les-Bordes
 Visited in 2012-2014 

France MONTMIRAIL-MARCHAIS (11 February 1814)

The town of Montmirail is located at the intersection of the northeast-southwest road linking Château-Thierry to Troyes and the east-west road leading from Châlons-en-Champagne to Paris. It was on either side of the latter, to the west of Montmirail, that the fighting took place, in particular in the territory of the commune of Marchais-en-Brie..

  1. The Bailly woods The Bailly woods, where fierce fighting were held
  2. La Chaise farm La Chaise farm
  3. Les Chouteaux farm Les Chouteaux farm
  4. The Courmont farm Courmont farm, the monument commemorating the battles that took place there Monument at the Courmont farm and the battlefield nearby The battlefield near Courmont
  5. The Courmont woods The Courmont woods where several Russian squares were routed
  6. Fontenelle-en-Brie, north of the battlefield: the church Fontenelle-en-Brie
  7. The Grange-en-chart farm The Grange-en-chart farm
  8. The Greneaux farm The Greneaux farm [48.89562, 3.48089], where Napoléon slept after the battle, and small monument commemorating the event Monument at the Greneaux farm
  9. The Haute-Epine: in this hamlet Headquarters impérial at the Haute-Epine Headquarters impérial at the Haute-Epine Napoléon settled his headquarters in the evening following the battle
  10. Marchais-en-Brie: the village Marchais-en-Brie Marchais-en-Brie, that was at the heart of the fighting
  11. Marchais-en-Brie: the church Church of Marchais-en-Brie Church of Marchais-en-Brie
  12. Marchais-en-Brie: the Cour d'Airain farm Cour d'Airain farm at Marchais-en-Brie Cour d'Airain farm at Marchais-en-Brie, at the heart of the battle, and its commemorative tablet Tablet at the Cour d'Airain farm in Marchais-en-Brie
  13. Marchais-en-Brie: the battlefield Battlefield near Marchais-en-Brie and the orientation table Tthe orientation table at Marchais-en-Brie
  14. La Meulière La Meulière
  15. Between Montcoupot and Le Tremblay, by the side of the road to Paris: memorial column Memorial column of the battle of Montmirail Memorial column of the battle of Montmirail erected in 1866 at the location where Napoleon stood during the battle
  16. Montmirail: general view Montmirail and the castle The castle of Montmirail where the Emperor took his breakfast in the morning before the battle
  17. The Plénois farm The Plénois farm, at the right wing of the French positions
  18. The Prelle farm The Prelle farm, between Fontenelle and the road to Paris
  19. Le Tremblay: the hamlet Le Tremblay, where the confrontation was particularly violent, view from it View from Le Tremblay, and memorial column to the Imperial army Memorial column at Le Tremblay
 
 Visited in 2019

Israel MOUNT TABOR (16 April 1799)

Warmest thanks to Mrs. Eva-Elise Grau, who gave us the photo of Mount Tabor that she took in 2012.

  1. The plain of Esdraelon or Jezreel valley [Emek Yizreel] where most of the fighting took place The plain of Esdraelon The plain of Esdraelon, the Mount Moréh
  2. Fouli [Afula]: the rare remains of the village from the time Remains of Fouli
  3. The road Between Fouli / Noures, view 1 Between Fouli / Noures, view 2 and the battlefield Between Fouli / Noures, view 3 Between Fouli / Noures, view 4 Between Fouli / Noures, view 5 between Fouli [Afula] and Noures or Nuris
  4. The Mount Tabor The Mount Tabor, view 1 The Mount Tabor, view 2 The Mount Tabor, view 3 which dominates the battlefield (no combat having taken place on the mountain itself)
  5. Location where the former village of Noures or Nuris was located Location where the village Noures stood, view 1 Location where the village Noures stood, view 2 [destroyed in 1948], southeast of the battlefield
  6. Panorama of the battlefield from the location of Noures or Nuris Panorama of the battlefield from the location of Noures, view 1 Panorama of the battlefield from the location of Noures, view 2 Panorama of the battlefield from the location of Noures, view 3 Panorama of the battlefield from the location of Noures, view 4
  7. After the battle:

  8. The Medjameh bridge [Gesher] The Medjameh Bridge over the Jordan, seen from upstream The Medjameh Bridge over the Jordan, seen from downstream which spans the Jordan river The Jordan River upstream of the Medjameh Bridge The Jordan River downstream of the Medjameh Bridge south of Lake Tiberias The Lake Tiberias, through which some of the surviving Ottomans fled
  9. The Franciscan hospice Casa Nova The Franciscan hospice Casa Nova in Nazareth in Nazareth Nazareth, view 1 Nazareth, view 2 which sheltered generals Bonaparte, Kléber and Junot on the evening of the battle
 Visited in 2018 

Spain OCAÑA (19 November 1809) and preliminary fight of Ontigola

Ocaña is a large town in Castile 65 kilometers south of Madrid and 50 kilometers east of Toledo, which at the time had some 1,000 houses and 5,000 inhabitants.

The battlefield, arid and hilly (especially in the northeast with the Meseta de Ocaña), is crossed from east to west by a stream, named Arroyo de los Yesares.

  1. The stream Arroyo de les Yesares The stream Arroyo de les Yesares and the position of the guard of King Joseph the position of the guard of King Joseph at Ocaña on the right bank
  2. Ocaña: the heights to the northeast of the city The heights of Ocaña, view 1 The heights of Ocaña, view 2 The heights of Ocaña, view 3
  3. Ocaña: the battlefield on the road to Cabaña The battlefield on the road to Cabaña to the northeast and that of Noblejas The battlefield on the road to Noblejas, view 1 Le champ de bataille sur la route de Noblejas, view 2 to the east
  4. Ocaña: general view from the road to Noblejas Ocaña: general view from the road to Noblejas, and battlefield northeast of the city A road northeast of Ocaña
  5. Ocaña: the tower of the San Martin church The tower of the San Martin church in Ocaña [39.96167, -3.49845], the Plaza Mayor Plaza Mayor in Ocaña and some streets downtown The streets of Ocaña, view 1 The streets of Ocaña, view 2
  6. Ontigola: the village Ontigola and its church The church of Ontigola
  7. Ontigola: the battlefield The battlefield near Ontigola, view 1 The battlefield near Ontigola, view 2 The battlefield near Ontigola, view 3 where the cavalries confronted each other on November 18
 
 Visited in 2015 

Poland PUŁTUSK (26 December 1806)

Pułtusk [the crossed out "l" is pronounced like the w in Waterloo...] is a town in Mazovia, Poland, about 70 kilometers north of Warsaw [Warszawa], on the Narew River.

  1. Mosin: the battlefield Battlefield at Mosin and a forest, north of the hamlet Forest near Mosin [the forest southeast of the later, where fierce fighting were held, no longer exists]
  2. Pułtusk: the house Headquarters of Napoléon after the battle of Pultusk where Napoléon settled his HQ in the evening following the battle, at Market Place [Rynek] 29. The City Hall, at the other end of the place City Hall of Pultusk
  3. Pułtusk: the river Narew The river Narew and an arm of the river crossing the city Arm of the river Narew at Pultusk
  4. Pułtusk: the roads to Golymin The road to Golymin at the outlet of Pultusk, to Makow (proximal portion, which is no longer used The road to Makow at the outlet of Pultusk, and its junction with the current road The road to Makow at the outlet of Pultusk), to Nasielsk The road to Nasielsk at the outlet of Pultusk and to Rozan The road to Rozan at the outlet of Pultusk
 Not visited yet 

Egypt PYRAMIDS (21 July 1798)

Many thanks to Mr. Yves Maillet for the photos he provided us to put on the website.

The battlefield, made mainly of sand dunes, was located on the left (west) bank of the Nile [نهر النيل], at 13 kilometers north-northeast of the Pyramids of Giza [مجمع أهرامات الجيزة], all around the fortified village of Embabeh [إمبابة]. Today it is included in the gigantic metropolis of Cairo [القاهرة].

  1. Giza: the pyramids The pyramids of Giza The pyramids of Giza
  2. Giza: the Sphinx The Sphinx of Giza The Sphinx of Giza
  3. The banks of the Nile The banks of the Nile, view 1 The banks of the Nile, view 2 The banks of the Nile, view 3 The banks of the Nile, view 4 such as those which bordered the battlefield at the time
 Visited in 2015 and 2019 

Belgium QUATRE-BRAS (16 June 1815)

Many thanks to Mr. Dominique Timmermans, who made us discover this battlefield in 2015.

The Quatre-Bras, at Baisy-Thy, is a strategic road crossroads in Walloon Brabant, at the intersection of the road from Nivelles to Namur and that from Brussels to Charleroi. The fighting took place mainly on either side of the latter, south of the crossroads.

The land was at the time more wooded than today, forests offered by William I of the Netherlands to the Duke of Wellington following the victory of Waterloo (in particular the Bossu woods, in the heart of the battle) having been shot for profit; many hedges have also disappeared.

  1. Frasnes and the southside of the battlefield Frasnes
  2. The Gémioncourt farm Gémioncourt farm Gémioncourt farm Gémioncourt farm, which saw heavy fighting
  3. The Grand-Pierrepont [Pierpont] farm Grand-Pierrepont farm Grand-Pierrepont farm, a bastion held by the Orange-Nassau regiment
  4. The Monument to the Belgians Monument to Belgians at Quatre-Bras, and the battlefield seen from that location Battlefield of Quatre-Bras
  5. The Monument to the British and Hanovrian troops The Monument to British-Hanovrian troops at Quatre-Bras
  6. The Monument to the Dutch cavalry The monument to the Dutch cavalry at Quatre-Bras Monument to the Dutch cavalry at Quatre-Bras
  7. The Monument to Frederick William, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel Monument to the Duke of Brunswick at Quatre-Bras, erected by the Brunswick State for the 75th anniversary, near the place where he was killed during the battle, and the bronze lion at its top Lion upon the monument to the Duke of Brunswick at Quatre-Bras
  8. The Petit-Pierrepont farm Petit-Pierrepont farm, that the French succeeded in taking, and the battlefield seen from that place Battlefield seen from the Petit-Pierrepont farm
  9. The Quatre-Bras farm The Quatre Bras farm. During our visit in 2015, it was the only period building still standing at the crossroads [50.57142, 4.45326] of the same name, which was held by the allies during the battle. Unfortunately, the money of real estate developers is more powerful than the memorial issue, and it was razed in October 2016...
 Visited in 2022 

Germany REICHENBACH and MARKERSDORF (22 May 1813)

These two Saxon villages are located to the east of the battlefield of Bautzen (this fight constituting the continuation, the day after the victory, in order to pursue the Allies in retreat towards the town of Görlitz and the river Neisse). The battlefield, quite hilly and wooded, is for Napoleon himself the easternmost in the Campaign in Saxony.

  1. The Hoterberg, a hill southeast of the village of Holtendorf, from which the Russian cannonball was fired The Hoterberg, view 1 The Hoterberg, view 2, and the commemorative panel ommemorative panel on the Hoterberg
  2. Markersdorf: the Hanspach farm The Hanspach farm at Markersdorf [51.145733, 14.88115], the room where General Duroc died (in the courtyard, center of the image) The room where General Duroc died at the Hanspach farm and the commemorative plaque Plaque on the wall of the room where General Duroc died
  3. Markersdorf: the field Field at Markersdorf where a square taking of arms was held the next day, in honor of Géraud Christophe Michel Duroc
  4. Markersdorf: the memorial at the place where Duroc was hit The memorial at the place where Duroc was hit The memorial at the place where General Duroc was hit and General Kirgener's grave General Kirgener's grave
  5. Between Reichenbach and Markersdorf: the heights of the battlefield The heights of the battlefield between Reichenbach / Markersdorf, view 1
  6. Reichenbach: the house where Napoleon stayed The house where Napoleon stayed in Reichenbach and the commemorative plaque Plaque on the house where Napoleon stayed in Reichenbach
  7. Reichenbach: the Niederhof The Niederhof at Reichenbach, the place where Napoleon was
  8. Reichenbach: the Töpferberg The Töpferberg at Reichenbach where Duke Eugene of Württemberg stood
  9. East of Reichenbach, on the road to Markersdorf: the medieval bridge The medieval bridge near Reichenbach which was used during the fighting
 Visited in 2012-2013 

France REIMS (13 March 1814)

The violent battles, in which the "Marie-Louise", French conscripts of the classes 1814 and 1815, heroically participated, took place on the left bank of the river Vesle, which waters Reims: first towards Rosnay, then on the heights of Tinqueux, around Mont-Saint-Pierre, finally in the suburbs to the south-east of the city. The Emperor directed the fighting from the top of Sainte-Geneviève hill, still in Tinqueux.

Nowadays, Mont Saint-Pierre is under threat from a sprawling commercial zone, and on Sainte-Geneviève hill we have only 2.5 hectares of a public garden left, sufficient however to arouse emotion in memory. of the sacrifice of these young French people.

  1. Mont-Saint-Pierre Mont Saint-Pierre, view 1 Mont Saint-Pierre, view 2, on the heights of Tinqueux, and its memorial obelisk Obelisk on Mont-Saint-Pierre
  2. Reims: the City Hall City Hall of Reims and the Cathedral The Cathedral of Reims
  3. The Sainte-Geneviève hill The Sainte-Geneviève hill [today Parc de la Cure d'air] [49.24675, 4.00848], from where the Emperor directed the fights and where he bivouacked the evening following the battle. The tablet honoring, there, the fallen "Marie-Louises" (youngest French soldiers) Tablet to the Marie-Louise at Ste-Geneviève hill is unfortunately in a pitiful state, unworthy of the honor due to them.
  4. The river Vesle The river Vesle, between Fismes and Reims.
 Visited in 2022 

Allemagne RIPPACH (WEIßENFELS) (1st May 1813)

Rippach is a Saxon village located six kilometers southeast of Lützen. It was on its heights, on the edge of a small wood, that Marshal Bessières was mortally wounded by a cannonball.

  1. Rippach: aerial view of the village Aerial view of Rippach
  2. Rippach: the battlefield on the road to Weissenfels The battlefield on the road to Weissenfels
  3. Rippach: the inn "Zum Weißen Schwan" ("The White Swan") The inn Zum Weißen Schwan in Rippach where Napoleon and Marshal Bessières spoke for the last time, on the morning of the 1st, and the commemorative plaque Plaque on the inn Zum Weißen Schwan in Rippach
  4. Rippach: the field where Marshal Bessières was mortally wounded The field where Marshal Bessières was mortally wounded and a view from this place View from the field where Marshal Bessières was mortally wounded
  5. Rippach: the stele erected at the place [51.22674, 12.06873] where the marshal was mortally wounded Stele to Marshal Bessières near Rippach, view 1 Stele to Marshal Bessières near Rippach, view 2 and the path by which he was evacuated The path by which Marshal Bessières was evacuated
  6. Rippach: the weaver's house where the marshal was taken in agony The house where the marshal was taken in agony, view 1 The house where the marshal was taken in agony, view 2
 Visited in 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2023 

Italy RIVOLI (14 and 15 January 1797)

Rivoli Veronese is a village in Veneto located east of Lake Garda, 25 kilometers north-northwest of Verona, on the right (west) bank of the Adige River, in a mountainous area.

The battlefield [unfortunately crossed today by the Modena-Brenner highway] is located to the north of the village, from the foothills of Monte Baldo to the banks of the Adige. Some fighting also took place to the south, on Monte Pipolo.

  1. Rivoli Veronese: the village Rivoli Veronese, view 1 Rivoli Veronese, view 2 Rivoli Veronese, view 3 and its church The church of Rivoli Veronese
  2. Rivoli Veronese: the battlefield Battlefield of Rivoli Veronese, view 1 Battlefield of Rivoli Veronese, view 2 Battlefield of Rivoli Veronese, view 3 Battlefield of Rivoli Veronese, view 4 Battlefield of Rivoli Veronese, view 5 between the village and the Monte Baldo
  3. Rivoli Veronese: the memorial monument [45.58098, 10.82115] in 2013 Memorial monument in Rivoli Veronese, view 1 and 2016 Memorial monument in Rivoli Veronese, view 2, which has been erected in 1807 and rebuilt in 1917-1918 Tablet of the memorial monument at Rivoli
  4. The Adige River The Adige River, view 1 The Adige River, view 2 The Adige River, view 3, which meanders Aerial view of the Adige River east of Rivoli
  5. North of Rivoli: Zuane Osteria Zuane Osteria, northwest of Rivoli, the Trambasore Heights The Trambasore Heights, north of Rivoli, view 1 The Trambasore Heights, north of Rivoli, view 2, the valley of Caprino Caprino Veronese, north of Rivoli, San Martino San Martino, view 1 San Martino, view 2 (place of the last fighting on the 15th) then the foothills of Monte Baldo The Monte Baldo, north of Rivoli
  6. North-northeast of Rivoli: the pass of Incanale The pass of Incanale near Rivoli, San Marco San Marco, north of Rivoli [fortified at the end of the 19th century], the Monte Magnone The Monte Magnone, north of Rivoli
  7. Southwest of Rivoli: the hamlet of Tiffaro [Fiffaro] Tiffaro, west of Rivoli, and, further on, the village of Affi Affi
  8. South of Rivoli: the Monte Pipolo Thee Monte Pipolo
  9. The stream Tasso The stream Tasso near Rivoli Veronese, view 1 The stream Tasso near Rivoli Veronese, view 2, which bypasses Rivoli from the west [dry during our visits in summer]
 
 Visited in 2017 

Portugal ROLIÇA (17 August 1808)

Many thanks to Mrs. Florence Thévenot († 2021) for the photos she provided us to put on the website.

Roliça is a village in central Portugal, some 80 kilometers north of Lisbon [Lisboa].

The battlefield is made up of wooded ridges, arranged around the village, in a horseshoe opening to the northeast on a valley leading to the fortified town of Óbidos.

  1. Roliça : the church The church of Roliça The church of Roliça [39.31375, -9.18290] and some streets Main street in Roliça A street in Roliça Roliça: a street in the village
  2. Surroundings of Roliça: hills of the battlefield The Roliça battlefield, view 1 The Roliça battlefield, view 2 The Roliça battlefield, view 3
  3. The valley The Roliça battlefield, view 4 leading to Óbidos Obidos
 Visited in 2012-2013 

France ROTHIÈRE (LA-) (1st February 1814)

La Rothière is a vast battlefield, south of that of Brienne-le-Château, essentially on the right bank of the river Aube (with some Allied overflows on the left bank). It is a plain limited to the north by the road leading from Brienne-la-Vieille to Morvilliers, to the east by the woods and marshes of Soulaines, to the south by Eclance and the Trannes gorge, to the west by the Aube (which several bridges allow you to cross: from north to south, at Brienne-la-Vieille, at Dienville, at Unienville, at Juvanzé and at Trannes). In the center: the village of La Rothière, on the road leading from Brienne to Bar-sur-Aube, flanked to the east by the hamlets of Petit-Mesnil and La Giberie and to the northeast by those of Chaumesnil and La Chaise .

The violent fighting, which resulted in comparable losses on both sides, was followed by an orderly French retreat towards Brienne, to the north, then Lesmont or Rosnay-l'Hôpital.

  1. The Ajou woods Ajou woods near Chaumesnil
  2. The river Aube The river Aube
  3. The forest of Beaulieu Forest of Beaulieu at Petit-Mesnil
  4. The Beauvoir farm The Beauvoir farm near whom Marshal Marmont clashed with the Austrians
  5. Location of the former Beugné farm [which no longer exists] Location of the former Beugné farm
  6. Bossancourt Bossancourt where Blücher's reserve was stationed
  7. Brienne-la-Vieille Brienne-la-Vieille where Marshal Oudinot settled his troops before the battle
  8. La Chaise La Chaise
  9. Chauménil [Chaumesnil] Chaumesnil
  10. Dienville: downtown Dienville and the bridge over the river Aube Bridge of Dienville
  11. Eclance Eclance, at the right wing of the Allied positions
  12. La Gibrie [La Giberie]: the hamlet La Giberie
  13. Juvenzé [Juvanzé] Juvanzé
  14. Lesmont: the wooden hall Hall of Lesmont
  15. Morvilliers: the village Morvilliers and its surroundings Surroundings of Morvilliers
  16. Petit-Ménil [Petit-Mesnil]: the church and the cemetery Petit-Mesnil
  17. La Rothière: the church Church of La Rothière and the memorial monument Memorial monument at La Rothière Memorial monument at La Rothière
  18. La Rothière: the battlefield Surroundings of La Rothière Surroundings of La Rothière
  19. Rosnay-l'Hôpital Rosnay-l'Hôpital where Marshal Marmont had to withdraw behind the river Voire The river Voire
  20. Woods and ponds around the road to Soulaines Pond near the road from La Chaise to Soulaisnes Soulaisnes woods
  21. Trannes Trannes, at the left wing of Blücher's positions
  22. Unienville: the church Unienville and the bridge Bridge of Unienville
 
 Visited in 2016 

Italy ROVERETO (4 September 1796)

Rovereto (sometimes spelled Roveredo at the time, and named Röwern in Germanic language) is a town in Trentino, 25 kilometers south of Trento, east of the northern tip of Lake Garda. Located on the left (east) bank of the Adige, near the confluence with the Leno river, its strategic location is of high importance since it commands access to the valley of this river, which then descends south towards Rivoli Veronese and Verona.

  1. Valley of the Arsa [Vallarsa] : the heights The heights of the Arsa
  2. Calliano Calliano, 8 kilometers northeast of Rovereto
  3. Marco Marco, south of Rovereto, on the left bank of the Adige
  4. Mori, a village south-southeast of Rovereto, on the right bank of the Adige: the main street The main street of Mori and Cameras Creek [now channeled] Cameras creek in Mori
  5. Rovereto: the river Leno and the Castel Veneto Rovereto
  6. Serravalle Serravalle, south of Marco
 
 Visited in 2017 

Spain SALAMANCA (22 July 1812)

Many thanks to Mrs. Florence Thévenot († 2021) for the photos she provided us to put on the website.

The Battle of Salamanca is called Battle of the Arapiles by the French. The fighting took place a few kilometers southeast of the city (capital of the province of the same name, located today in the southwest of the region of Castile and León).

The battlefield is an arid plain, to the east of the village of Arapiles, overlooked by several hills, in particular the Arapil Chico to the north, the Arapil Grande to the south, the peak of Miranda and the Teso de Aldeatejada to the west, and a little hermitage called Nuestra Señora de la Peña to the east, near the village of Calvarrasa de Arriba. The retreat of the French will be towards Alba de Tormes, to the south-east, then Garcihernandez.

  1. The two Arapiles The Petit Arapile ale Grand Arapile, seen from the road [40.89336, -5.62536] separating them
  2. The Arapil Chico The Arapil Chico, view 1 The Arapil Chico, view 2 The Arapil Chico, view 3 The Arapil Chico, view 4
  3. The Arapil Grande The Arapil Grande, view 1 The Arapil Grande, view 2 The Arapil Grande, view 3 and the commemorative monument upon it Monument upon The Arapil Grande
  4. The village called Arapiles Arapiles Arapiles A street at Arapiles, its church The church of Arapiles, the commemorative plaque Commemorative plaque at Arapiles and the battlefield around Battlefield around Arapiles
  5. Calvarrasa de Arriba: the church Calvarrasa de Arriba and the battlefield The battlefield near Calvarrasa de Arriba Battlefield near Calvarrasa de Arriba southwest from the village
  6. Miranda de Azán: the village Miranda de Azán, the Miranda Peak The Miranda Peak, view 1 The Miranda Peak, view 2 nearby, the commemorative plaque Commemorative plaque in front of the Miranda Peak and the battlefield around Battlefield around Miranda de Azán, view 1 Battlefield around Miranda de Azán, view 2 Battlefield around Miranda de Azán, view 3
  7. Nuestra Señora de la Peña: the chapel Nuestra Señora de la Peña, view 1 Nuestra Señora de la Peña, view 2 Nuestra Señora de la Peña, view 3 Nuestra Señora de la Peña, view 4 located on a rocky outcrop Nuestra Señora de la Peña where was the artillery under the command of General Foy, the commemorative plaque Commemorative plaque at Nuestra Señora de la Peña and the panorama Panorama from Nuestra Señora de la Peña, view 1 Panorama from Nuestra Señora de la Peña, view 2 from this strategic point
  8. The Teso de Aldeatejada Teso de Aldeatejada, view 1 Teso de Aldeatejada, view 2
  9. The Teso de San Miguel Teso de San Miguel, observation post of General Wellesley (then Earl of Wellington)
  10. The Testón de la Cabaña  Testón de la Cabaña, view 1 Testón de la Cabaña, view 2
  11. Las Torres: the church Las Torres and the commemorative plaque Commemorative plaque at Las Torres
  12. After the battle:

  13. Alba de Tormes: general view of the city Alba de Tormes, the bridge Thebridge of Alba de Tormes, the river Tormes The river Tormes at Alba de Tormes, the fort overlooking the city The fort of Alba de Tormes The fort at Alba de Tormes
  14. Garcia-Hernandez [Garcihernández] The church of Garcihernandez Garcihernandez: the church, further east.
The Salamanca battlefield
The Salamanca battlefield
 
 Visited in 2016 

Spain SOMOSIERRA (30 November 1808)

The Somosierra pass, culminating at 1438 meters, is one of the rare passages allowing you to reach Madrid from the north (Burgos), through the Sierra de Guadarrama. The road which leads there, oriented north-south, was at the time moderately winding [much less today, having benefited from widenings and rectifications in the 20th century, due to its status as a national road].

The battlefield consists of the road itself and its sides, all on average about thirty meters wide, over its last two kilometers. On the right (west), slightly below, a stream named El Duratón; on the left (east), the slopes of Peña Cebollera. The road is currently unused (except for access to plots of land), since a highway overlooks it to the west (participating, with many high-voltage line pylons and a railway line, in the visual distortion of the site)...

  1. The Sierra de Ayllón Sierra de Ayllón, view 1 Sierra de Ayllón, view 2, east of the pass
  2. The Duratón Rio Duratón, view 1 Rio Duratón, view 2 Rio Duratón, view 3, which flows along the road leading to the pass
  3. Somosierra: the road leading to the pass, seen from the French positions as the Polish cavalry advances towards the pass The road leading to the pass, view 1 The road leading to the pass, view 2 The road leading to the pass, view 3 The road leading to the pass, view 4, and from the Spanish positions at the top of the pass The road leading to the pass, view 5
  4. Somosierra: the chapel Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Chapel Nuestra Señora de la Soledad built at the top of the pass in the first half of the 17th century, its commemorative plaques recalling the bravery of General Benito de San Juan Plaques at the chapel Nuestra Señora de la Soledad and that of the Polish horsemen Chapel Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, and its stained glass window Stained glass window in the chapel Nuestra Señora de la Soledad offered by the Polish authorities
  5. Somosierra: the parish church Nuestra Señora de las Nieves The church of Somosierra [consecrated in 1703, it suffered heavy damage during the battle], and the pass [41.13496, -3.58095] seen from the south The pass of Somosierra.
 
 Visited in 2015 

Germany ULM (17 October 1805)

It was more of a siege of the city than a proper battle, although heavy fighting took place. The strategic points were located to the north of the city (Michelsberg and Frauensberg hills)

  1. Pfaffenhofen: the Aussere inn Aussere Inn where Napoléon stayed
  2. Ulm: general view of the old town Ulm Ulm and the Cathedral (Münster) [48.39851, 9.99149] Ulmer Münster
  3. Ulm: the Michaelsberg The Michaelsberg at Ulm and the Frauenberg The Frauenberg at Ulm The Frauenberg at Ulm, overlooking the city at the north side
 Visited in 2023 

Italy VALVASONE (Tagliamento crossing) (16 March 1797)

The battlefield includes the two banks of the Tagliamento, a wide but shallow river at this location, as well as the plain on the left bank, to the east of the river, with its villages which were taken one by one by the French.

  1. Biauzzo (left bank of the Tagliamento): aerial view Aerial view of Biauzzo
  2. Camino (left bank): aerial view of the village Aerial view of Camino and the surrounding battlefield Aerial view of the surroundings of Camino
  3. Gorizzo (left bank): aerial view Aerial view of Gorizzo
  4. Gradisca (left bank): aerial view Aerial view of Gradisca
  5. Pozzo (left bank): the main street and the church Pozzo
  6. Rivis (left bank): aerial view Aerial view of Rivis
  7. The Tagliamento River: the right bank (west) The right bank of the Tagliamento, view 1 The right bank of the Tagliamento, view 2 The right bank of the Tagliamento, view 3 where the French arrived, the place [around 45.98692, 12.91019] where they forded The Tagliamento, and the left bank (east) The left bank of the Tagliamento, view 1 The left bank of the Tagliamento, view 2 The left bank of the Tagliamento, view 3 The left bank of the Tagliamento, view 4 The left bank of the Tagliamento, view 5 where they overthrew the Austrians
  8. Turrida (left bank): aerial view Aerial view of Turrida
  9. After the battle :

  10. Valvasone: the "palace" of Count Eugenio Palace of Count Eugenio in Valvasone [45.99613, 12.86428], General Bonaparte's headquarters, the castle The castle of Valvasone just opposite, and its little theater The little theater in the castle of Valvasone where Napoleon attended a performance.
 Visited in 2012-2013 

France VAUCHAMPS (14 February 1814)

The village of Vauchamps is located east of Montmirail, on the road which leads to Champaubert, Etoges and Châlons-en-Champagne.

The fighting took place in the streets of Vauchamps itself, then in the woods of Echelle and Hautefeuille, to the north of the latter, finally in Serrechamps, Janvilliers and Fromentières, to the east-northeast.

The later pursuit of the Prussians by the French took place as far as Champaubert and Etoges, even further to the east.

  1. The forest of Beaumont Forest of Beaumont, southwest of Vauchamps
  2. L'Échelle woods L'Échelle woods
  3. Fromentières Fromentières, through which the Prussiens retreated towards Champaubert
  4. Janvilliers Janvilliers, where several Prussian squares were taken while retreating
  5. Serrechamp [Sarrechamps] Sarrechamps
  6. Vauchamps: the village Vauchamps and the memorial column [48.88122, 3.61538] Memorial column at Vauchamps
  7. Vauchamps: the battlefield Surroundings of Vauchamps
 
 Visited in 2017 

Portugal VIMEIRO (20 August 1808)

Many thanks to Mrs. Florence Thévenot († 2021) for the photos she provided us to put on the website.

Vimeiro [sometimes shown as "Vimiera" or "Vimeira" in British period texts} is a small town in central Portugal, about a hundred kilometers north of Lisbon [Lisboa].

The battlefield is hilly and moderately wooded.

  1. Vimeiro: the parish São Miguel church The parish São Miguel church in Vimeiro
  2. Vimeiro: the commemorative monument The commemorative monument in Vimeiro, view 1 The commemorative monument in Vimeiro, view 2 The commemorative monument in Vimeiro, view 3 [39.17623, -9.31594] erected on the eastern slope of the town for the centenary of the battle, and the text Monument commémoratif à Vimeiro, texte in memory of the liberators
  3. Vimeiro: a series of six magnificent azulejo paintings on the square, respectively illustrating the landing of the Anstruther brigade on August 18, 1808 First azulejo painting in Vimeiro, that of the Ackland brigade on the 20th Second azulejo painting in Vimeiro, the first two French attacks Third azulejo painting in Vimeiro, the defense of the church during the third attack Fourth azulejo painting in Vimeiro, the fourth and fifth French attacks Fifth azulejo painting in Vimeiro and General Wellesley's HQ Sixth azulejo painting in Vimeiro
  4. Vimeiro: a map of the battle in azulejos Azulejo map of the battle of Vimeiro near the monument
  5. Vimeiro: the statue of an English soldier Statue of an English soldier in Vimeiro
  6. The battlefield Vimeiro: the battlefield, view 1 Vimeiro: the battlefield, view 2 seen from the town.
 Visited in 2013 

Spain VITORIA (21 June 1813)

The city of Vitoria [Gasteiz], in the Spanish Basque Country, is located at the crossroads of several strategic routes in this mountainous country: to the southwest towards Burgos and Madrid, to the northwest towards Bilbao, to the northeast towards San Sebastian [Donostia] and to the east towards Pamplona, the latter two leading to France.

The battlefield is a basin surrounded by mountains, twenty kilometers by ten. The fighting began to the southwest and west of the city, on both sides of the Zadorra River, a tributary of the Ebro. As the French withdrew, they continued north of the city and into it. Later, the stampede of French troops took place in disorder towards Pamplona, to the east.

  1. Abechuco [Abetxuko] Abechuco, conquered in the early afternoon by General Graham
  2. Aranguis Aranguis, on the road to Bilbao, which was held by General Reille
  3. Arbulo Arbulo, on the road to Pamplona, which saw the French disordered retreat
  4. Ariñiz Ariñiz, 8 kilometers west of Vitoria, and the surrounding hills Ariñiz hills
  5. Armentia Armentia, where were stationed two French divisions
  6. Arriaga: the church Arriaga
  7. Betono Betono, where the French Army of Portugal stopped the enemy's left wing for a while
  8. Durana: the village Durana
  9. Gamarra Mayor Gamarra Mayor, conquered towards 1 PM by General Graham
  10. Gamarra Menor: the hamlet Gamarra Menor and its church Church of Gamarra Menor
  11. Gomercha [Gometxa] Gomercha and its surroundings Surroundings of Gomercha, left wing of General Drouet d'Erlon's corps
  12. Jundiz Jundiz
  13. Margarita Margarita, right wing of General Drouet's corps
  14. The surroundings of Mendiguren Surroundings of Mendiguren Surroundings of Mendiguren
  15. Puebla Puebla Arganzon, outpost of the French army
  16. Subijana de Alava Subijana de Alava, conquered by General Hill towards 8 AM
  17. Villodas: the village Villodas and its bridge Bridge of Villodas, right end of the French positions
  18. Vitoria-Gasteiz: Plaza de la Virgen Blanca Plaza de la Virgen Blanca in Vitoria, and its memorial monument Memorial monument in Vitoria [42.84653, -2.67331] celebrating the victory of General Wellington's troops
  19. The river Zadorra River Zadorra
  20. Zuazo: the village Zuazo
 Visited in 2014 

Austria WAGRAM (5 and 6 July 1809)

The battlefield is located immediately north of that of Aspern-Essling, in the Marchfeld plain. It is limited to the west by the heights of Gerasdorf; to the north by a stream, the Russbach, whose bed forms a hollow one to two meters deep and whose north bank, after a narrow terrace, continues with an escarpment a few meters high: the Wagram plateau; to the east by the village of Glinzendorf.

  1. Aderklaa: the village Aderklaa Aderklaa, where fierce street fights happened
  2. Aderklaa: the battlefield around Battlefield near Aderklaa Battlefield near Aderklaa Battlefield near Aderklaa
  3. Aderklaa: chapel Chapel at Aderklaa Chapel at Aderklaa, view 2 in memory of fallen soldiers, and column Memorial column in Aderklaa which celebrates the Saxons under General Bernadotte
  4. Baumersdorf [nowadays Parbarsdorf] Parbasdorf, where General Oudinot failed on July 5 in front of General Hardegg's heroic resistance
  5. Bockfliess: the village Bockfliess
  6. The river Danube [Die Donau] The Danube, seen from the right bank The river Danube The river Danube at Nüssdorf
  7. Gerasdorf: the village Gerasdorf and the heights Heights of Gerasdorf overlooking it, west end of the battlefield
  8. Glinzendorf: the village Glinzendorf, at the right wing of French positions, was held by Marshal Davout
  9. Groshofen Grosshofen, right wing of French positions on July 6
  10. Gross Engersdorf Gross Engersdorf, north of Wagram, served as an ammunition park for the Austrians
  11. Gross Enzersdorf Gross Enzersdorf, left wing of French positions on July 6
  12. The Marchfeld plain The Marchfeld plain The Marchfeld plain
  13. Markgrafneusiedl: the tower Markgrafneusiedl, overlooking the village
  14. Pillichsdorf: the village Pillichsdorf, north of Wagram, and the mound Headquarters of Francis I. near Pillischdorf upon whom Emperor Francis I. attended the battle
  15. Raschdorf [Raasdorf]: Napoleon's headquarters Headquarters of Napoleon near Raasdorf during the battle
  16. The Russbach creek The Russbach creek The Russbach creek The Russbach creek
  17. Süssenbrunn Süssenbrunn, that General Oudinot attacked on July 6, at the head of a huge square of 8,000 men
  18. Ulrichskirchen: the castle Ulrichskirchen, which served as a campaign hospital
  19. The plateau of Wagram Plateau of Wagram, taken by Marshals Davout and Macdonald on July 6
  20. Wagram [Deutsch-Wagram]: the church Wagram and the memorial monument Memorial monument in Wagram
  21. Wagram [Deutsch-Wagram]: the headquarters of Archduke Charles Headquarters of Archduke Charles in Wagram
  22. Wolkersdorf: the castle Castle of Wolkersdorf where stayed Emperor Francis before the battle
 Visited in 2013, 2015 and 2019 

Belgium WATERLOO (18 June 1815)

The battlefield of Waterloo (which is located mainly in the town of Braine l'Alleud) is, to our knowledge, the only one that is protected, with perhaps that of the Pyramids of Giza, but for them it is probably not for reasons of Napoleonic memory.

It has a roughly rectangular shape, on either side of the north-south Brussels-Charleroi road axis, with Mont-Saint-Jean to the north, Papelotte and Frichermont to the east, Belle-Alliance and Plancenoit to the south, the suburbs of Braine l'Alleud to the west. In the center: the Haie-Sainte farm, and a few hectometers to its southwest that of Hougoumont.

Contrary to Victor Hugo's famous verse in L'expiation, the terrain is not a "morne plaine" ("dreary plain"), but, as he describes it two verses later, a "cirque de bois, de coteaux, de vallons" ("cirque of woods, hillsides, valleys"). These undulations also had an importance in the course of the battle: camouflage of troops in hollows, difficulties in moving artillery on muddy and slippery terrain...

  1. The Belle Alliance farm The Belle-Alliance farm, where Wellington and Blücher met after the battle
  2. Braine l'Alleud: Saint-Etienne church Braine l'Alleud, having served as a campaign hospital
  3. The Lion's Mound [50.67846, 4.40484] The Lion's Mound on the battlefield of Waterloo Lion's Mound at Waterloo, topped by a cast-iron lion looking towards France Lion's Mound at Waterloo, erected by the Dutch ten years after the battle
  4. The battlefield seen from the summit of the Lion's Mound Battlefield seen from the summit of the Lion's Mound Battlefield seen from the summit of the Lion's Mound Battlefield seen from the summit of the Lion's Mound Battlefield seen from the summit of the Lion's Mound
  5. The Chantelet farm The Chantelet farm The Chantelet farm, Marshal Ney's HQ during the night from 17 to 18
  6. The De Coster house The De Coster house. De Coster was Napoleon's local guide, and his house hosted the Emperor during Marshal Ney's cavalry charges
  7. Genappe: the street Genappe through which the French retreated in disorder, and the little bridge Bridge over the river Dyle at Genappe over the river Dyle The river Dyle at Genappe, where Napoleon had to leave his berline
  8. Genappe: the church Genappe and the grave of General Duhesme Grave of General Duhesme
  9. La Haye-Sainte farm [50.67804, 4.41196], seen from the road to Charleroi La Haye Sainte farm and from the summit of the Lion's Mound La Haye Sainte farm, and the field in front of it Field near La Haie-Sainte farm
  10. Hougoumont farm [50.67067, 4.394478]: south side Hougoumont farm, west side Hougoumont farm and inner courtyard Hougoumont farm Hougoumont farm Hougoumont farm Hougoumont farm Hougoumont farm
  11. Hougoumont farm: the English memorial monument English memorial monument at Hougoumont farm
  12. Mont-Saint-Jean farm Mont-Saint-Jean farm
  13. Memorial monuments: "The wounded Eagle" Monument known as The wounded Eagle Monument known as The wounded Eagle in memory of the "Last Square" of the Imperial troops, the Monument to the Belgians Monument to the Belgians Monument to the Belgians, the Monument to the Hanovrians Monument to the Hanovrians, and the Victor Hugo column Victor Hugo column
  14. Papelotte farm Papelotte farm Papelotte farm, east of the battlefield
  15. Plancenoit: the village Plancenoit and the battlefield Field north of Plancenoit north of it
  16. Plancenoit: crest Location of the French great battery upon which Napoléon set up a great artillery battery
  17. Location of former Rossomme farm Location of former Rossomme farm [which no longer exists] and a mound Mound near the farm of Rossomme nearby, which served as an observation point to Napoleon on June 18 in the morning
  18. The Soignes forest, northeast of Waterloo Soignes forest
  19. Vieux-Genappe: the Caillou farm The Caillou farm, Napoléon's headquarters the day before the battle, and bronze statue of the Emperor Statue of Napoléon at the Caillou farm erected in 2002 in the adjacent garden
  20. Walhain: Marette farm Marette farm in Walhain Marette farm in Walhain Marette farm in Walhain where Marshal Grouchy, guest of the notary Höllert, heard the canonnade of the battle while savoring succulent Brabant strawberries Brabant strawberries
  21. Waterloo: Wellington's headquarters Headquarters of Wellington in Waterloo; that city gave its name to the battle, although none fight occured there!
The Waterloo battlefield
The battlefield of Waterloo, seen from the top of the Lion's Mound
 
 Visited in 2015 and 2019 

Belgium WAVRE (18 and 19 June 1815)

Many thanks to Mr. Dominique Timmermans, who made us discover this battlefield in 2015.

Wavre is a small town in Walloon Brabant, on the river Dyle, 27 kilometers southeast of Brussels, and above all, historically speaking, 17 kilometers east of the Waterloo battlefield.

The bulk of the fighting took place in the town and on both banks of the Dyle, heading southwest to Bierges and Limal.

  1. Bawette castle Bawette castle, north-northwest of Wavre, where stayed the Third Prussian Corps under Johann Adolf von Thielmann before the battle, and where Marshal Grouchy settled himself, the time to learn the news of the defeat of Waterloo and to decide to retreat
  2. Bierges: the mill The mill of Bierges, view 1 The mill of Bierges, view 2 and the monument to General Gérard Monument to General Gérard near Bierges, who was wounded near that place
  3. La Bourse farm La Bourse farm near Bierges La Bourse farm near Bierges La Bourse farm near Bierges, southwest of Bierges
  4. The river Dyle The Dyle at Bierges in Bierges
  5. Wavre: the Rue du Commerce, leading to Saint-Jean-Baptiste church Wavre, which still bears today stigmates of the fights, and the City Hall (Couvent des Carmes Chaussés until 1797) City Hall of Wavre
  6. Wavre: the Christ bridge The Christ bridge in Wavre [50.71476, 4.61057], having been subject to no less than thirteen assaults, the Christ whose side was perforated... by a projectile Christ of the bridge of Wavre and the memorial tablet Tablet on the Christ bridge in Wavre on the bridge
 Visited in 2014 

Czech Republic ZNAIM (10 and 11 July 1809)

Znaim [today Znojmo] is a Moravian town 75 kilometers north-northwest of Vienna [Wien], on the Thaya River. The fighting took place to the north, east and south of the town.

  1. Dobschitz Dobschitz
  2. Oblekovice Oblekovice
  3. The river Thaya The Thaya
  4. Znaim [Znojmo]: downtown Znaim and the bridge over the river Thaya The bridge over the river Thaya in Znojmo
  5. Znaim [Znojmo]: the Louka convent Louka convent in Znojmo
  6. The plateau of Zuckerhandl [Suchohrdly] Plateau of Zuckerhandl
  7. Zuckerhandl [Suchohrdly]: the cemetery Cemetery of Zuckerhandl

Photo credits

 Photo by Lionel A. Bouchon Photos by Lionel A. Bouchon.
 Photo by Marie-Albe Grau Photos by Marie-Albe Grau.
 Photo by Floriane Grau Photos by Floriane Grau.
 Photo by Michèle Grau-Ghelardi Photos by Michèle Grau-Ghelardi.
 Photo by Didier Grau Photos by Didier Grau.
 Photo by author outside the Napoleon & Empire association Photos by people outside the Napoleon & Empire association.

Video credits

The shots are by Didier Grau, the editing by Lionel A. Bouchon.