Battles & Campaigns · 1870
Battle of Coulmiers
Coulmiers, Loiret, France
What happened
About 70,000 French troops faced about 20,000 Bavarians near Orléans. French artillery fired shells into the Bavarian camp, causing panic, and French infantry charged. The Bavarians retreated in disorder.
Why it matters
It was one of very few French victories in the Franco-Prussian War. The news excited besieged Paris and led to a major attempt to break out of the city.
What came next
D'Aurelle stopped in Orléans to rest his poorly supplied troops instead of marching on, and German reinforcements later retook the city.
Did you know?
The French shells exploded on impact, which helped cause the panic in the Bavarian camp.
Timeline
- 1–2 Sep 1870French defeat at Sedan.
- 9 Nov 1870Battle of Coulmiers.
- 2 Dec 1870Battle of Loigny–Poupry; the Germans move on Orléans.