Battles & Campaigns · 1814
Battle of Fère-Champenoise
Fère-Champenoise, Marne, France
What happened
Marmont and Mortier were marching to join Napoleon when they ran into the main Allied armies. As they withdrew, a sudden rainstorm soaked their muskets, and the Allies' large cavalry force broke them. A separate French force of National Guards was surrounded and largely destroyed.
Why it matters
Why it matters: With Marmont's and Mortier's corps badly weakened, the Allied capture of Paris became almost certain.
What came next
Paris surrendered on 31 March 1814, and Napoleon abdicated in April.
Did you know?
A village in Russia, Fershampenuaz, is named after this battle.
Timeline
- 27 February 1814Battle of Bar-sur-Aube.
- 25 March 1814Battle of Fère-Champenoise.
- 31 March 1814Paris surrenders.
- 4 April 1814Napoleon abdicates in favour of his son.