Incendie Paris 1871

The Destructive Fires of the Paris Commune

The Siege and Uprising

The Paris Commune was a revolutionary government that arose in Paris during the siege of the city by Prussian forces in 1871. The siege began on September 19, 1870, and ended with the capture of the city on January 28, 1871. During the siege, the French government fled Paris, leaving the city under the control of radical socialist and anarchist groups.

Planned Destruction

As the Prussian forces advanced, the Communards, as the members of the Paris Commune were known, realized that they would not be able to defeat the invaders. Rather than surrender, they decided to set fire to the city in a desperate attempt to prevent the Prussians from gaining control of it.

The Week of Blood

The fires began on the evening of May 23, 1871, and continued for several days. They were known as the "Week of Blood." During this time, the Communards burned down many of Paris's most famous landmarks, including the Tuileries Palace, the Hôtel de Ville, and the Louvre. Residential buildings were also targeted, leaving many Parisians homeless.

Aftermath

The fires of the Paris Commune were a devastating event for the city. The destruction of so many iconic buildings and the loss of so many homes left a lasting scar on Paris. The events of the Paris Commune also had a profound impact on French history, leading to the collapse of the Third Republic and the establishment of the Second French Empire.

The fires of the Paris Commune remain a controversial topic today. Some historians argue that they were a necessary act of resistance against the Prussian invaders, while others condemn them as acts of vandalism and destruction.