Siege of Nice (1705) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Siege of Nice |
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| Part of War of the Spanish Succession | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 France |
 Savoy |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Louis d'Aubusson de La Feuillade Duke of Berwick |
Marquis of Caraglio |
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The Siege of Nice was a long battle that happened between March 15, 1705, and January 4, 1706. It was part of a bigger conflict called the War of the Spanish Succession. This war was fought over who would become the next king of Spain.
During the siege, the army of Louis XIV of France fought against the forces of Victor Amadeus II of Savoy. The Savoy army was led by a general known as the Marquis of Caraglio.
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What Happened During the Siege?
French Army Prepares for Attack
French soldiers gathered on the west side of the River Var. This showed they were getting ready to invade. However, the city of Nice, which belonged to Savoy, did not prepare for a siege. A siege is when an army surrounds a city to try and take it over.
At the end of 1704, Nice even sent its gunpowder supplies to another area called Piedmont. This left the city with less defense.
The Attack on Nice Begins
In the spring of 1705, the French army began its attack. They were led by a commander named duc de La Feuillade. The French surrounded the strong walls and towers of Nice.
Nice had a very strong castle and a citadel, which is like a fortress, on a high rocky hill. This castle looked over the whole town. It was protected by a large wall that was about 2.3 kilometers long and 8 meters high. Inside this first wall, there was another, even taller wall with towers. This second wall protected the castle's main fortress.
The Battle Continues
The French army also had forces in the River Po plain, which was a threat to Nice. A short break in fighting, called a truce, was agreed upon for six months. This allowed more soldiers to be sent to Piedmont.
Later, the Duke of Berwick was sent to help the French win the siege. The French used 113 cannons and mortars, which are like large guns that fire shells. They bombed Nice Castle for 54 days.
After this long attack, the castle was completely destroyed. King Louis XIV of France ordered that it be torn down "as if it had never existed."
