Montmartre in Paris in Département de Paris, Île-de-France, France — Western Europe
La fusillade du 18 mars 1871
| — | Histoire de Paris | — |
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 10, 2025
1. La fusillade du 18 mars 1871 Marker
After the failure of the night expedition to seize the National Guard's cannons by surprise, the first bloodshed took place on the evening of March 18, 1871. General Clément Thomas, an old republican exiled under the Empire and returned to participate in the defense of Paris after Sedan, was recognized at Place Pigalle, despite his denials and his civilian clothes: he was looking for General Lecomte, held by the insurgents since the morning, for having given the troops the order to fire on the crowd. He too was arrested and taken to the headquarters of the Central Committee located at 6, rue des Rosiers (renamed rue du Chevalier de La Barre in 1907). Sentenced to death by summary judgment, both were shot against the garden wall by their own soldiers.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Wars, Non-US. In addition, it is included in the Histoire de Paris series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 18, 1871.
Location. 48° 53.241′ N, 2° 20.596′ E.
this page online
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Parc Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet dit Parc de la Turlure (1988) (a few steps from this marker); Square Claude-Charpentier (1931) (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Cimetière du Calvaire / Calvary Cemetery (about 120 meters away); Hector Berlioz (about 120 meters away); Le Cabaret de Patachou (about 150 meters away); Johnny Hallyday (about 150 meters away); La basilique du Sacré-Cœur (about 150 meters away); Louise Michel
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 10, 2025
2. La fusillade du 18 mars 1871 Marker - wide view
Also see . . . Soulèvement du 18 mars 1871 (Wikipedia, in French). Overview:
The uprising of March 18, 1871, was the revolt of a section of the National Guard and the Parisian population in reaction to the decision of Adolphe Thiers' government to reclaim the cannons acquired by Parisians during the Prussian siege of the city. It marked the beginning of the Paris Commune, the largest of the insurrectionary communes of 1870-1871, which culminated in the massacres of Bloody Week from May 21 to 28, 1871.(Submitted on April 14, 2025.)
The military operation was launched before daybreak, but some of the regular army troops, surprised by the hostile reaction of the residents, fraternized with the crowd. General Lecomte was arrested and executed late that day in Montmartre, along with General Clément-Thomas, who was in civilian clothes. Meanwhile, the Fédérés took control of the city's main sites.
For many historians, the failure of the operation, which was poorly prepared or delayed, underscores Adolphe Thiers's inability to restore order in the capital. The government and thetroops loyal to it retreated to Versailles, abandoning Paris to the insurgents…Photographed by G.C. de Paris, March 18, 18713. La fusillade du 18 mars 1871 - postcard (circa 1905)Note that this is not an actual photo of the execution, but rather a photomontage put together some time after the fact.
Additional keywords. panneau
Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 14, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
