mar 19, 1815 - Louis XVIII Flees Paris

Description:

Louis XVIII's underestimation of Bonaparte proved disastrous. On 19 March, the army stationed outside Paris defected to Bonaparte, leaving the city vulnerable to attack. That same day, Louis XVIII quit the capital with a small escort at midnight.

Louis decided to go first to Lille, and then crossed the border into the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, staying in Ghent.

Other leaders, most prominently Alexander I of Russia, debated whether in the case of a second victory over the French Empire, the Duke of Orléans should be proclaimed king instead of Louis XVIII.

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