On September 10, 1815, a solemn parade of Russian troops took place in Paris. Before the Russian army left Paris, Emperor Alexander I decided to show it “in all its greatness and splendor to his allies and recent opponents.” 132 battalions of the Russian army took part in the parade, which is over 150,000 people and 600 guns. Russian Count Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay de Tolly commanded as the field marshall. But what is the full history of this event?

A Parade of Peace: The Russian Army in Paris, 1815

The early autumn of 1815 presented a scene in Paris that would have been unthinkable just years before. Instead of the familiar blue and white uniforms of Napoleon’s Grande Armée, the Champs-Élysées and the Place de la Concorde were filled with the distinct green jackets and dark boots of the Russian infantry. This was not an invasion, however, but a carefully orchestrated display of victory and a powerful symbol of a new European order. The Russian military parade held in Paris on September 10th, 1815, was the culminating act of the Napoleonic Wars, a spectacle designed to showcase the might of the victorious allies and to formally conclude two decades of continent-wide conflict.

The Context: The Hundred Days and the Second Occupation

To understand the parade, one must first appreciate the unique circumstances of 1815. Earlier that year, Napoleon had escaped from exile on Elba and returned to France, swiftly gathering support and reclaiming his throne during the period known as the Hundred Days. This audacious move shattered the peace established by the allies at the Congress of Vienna. In response, the Seventh Coalition, comprising Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Great Britain, reformed their armies.

The decisive Battle of Waterloo on June 18th, while primarily a British and Prussian victory, was followed by a massive push of all allied forces toward Paris. By early July, the city was once again under occupation, just as it had been in 1814. This second occupation, however, was intended to be more definitive, ensuring Napoleon’s final defeat and securing the restoration of King Louis XVIII. The Russian contingent, a force of over 200,000 men under the command of the veteran field marshall Count Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay de Tolly, formed the largest part of this occupation army.

The Spectacle on the Champ-de-Mars

The event of September 10th was far more than a simple military review; it was a grand state ceremony. The chosen location was the Champ-de-Mars, the vast parade ground at the foot of the École Militaire, famously associated with the French Revolution. The ceremony was attended by Emperor Alexander I of Russia, King Frederick William III of Prussia, and a host of other dignitaries and generals. Significantly, the recently restored French King, Louis XVIII, was also present, a calculated gesture meant to demonstrate that the allies were not there to conquer France, but to restore its legitimate monarchy and secure a lasting peace.

The parade itself was a breathtaking display of military precision and power. Nearly 150,000 Russian soldiers, including elite regiments of the Guard, infantry, cavalry, and artillery with their captured French cannons, marched in perfect order before the monarchs. Their impeccable discipline and formidable appearance served as a stark reminder of the power that had ultimately helped grind down Napoleon’s empire.

A Message of Power and Reconciliation

The parade had a dual purpose. Primarily, it was an undeniable demonstration of overwhelming force—a clear message to any potential revanchists in France that the allied powers possessed the strength and unity to enforce the peace. Yet, under the direction of the shrewd Tsar Alexander I, it was also a carefully managed act of political theatre aimed at reconciliation. By including Louis XVIII on the reviewing stand, the allies were publicly legitimizing his rule and framing their presence not as one of hostile invaders, but as guarantors of a stable and legitimate government for France. The impeccable behaviour of the Russian troops during the occupation, in stark contrast to the more punitive attitude of the Prussians, was part of this strategy to win over the Parisian populace and ease tensions.

The Final Act and a Lasting Legacy

The September 10th parade marked the beginning of the end of the occupation. Having made their point, the allies soon began preparations for withdrawal. The event effectively served as the closing chapter of the Napoleonic epic, directly preceding the signing of the final Treaty of Paris in November 1815, which formalized the terms of the peace. For Parisians, it was a humbling yet fascinating spectacle, a visual confirmation that the era of French military dominance on the continent had ended. For Russia, the parade was a moment of supreme national pride, cementing its status as the preeminent land power in post-Napoleonic Europe and a primary architect of the peace that would define the continent for the next four decades.

The review made a huge impression on everyone present, especially the military. The British expressed their admiration for Admiral Sidney Smith and Field Marshal Arthur Wellington.
On the same day, at a gala dinner, the Emperor announced a toast “To the peace of Europe and the welfare of the peoples.”.