Vernon and Ardeche: the 1870 Franco-Prussian war

Vernon, the Ardèche region and the 1870 Franco-Prussian war

The 1870 Franco-Prussian war … an old story almost completely forgotten, even by most French people. A fairly short war (six months), relatively few victims (compared with the massacres of the last two World Wars). But this episode of French history, the memory of which is fading away, has not been forgotten in Vernon. Ask the locals what the Monument aux Mobiles de l'Ardèche is (Monument to the Militia from Ardèche - Ardèche being an administrative region in the south of France) and why there is an Avenue de l'Ardèche and you will be surprised to note that the memory of this war, which took place over 130 years ago, still lingers here.

Ardèche Avenue around 1920
In the back of the avenue, one can make out the monument to the Militia from Ardèche. The level-crossing gates that can be seen in the middle ground belong to the Vernon - Pacy railway line (here near the Vernon station) , along which took place the fighting that will be described below.

First, we must recall a few facts : the war originates from the concern that the growing power of Prussia was causing in France and from Bismarck's determination to create a united German nation under the supremacy of Prussia.
France declared war on July 19, 1870, but as early as August 4, the French army was retreating. Then came the surrender of Sedan in early September (a major military defeat, but also a terrible political and psychological blow), coming as a prelude to the invasion of France. Paris was besieged on September 19, on October 27 general Bazaine capitulated in Metz, thus letting the German armies free to increase their pressure on all fronts so that in November they were in Normandy. (Rouen was taken on December 4, 1870.)
Here is a brief account of the end of the war before coming back to local events: in December, the Loire valley is crossed and general Chanzy must retreat behind the river Mayenne. In January1871 in northern France, general Faidherbe beats a retreat towards the North Sea after battles at Bapaume and Saint Quentin.
In the east, Bourbaki's army is routed and has to flee to Switzerland at the end of January 1871.
Paris, starved and shelled, has already surrendered (January 28, 1871)

In his book, Pierre Nozière, the early 20th century writer and novelist Anatole France describes Vernon at length and in particular he writes :
"Near the park, at the end of a long tree-lined avenue, with the last houses of the city on one side and vineyards and apple-trees on the other side, there rises a granite pyramid, a kind of geometric prehistoric standing stone, looking both heroic and funereal. It is indeed a glorious tomb. On the monument are engraved the coats of arms of Vernon and Privas [a town in Ardèche] with this inscription : AUX GARDES MOBILES DE L'ARDÈCHE - Vernon, 22-26 novembre 1870 " (To the militia from Ardèche - Vernon, November 22 - 26, 1870)

The apple-trees and vineyards no longer exist, but the monument still rises there and it reminds us of a particular battle - in which the French took the better, which was very rare!- even though it was not important enough to change the general course of events.

The Prussians had appeared for the first time near Normandy in early October 1870 but they did not intend to occupy this territory, being satisfied with protecting the troops that were besieging Paris and with raiding Vexin (the region just North from Vernon) for food supplies.
As to the French, there had been troops around Vernon as early as late September.. A local 'Mobile' (militiaman) noted on October 1: "Were are leaving the barracks in Vernon at 7 am and are going too camp in Bizy Forest , near the village of Blaru, 5 kilometres away from Vernon. "