Nicholas II in Paris: "honeymoon" of Franco-Russian relations

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-10 02:10

1896 was a special year for the crowned Romanov couple. This year, the coronation of Nicholas II took place, the All-Russian Industrial and Art Exhibition was held in Nizhny Novgorod, at the beginning of autumn the emperor with his wife and daughter Olga went on a big trip to Europe. They met with Wilhelm II, Queen Victoria, who was the grandmother of Alexandra Feodorovna, and the final stage of their trip was sala France. Today we will tell you exactly about the final stage of the imperial journey.

On October 5, 1896, Emperor Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra Feodorovna got off the deck of the yacht "Polar Star" in the port of Cherbourg and headed to Paris on a special train. An elegant pavilion was erected at the train station of the French capital "specially for the occasion". Vice-President of the French Chamber of Deputies Raymond Poincaré called this visit the “honeymoon” of Franco-Russian relations.

All movements of the imperial couple were recorded by meticulous reporters and artists, and found at antiques auctions. These albums are called Le Panorama. Les Cinq Journees Russes. 5-9 Octobre 1896 (Five Russian days. 5-9 October 1896), Paris Ludovic Baschet 1897). The result of their work was several photographic albums, which can still be bought at antiques auctions today. Photos from these albums are presented in our review.

It should be noted that the visit of the Russian emperor to Paris pursued several goals at once. First of all, the emperor planned to cement the Russian-French alliance, which had arisen under Alexander III. He also came to France to attend the laying of the bridge over the Seine, which was named after his father, Emperor Alexander III.

Nicholas II himself wrote about the trip in his diaries. And although the records are not widespread and not sufficiently capaciously reflecting events, they are very interesting to read.

From the diary of Nicholas II - September 23rd. Monday

We left Portsmouth at 7 o'clock and at a low speed went to the English squadron, which was waiting for us on O from the island of Wight. Walked on deck this time too. The wind blew harder and harder and the wave grew larger and farther from the coast. But the weather was clear. English. the ships kept their places remarkably; walked in a 13-knot course. The pitching intensified and the battleships took wave after wave. At 11 o'clock we met a French squadron; the British turned dashingly back with salute, the French took their places. After that I went to sleep. Poor Alix was quite seasick, and so was her daughter. At 2 o'clock we entered Cherbourg in the inner port, and the Shtandart and the entire squadron were positioned in the roadstead. They went ashore and were greeted by President Felix [th] for [th]. After the performances we returned to the yacht and changed to the advice note "Elan", to the cat. made a round of all ships and visited the flagship, the battleship "Nospe". Here they watched the parade of all the naval teams brought together. It blew great. We returned to Polyarn. Sound ", by 5 o'clock. and the president's boat. We drank tea at home, because we were very hungry. At 6 1/2 Handicap went to dinner at the naval arsenal. While smoking, I talked with admirals and generals. Returning to the "Polar Star" and saying goodbye to the officers and the crew, Alix and I got on our train right there at the pier and set off at 8 1/2. It rained at night. Patrol ship (French).

We woke up with wonderful weather. At 9 o'clock we arrived at Versailles and then got on the presidential train. By 10 o'clock. arrived in Paris. A guard of honor from the Garde Republiccine, all the ministers, our additional retinue and many acquaintances greeted us in a tent arranged on purpose. We went to 4-seater. Landau with Fore [th] three together with a large escort of cuirassiers. Troops were stationed all along the way. I can only compare the meeting of the population of Paris with the departure to Moscow, so she was sincere and touching! They were placed perfectly in our embassy. We found our daughter already at home. We had breakfast together. Having received M-me Faure and her daughter, they went with the same parade to our church, where a prayer service was served. Then Alix returned home, and I went to visit the president. He introduced me to the entire top administration, the Senate and the deputies. Was home at 5 o'clock and after tea received diplomats and Ganoto - min. foreign cases. At 7 o'clock we went together for a big dinner at the Elysee Palace. Fore and I both read our toasts. At 10 o'clock, the three of us went with him to a gala performance at the Grand Opera. From there we returned home after half past twelve! Republican Guard (French).

Also a very busy day. As if on purpose two couriers had gathered in Paris, where every moment was numbered. At 9 1/2 Fort he came for us and the three of us set off with the same cuirassier escort through the city. Examined: Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle, all the judges were immediately represented, Pantheon, Hotel des Invalides. We returned to the embassy at 12 1/4 and sat down to breakfast with the Shartskys, prince. Matilda, Omalsky and the main figures of high society. At 2 1/2 we went to the other bank of the Seine, where the laying of the bridge, named after the Pope, took place. We sat in a large tent, where they sang different things. From there we went to the mint, to the Academy of Sciences and to the city duma. The order in the streets was brilliant. We returned home only at 6 1/2. At 7 1/2 we had lunch and then the three of us went to the Comedie Francaise. They gave a mixed performance.

We woke up with wonderful weather. After coffee, I read the papers and received Misha in front of Alix! At 10 1/2 we went with the president to the Louvre, where we stayed for more than an hour. Returning back, they began to have breakfast with all the members of the embassy, ours and the French retinue. It was a pity to part with Paris and the pretty house in which we only lived for two and a half days! The three of us went to the poste francaise in Versailles. We stopped halfway in Sevres and looked at the famous porcelain factory. Crowds of people stood all the way from Paris to Versailles; my hand almost dried up kicking in. We arrived there at 4 1/2 and rode through the beautiful park, inspecting the fountains. Indeed, there is a resemblance to Peterhof. The halls and rooms of the palace are ideal and interesting from a historical point of view, of course! until 7 1/2, had a conversation with Faure and Ganoto Dined at galerie les batailles Then there was a beautiful show with all the celebrities and at 11 1/4 we left Versailles in our train Gallery of battles (French).

From the diary of Nicholas II - September 27th. Friday

It rained at night, fortunately it stopped in the morning. At 10 1/2 we arrived at Chalon, where Faur met us with all the ministers and high military commanders. The three of us again went to the landau, harnessed by 6 artillery horses, with an escort from two cavalry regiments to the house, to the cat. first stopped Napoleon III and imp. Eugene. Having rested and had a snack there, we went to the place of the parade. He sat on the Emir at the right flank of the troops; there were 70,000 of them in the ranks, 6 infantry divisions and 4 cavalry. In addition, the first to pass: two rifle brigades, a Zouav regiment, a Turkic battalion and a spahis squadron. After a detour of the front, they drove up to the podium, where they entered and sat down; I got off the horse. The passage lasted two and a half hours, although the infantry was a division as a whole, and the cavalry in brigades. The step is very frequent, the alignment is not bad, the buglers and drummers play dashingly! Every time a divisional general passed or a banner passed, the president and we all got up and he took off his top hat. Towards the very end, all the cavalry with horse batteries made a long attack on the stands, which turned out remarkably effectively. A total of 108 squadrons participated! Returned to shale national at 3 1/2 and recuperated went to the huge tent where breakfast was served. The last toasts. It was getting dark when we drove back; the entire mass of troops lined up on both sides of the road to the station. We said goodbye to good Faure and all our acquaintances and set off to the border, where they took Boisdefre and Gervais with them. We dined with them in the carriage and parted at the station. "Pagny" at 11 o'clock. It was very sad to cross the border and leave the good French!

And a few more "pictures" - these are the first sheets of French newspapers with pictures dedicated to the visit of the Romanovs to France and souvenirs, commemorative medals, etc. released specifically for this event.