The Grand Welcome of Paris
On December 1st, 1804, in the capital city of the French Empire, Paris, the streets were abuzz with anticipation. Crowds of Parisians had gathered along the thoroughfares, each one clutching a small French flag as they eagerly awaited the grand procession of the Grand Armée, a formidable force that had played a pivotal role in the recent War of the Third Coalition.
The weather that day was far from accommodating; a biting chill hung in the air, and a somber gray sky threatened rain. Despite the discomfort of the cold, the Parisians remained undeterred, their collective enthusiasm serving as a stark contrast to the wintry conditions. They huddled in small groups, their breath forming visible plumes in the frigid air, but their spirits were anything but frosty.