Bombardment of Brussels

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Bombardment of Brussels
Part of the Nine Years' War
A contemporary map and illustration of the 1695 bombardment of Brussels and the subsequent fire. The white areas in the centre are the areas destroyed.
Date August 13–15, 1695 Location Brussels, Southern Netherlands
Belligerents
France	Spain
Commanders and leaders
Louis XIV Duke of Villeroi	Philippe de Berghes

During the Nine Years' War, the French Royal Army carried out a bombardment of Brussels from August 13–15, 1695. Led by King Louis XIV and the Duke of Villeroi, French forces bombarded the city in an attempt to divert Grand Alliance troops from reinforcing the concurrent siege of Namur. The bombardment ultimately proved to be the most destructive event in the history of Brussels, destroying a third of the buildings in the city, including the Grand-Place/Grote Markt (Brussels' main square).

After the bombardment, reconstruction efforts over the following years profoundly changed the appearance of the city and left numerous traces still visible today. The French attempt to divert the Grand Alliance was ultimately unsuccessful, though Louis XIV's reputation suffered for his involvement in the destruction of the city.