First Madagascar expedition

First Madagascar expedition (1883–1885)
Part of the Franco-Hova Wars
Tamatave, bombarded and occupied by the French under Admiral Pierre, on 11 June 1883. Le Monde illustré, 1883.
Date May 1883 – December 1885 Location Madagascar Result French victory "Protectorate" treaty signed in December 1885 but did not go into effect, leading to the Second Madagascar expedition in 1895.
Belligerents
France	Merina Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Adm. Pierre † Adm. Galiber Counter-Adm. Miot	Ranavalona II Rainilaiarivony
Strength
2 cruisers (Flore, Forfait) 1 scout ship (Vaudreuil) 1 aviso (Boursait) 1 gunboat (Pique) 1 aviso transport (Nièvre)	unknown
Casualties and losses
unknown	unknown
unknown

The First Madagascar expedition was the beginning of the Franco-Hova War and consisted of a French military expedition against the Merina Kingdom on the island of Madagascar in 1883. It was followed by the Second Madagascar expedition in 1895.