Siege of Valenciennes (1676–1677)

Siege of Valenciennes
Part of the Franco-Dutch War

Prise de Valenciennes, 17 mars 1677, oil on canvas by Jean Alaux, 1837, Galerie des batailles, Palace of Versailles
Date28 February 1677 – 17 March 1677
Location50°21′29″N 3°31′24″E / 50.35806°N 3.52333°E / 50.35806; 3.52333
Result French victory
Belligerents
 France Spain
Commanders and leaders
Duc de Luxembourg
Marquis de Vauban
Henri de Melun
Strength
35,000 maximum 1,150 initially
2,000–3,000 auxiliaries
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown
Location within Nord-Pas-de-Calais
Siege of Valenciennes (1676–1677) (France)

The siege of Valenciennes took place from 28 February to 17 March 1677, during the Franco-Dutch War, when Valenciennes, then in the Spanish Netherlands, was attacked by a French army under the duc de Luxembourg.

Over the winter of 1676 to 1677, Valenciennes and Cambrai were subjected to a tight blockade, which prevented reinforcements or supplies reaching them from the outside. French armies also benefitted from superior logistics, which allowed them to begin campaigns far earlier than their opponents. Siege operations began on 28 February, supervised by French military engineer Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, and the town surrendered on 17 March; Spain formally ceded it to France under the August 1678 Treaty of Nijmegen.