Russia and France forged a military and political alliance at the end of the 19th century. It was the forerunner of the Entente, which opposed the Triple Alliance led by Germany.
France was one of the first countries with which the military fleet of the Russian Empire exchanged friendly visits. After that, the two countries signed an agreement on mutual assistance in case of external threat.
In July 1891, the French Northern Squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Alfred Albert Gervais entered the port of Kronstadt. The squadron included 5 battleships, a cruiser, an advance boat and two destroyers. The Emperor Alexander III personally welcomed the guests, and a few days later the rest of the imperial family arrived in Kronstadt on the yacht ‘Princess’. The French delegation spent two weeks in Russia. They attended a solemn dinner in Peterhof, took a sightseeing tour of St.-Petersburg and visited Moscow.
The reciprocal visit took place on October 1, 1893. The Russian squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Fyodor Avelan, comprised of a battleship, three cruisers and a sea gunboat, entered the port of Toulon - the main base of the French fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. The celebrations continued several weeks during which the Russian sailors visited different cities. Sadi Carneau, the President of France hosted the Russian delegation In Paris. The sailors got memorable gifts - personal medals, albums with views of Paris, scale copies of famous sculptures and tapestries. And the crew of the ‘Rynda’ cruiser were presented with a personal gift banner.
At the end of the 19th century, the city of Lyon, which the Russian squadron also visited, was the Number 1 in the world in silk fabrics manufacturing. The city authorities presented the Russian delegation with eight silk banners, a silk embossed book, and a special gift for the Empress: two exquisite silk dresses. The sailors got 2,300 silk neck scarves with a vivid fine print as a memento of the trip and the French hospitality. One of them is now on display at the Museum of Modern History.
France was one of the first countries with which the military fleet of the Russian Empire exchanged friendly visits. After that, the two countries signed an agreement on mutual assistance in case of external threat.
In July 1891, the French Northern Squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Alfred Albert Gervais entered the port of Kronstadt. The squadron included 5 battleships, a cruiser, an advance boat and two destroyers. The Emperor Alexander III personally welcomed the guests, and a few days later the rest of the imperial family arrived in Kronstadt on the yacht ‘Princess’. The French delegation spent two weeks in Russia. They attended a solemn dinner in Peterhof, took a sightseeing tour of St.-Petersburg and visited Moscow.
The reciprocal visit took place on October 1, 1893. The Russian squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Fyodor Avelan, comprised of a battleship, three cruisers and a sea gunboat, entered the port of Toulon - the main base of the French fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. The celebrations continued several weeks during which the Russian sailors visited different cities. Sadi Carneau, the President of France hosted the Russian delegation In Paris. The sailors got memorable gifts - personal medals, albums with views of Paris, scale copies of famous sculptures and tapestries. And the crew of the ‘Rynda’ cruiser were presented with a personal gift banner.
At the end of the 19th century, the city of Lyon, which the Russian squadron also visited, was the Number 1 in the world in silk fabrics manufacturing. The city authorities presented the Russian delegation with eight silk banners, a silk embossed book, and a special gift for the Empress: two exquisite silk dresses. The sailors got 2,300 silk neck scarves with a vivid fine print as a memento of the trip and the French hospitality. One of them is now on display at the Museum of Modern History.
