History’s Greatest Battles

The Viking Siege of Paris, 886 AD. Just 200 Parisian Men Held Paris Against 30,000 Vikings.

21 min • 4 april 2025

The siege didn’t just test the walls of Paris, it revealed its worth to all of France. In holding the city, the defenders exposed the spine of the realm. And when Charles the Fat chose appeasement over action, he sealed his fate. The dynasty of Charlemagne ended not with a charge, but with a negotiation. The Carolingians fell... because Paris refused to.

Paris. November 25, 885 - October, 886 AD.
Parisian Forces: 200 Men-At-Arms.
Nordic Viking Forces: ~ 30,000 Viking Warriors.

Additional Reading and Episode Research:

  • Jones, Gwyn. A History of the Vikings.
  • Brent, Peter. The Viking Saga.
  • Lansdale, Maria. Paris: Its Sites, Monuments and History.



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