On This Day: The 1870 Siege of Paris Turned into a Bizarre Feast

By Bananaking | HistoryGoneBananas

On September 1, 1870, the Siege of Paris officially began during the Franco-Prussian War—and it quickly became one of the strangest events in modern European history. While Otto von Bismarck and the Prussians tightened their grip on the French capital, Parisians found themselves cut off from food, supplies, and even their beloved baguettes. What followed is legendary in both tragedy and absurdity: balloon mail, cat casseroles, and even elephant steaks.

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The context was grim. After Napoleon III’s humiliating defeat at the Battle of Sedan, Prussian forces surrounded Paris, determined to starve the city into submission. Unlike the medieval sieges of old, this 19th-century lockdown weaponized railways, cannons, and an airtight blockade. By January 28, 1871, after four long months, Paris finally surrendered.

This period wasn’t just a military maneuver—it became a test of human endurance, innovation, and (thanks to some curious recipes) culinary creativity.

One of the most remarkable inventions of the siege was balloon mail. With traditional routes blocked, Parisians floated letters and newspapers out of the city in hot-air balloons. It was effectively the 19th-century version of FedEx, complete with daring escapes over Prussian lines.

For historians, this shows how human innovation under duress can create surprising solutions—the Siege of Paris 1870 was as much about creativity as it was about cannons.

With Paris sealed shut, residents ate through food stores quickly. The menu soon became desperate:

It sounds absurd today, but for Parisians in late 1870, survival meant creativity on the plate. This strange chapter in Paris history remains one of the clearest examples of how war alters daily life.

So, what can history lovers and historians learn from the Siege of Paris 1870?

This is why on this day in history articles are powerful: they capture not just wars, but the human (and sometimes humorous) side of survival.

The Franco-Prussian War is often remembered for changing Europe’s political map, but the Siege of Paris is remembered for its bizarre adaptations. It shows history isn’t just strategy and treaties—it’s food shortages, desperate creativity, and the resilience of everyday people.

If you’re a fan of quirky Paris history or oddball survival stories, this one belongs at the top of your list.

On this day in 1870, the people of Paris proved they could defy a siege not only with bravery, but also with humor and ingenuity. Even in times of desperation, they left behind stories so outlandish that they still fascinate historians and history fans alike.

And let’s be honest—balloon mail romances and elephant steaks will always win a spot in the “weird history” hall of fame.

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Adding FAQs is awesome for featured snippets and voice search. They should weave in the target keywords naturally while still being fun.

Q1: What was the Siege of Paris 1870?
The Siege of Paris was part of the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871). Starting on September 1, 1870, Prussian forces surrounded Paris for over four months, cutting the city off from food, supplies, and reinforcements until the French surrendered on January 28, 1871.

Q2: How did Parisians survive during the Siege of Paris?
With no supplies entering the city, Parisians adapted their diet in unusual ways. They ate pigeons, rats, cats, dogs, and even elephants from the Paris Zoo. While grim, it showed remarkable resilience and determination to survive.

Q3: What was balloon mail in the Siege of Paris?
Balloon mail was one of the cleverest survival strategies during the siege. Since normal communication lines were cut, Parisians used hot-air balloons to send letters, newspapers, and even passengers out of the city. It became a symbol of French ingenuity under pressure.

Q4: Why was the Siege of Paris important in history?
The siege was significant because it directly led to the fall of Napoleon III, the surrender of Paris, and the proclamation of the German Empire in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. It changed European politics and set the stage for 20th-century tensions between France and Germany.

Q5: What can historians and history fans learn from the Siege of Paris 1870?
Beyond military history, the Siege of Paris teaches lessons about adaptability, human innovation, and survival under extreme conditions. It also reminds us why quirky details—like eating elephant steaks or sending balloon mail—help preserve history in our collective memory.