SIEGE OF TURIN 1706 - THE HILL DEFENCES

 One of the least studied aspects of the 1706 Siege of Turin concerns the hilltop defences established to protect Monte dei Cappuccini, a small hill—still clearly visible today—which overlooks the River Po below and controlled access to the city from the riverside.

Yet, from the perspective of historical and archaeological research, this is precisely the area that may offer the greatest rewards. The natural configuration of the terrain has inevitably remained largely unchanged, and several sections of the original defensive works still survive, although they are now concealed and difficult to identify.

This research has also led me to discover and appreciate a part of my own city, close to where I live, which I had nevertheless never previously explored.

Therefore began with the most precise and least stylised map available for reconstructing the hilltop defences: Alessandro Luigi Emanuelle’s 1708 Plan of the City and Citadel of Turin, produced only two years after the siege. Although this map naturally contains a number of inconsistencies, it nevertheless provides the best surviving representation of the defensive works on the hills.

From this map, I was able to reconstruct my own version, reproduced here, as well as to identify the names of the original farmsteads in the area.

1) Fort of Villa Genero

2) Monte dei Capuccini

3) Borgo di Po

4) Vigna della Marchesa (today: Villa della Regina)

5) Today: Via Villa della Regina

6) Val Salice

However, after producing this first map, I attempted to transpose it onto a modern map of Turin. In fact, the satellite view made it possible, to some extent, to refine the actual layout of the fortifications, as shown in the map below.

This is the first map ever produced that makes it possible to see today what existed here 320 years ago.

 here with the numbers is red in order to understand the map above.

However, my research eventually led me to go out “into the field” in search of physical evidence. I therefore visited Villa Genero, now a beautiful public park that I had never previously taken into consideration. I climbed to the top, where I found what is still known today as the Fortino, although it is in very poor condition. I would very much like to see it restored and returned to its former splendour.

Over time, this small fort was altered and transformed into a kind of Art Nouveau-style pavilion between the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when this part of the hill belonged to the Genero family. Nevertheless, a careful examination of the structure reveals that its lower brick-built section is likely to preserve the remains of the original fortification situated on the summit of this part of the hill. It served as a defensive strongpoint and as an observation post from which operations across the hills could be monitored and controlled. (number 1 in the maps)

It is a forgotten piece of the city’s history, and one that was entirely unknown to me.

In the past, it was impossible to discern its original appearance, as the walls had been covered with a rough coat of render by the owner.

The sadly neglected state in which the Fortino stands today makes it seem almost as though the City has no wish to honour the heroic defence mounted on this part of the defensive salient as well.

From an aerial view, and after carrying out a series of on-site measurements—rather risky, given some of the people who frequent the park today—I was able to determine the perimeter of the Fortino, despite the dense vegetation.

These photographs show the northern side of the Fortino, which is remarkably well preserved. The relevant section is marked with an X in the aerial photograph.

The Fort (later called) Genero

BATTLE OF TURIN 1706. FRENCH REGIMENT LA REINE

The uniform also included a blue waistcoat with pewter buttons and white woollen buttonholes. These details cannot be seen in this illustration, just as they would normally have remained concealed on the battlefield, where the soldier’s coat was kept closed and prevented the waistcoat underneath from being visible.

                                

                                          REGIMENT LA REINE

During the War of the Spanish Succession, the regiment was successively commanded by Louis d’Ornaison, Comte de Chamarande, from 20 March 1693; N. d’Ornaison, Marquis de Buzançois, from 29 January 1702; Louis-Pierre-Maximilien de Sully, Duc de Béthune, from 27 October 1706; and Daniel-François de Gelas de Voisins de Lautrec, Chevalier d’Ambres, from 28 April 1711 until 21 August 1734. When the regiment returned to France in 1715, it absorbed the surviving men of the disbanded Eppeville Infanterie.

In mid-February 1701, the regiment’s three battalions were sent to the Spanish Netherlands, where they occupied Luxembourg in the name of Philip V, the new king of Spain. By 20 July, the regiment had joined the army commanded by the Maréchal de Villeroy. In October it was stationed in Upper Gelderland, and by December its battalions were quartered at Roermond, Weert and Stockem.

On 8 June 1702, the regiment left these positions and marched to join the Army of Germany. In September it departed from Strasbourg with Villars and advanced towards Huningue. On 14 October, it fought at the Battle of Friedlingen, where its brigade formed part of the first line alongside the Champagne and Bourbonnais brigades. After the battle, the regiment took up its winter quarters at Bitche and Homburg.

In February and March 1703, the regiment participated in the siege and capture of Kehl. On 4 March, it took part in the assault on the covered way of the hornwork, during which Captain Lescarmoussier and Lieutenant Chevalier were killed. The regiment subsequently contributed to the attack on the Lines of Stollhofen and followed Villars through the Black Forest into Bavaria. During this advance it fought in the Hornberg Valley and at Munderkirchen. On 20 September, it distinguished itself in the victorious Battle of Höchstädt, after which it took part in the occupation of Kempten, Augsburg and Ulm.

In 1704, the regiment served with Marsin’s Corps in Bavaria. On 13 August, it was engaged in the disastrous Battle of Blenheim. Following the defeat, it withdrew towards the Rhine and spent the winter at Strasbourg. Earlier that year, a detachment had also been sent to defend the Alpine passes in Provence. In June, the company commanded by Captain de Lème held the Castle of Cuébris for seven days .

In 1705, the regiment initially served on the Moselle under Villars. On 17 August, it left the region and began the march towards Italy.

The following year, the regiment took part in the siege of Turin. On 22 June 1706, its grenadiers successfully repelled a sortie by the defenders. On 16 July, however, its colonel, the Marquis de Buzançois, was killed in action. After the disastrous conclusion of the siege, the regiment withdrew from Italy and returned to France. Its 779 surviving officers and men subsequently rejoined Villars in Alsace.

Considering that the regiment was present at Turin with three battalions, amounting to approximately 1,500–1,800 men, the fact that it returned after the defeat with only 779 soldiers—roughly half of its original strength—clearly shows how heavily it had been employed during the siege and how severe its losses must have been.

The fact that its grenadiers repelled a sortie on 16 June, and that its colonel was killed in action on 16 July, suggests that the unit remained continuously engaged in the front line for at least a month, and possibly longer. It was therefore most likely deployed in an advanced position, as indicated in the image.

Details:

In 1707, the regiment participated in the various operations conducted by Villars. It took part in the capture of the Lines of Stollhofen and in the occupation of Ettlingen, Pforzheim, Winhing and Schorndorf.

In 1708, the regiment was transferred to the Army of Flanders. On 11 July, it fought at the Battle of Oudenarde. During the subsequent siege of Lille, it remained in the camp at Meldert under the command of the Marquis d’Hautefort.

In 1709, the regiment served under the Comte d’Albergotti. On 11 September, it fought with great determination at the Battle of Malplaquet. It took part in Villars’ celebrated charge against the British troops holding the Sart Woods. During this action Villars was wounded in the knee, while the regiment’s colonel was also wounded.

The regiment continued to serve in Flanders throughout 1710 and 1711.

In 1712, after the French victory at Denain on 24 July, the regiment’s brigade was among the six brigades sent under the Maréchal de Montesquiou to seize Marchiennes. The regiment also distinguished itself in the capture of the Fort de Scarpe during the siege of Douai and later participated in the siege of Le Quesnoy.

In 1713, the regiment joined the Army of the Rhine. It took part in the siege and recapture of Landau, in the defeat of General Vaubonne near Freiburg and in the subsequent siege of Freiburg itself. On 2 October, a force of 400 defenders launched a sortie against the left of the French trenches. The regiment quickly took position along the line and delivered a devastating volley, bringing the attack to a halt. When the defenders rallied and renewed their advance, a second volley fired at point-blank range forced them to retreat rapidly towards the covered way.

In 1714, the regiment was sent to Spain, where the Catalans still refused to lay down their arms. It took part in the siege of Barcelona and, on 11 September, formed the head of one of the four assault columns that stormed the city.

 

Drapeau d'Ordonnance

Drapeau d'Ordonnance

Drapeau Colonel

SIEGE OF TURIN 1706 - THE SUPPLY LINES

It is often striking how wars of the modern age are analysed not only from a purely tactical perspective but also from a logistical one, whereas for earlier conflicts this latter aspect is frequently overlooked. And yet, in order to undertake a siege on the scale of that of the capital of the Duchy of Savoy — Turin — it was necessary to assess in advance what quantities and types of material would be required.

This therefore helps to clarify the French need to capture the Fort of Bard, on the first Alpine line, as well as Montmélian in Savoy, and then Verrua and Crescentino, in order to open the main supply route along the Po. These were military efforts that were costly in every respect, but which had become necessary.

This is the very first map to bring together this information and to attempt to clarify this complex network of supply lines.

There were as many as four supply lines: two crossed the Alps, another was a river route bringing supplies from the Duchy of Milan, and yet another came by sea from Genoa; the latter two converged at Casale, the eastern logistical hub of the siege.

THE ALPS ROUTES N. 1 AND N. 2

The Army of Piedmont had received reinforcements between 19 January and 4 May 1706. The French troops had crossed the Little St Bernard Pass and had entered Piedmont through the Aosta Valley, using Ivrea as a gathering point. (see black line in the map) During this period, 17.307 infantrymen and 4.254 cavalrymen had passed through on their way towards Turin. The Aosta Valley was not as troubled as the Piedmontese countryside, and there were good logistical bases both at Aosta and at Ivrea. The main drawback of this route was that it required a very long detour through Savoy; the speed of communications was sacrificed to the security of movements. It was no coincidence that this was the preferred route in the spring, when the campaign had not yet begun.

Another road that could be used was the Val di Susa route (second black line). This had one undeniable advantage: it was the shortest way. After Chiomonte (stiil in France), one entered occupied territory: sixty rather dangerous kilometres to be crossed, watched over by the fort of Santa Maria di Susa and by the garrison of Avigliana (held by some Militia troops from Monferrato). The stretch between the lower valley and the trenches of Turin was, for the French troops, absolutely one of the most dangerous places in the Duchy, owing to the presence of partisan bands and detachments of Allied cavalry.

The large convoys descending from the Val di Susa were often subjected to attacks and ambushes, with the loss of their precious cargoes. These consisted mainly of supplies of food and forage and, at times, gunpowder. The convoys could be truly imposing in size: the one that reached La Feuillade on 10 May 1706 numbered something like 3,000 mules, and was obviously placed under very close escort. 

LEGENDA

THE PO ROUTE

The privileged route remained the course of the Po. The Duke of Vendôme and La Feuillade had fought in 1704 and 1705 for control of the river as far as Turin. Strongholds such as Verrua and Chivasso had been defended with extreme determination by the Allies, in order to prevent the troops of the Two Crowns from gaining control of the river. 

The boats travelling upstream were, in practical terms, virtually unassailable by the forces of the Ducal partisans. The draught animals needed to overcome the current were escorted by entire regiments. By exploiting river navigation, the heavy siege artillery, tons of ammunition, cannonballs, grenades and powder reached the camp at Turin with minimal effort in relation to the tonnage of goods transported, and with a negligible rate of loss in terms of men and material.

At the same time, it was possible to transfer to Chivasso and Casale the thousands of wounded men lying in the hospitals. After the fall of Verrua in April 1705, the Allies were no longer able to dispute French control of the river waters. The French were thus able to establish two logistical centres at Chivasso and Crescentino, intended to support the movement of materials and various supplies arriving from the Duchy of Milan.

At this point Casale became the true pivot around which the entire logistical machine of the French army operating in Piedmont was built. The city, defended by its castle and by a modest circuit of walls, partly bastioned — works more than sufficient to keep away any Allied raids — was garrisoned by the battalion of the Monferrato infantry regiment Natta.

To Casale arrived also huge quantitied of matirial transported from the Milanese. Washed by the waters of the Po, the capital of the Duchy received boats coming both from the Alessandria area and from Lombardy, above all Pavia, the main fluvial port of the Milanese where supplies were gathered. From there, convoys were organised which had to ascend the river as far as Turin.

This system also allowed the French to make a considerable saving in forces. They did not have enough troops to control the entire network of land communications which extended towards west, through the hills of Monferrato.

                    

                                                               THE MARITIME ROUTE

The warehouses of Casale also received materials unloaded at Genoa and coming from Toulon and Marseilles. This maritime route brought supplies through the accommodating port of Genoa, then overland to the river port of Valenza, and from there towards Casale, the eastern logistical hub of the entire besieging force.

                                           THE TWO HYPOTHETICAL NEW SUPPLY ROUTES

Alongside these lines of communication, La Feuillade planned two further and different supply routes: one across the Alps, through the Col Agnel and then towards Saluzzo — a shorter but highly dangerous route, given the large number of partisan forces and militia, as well as regular troops, which would have made the actual delivery of supplies extremely difficult; the other, longer route was by sea, using the more convenient and nearby ports of Savona and Finale Ligure.

Once the goods had been unloaded, however, it was necessary to establish a secure route through southern Piedmont, by capturing the towns of Ceva and Mondovì, which were expected to fall easily into French hands. Yet the stubborn resistance of these two strongholds prevented the opening of a further, second maritime supply route.

Here I add an extended map, showing the supply lines from Pavia and Milan. It is in fact important to have an idea of how materials set out from the interior of the very rich Duchy of Milan towards Turin. Perhaps this is why, even today, Juventus and Inter still cannot stand each other?

BATTLE OF TURIN 1706 - FRENCH REGIMENT ROUERGUE

 This regiment is interesting for understanding the disposition of the troops involved in the siege.

This unit, consisting of two battalions, was positioned in the siege park of the city of Turin, namely between the Dora and the Po. During the battle, as far as can be ascertained, these troops continued the siege operations and did not assist the French troops engaged in the fighting.

Yet it was precisely this regiment that suffered enormous losses: some sources state that the regiment was annihilated or destroyed, while others report that, by the end of the battle, it was reduced to just 340 men, having lost around 800 during the siege.

History of the Regiment during WSS: in February 1701, the regiment was expanded to two battalions. Its first battalion was at first employed on the Rhine, but in July it was ordered to Italy. Even so, by mid-August it had still not yet joined the Army of Italy, showing how slow and complex the transfer of troops between theatres could be.

By the beginning of 1702, the battalion was already in northern Italy. On 31 January it formed part of the garrison of Cremona, at the very moment when Prince Eugène de Savoie attempted his famous surprise attack on the city. The attack failed, and the battalion remained in Cremona at least until March. Later that year it was attached to the army of Prince Charles de Vaudémont, governor of Milan, where it was placed in the second line of the infantry left wing. It then took part in the operations that led to the capture of Luzzara and Borgoforte.

The following year, however, the battalion was temporarily drawn away from the Italian theatre. On 15 February 1703, Louis XIV ordered Vendôme to send three battalions — two from Royal-Comtois and the first battalion of Rouergue — to reinforce Maréchal de Montrevel in the Cévennes, where the royal army was trying to suppress the Camisard uprising. On 29 April, the battalion fought between Le Vigan and Anduze, suffering the loss of one captain killed and three officers wounded. By the end of the year it had rejoined the army of the Duc de La Feuillade, operating in Savoy.

The first battalion then remained in Languedoc until 1706, when the regiment was recalled to Italy for the siege of Turin. This is the most striking part of its history. Although the regiment was involved in the siege operations rather than in the main field battle, it suffered catastrophic losses. On 8 September 1706, after the Battle of Turin, the regiment was described as virtually annihilated: only about 320 men managed to retreat towards Provence.

Despite this disaster, the regiment was not dissolved. In 1707 its remnants took part in the defence of Toulon. Once the Allies had withdrawn beyond the Var, the unit was transferred to the Army of the Rhine, where it served until 1712 on the Sarre and in the Lines of Wissembourg. In 1713 it was again engaged in major operations, taking part in the sieges of Landau and Freiburg.

Finally, on 10 April 1715, after the end of the War of the Spanish Succession, the regiment was reduced to a single battalion.

Returning to the question of losses, one must assume that this unit was heavily employed during the siege. This means that its position was most probably opposite the sector of the Citadel.

This position also helps to explain why, during the disengagement from the battle, the unit may have had serious difficulty finding a line of retreat.

It obviously could not move to the left, where the battle was raging and where the other units were already in flight. Instead, it had to move towards the Valentino, then towards Moncalieri or Chieri in order to escape.

It is quite possible that the units which had broken through at Lucento then pursued these troops, and that, once they had reached the area of Madonna del Pilone, they had to clash with the Imperial troops in order to find a way out.

It is therefore probable that this regiment remained behind to contain the Imperial and Savoyard incursions coming from the Castle of Lucento, losing many men in the process.

Officer

Drapeau Colonel

Drapeau d'Ordonnance

Drummer with Royal Livery. On the drum the colours of France and the Flag of the regiment

In the spring of 1706, two battalions were stationed at Chivasso, an important supply centre for the Bourbon army during the operations in Piedmont.

BATTLE OF TURIN 1706 - FRENCH REGIMENT CHATEAUNEUF

This regiment does not present any particular problems of interpretation or research. It was raised on 22 March 1702 by N. de Beaupoil de Saint-Aulaire. During the War of the Spanish Succession, the regiment was successively commanded by:

• from 22 March 1702: N. de Beaupoil de Saint-Aulaire;
• from 4 August 1706: Louis Desmarest de Maillebois, Baron de Châteauneuf;
• from 1 October 1709: Jacques de Vassal, Marquis de Montviel.
• The regiment was disbanded on 13 December 1713.

Service during the War: In 1702, the regiment joined the Army of Flanders. On 11 September 1709, it took part in the Battle of Malplaquet. In 1711, the regiment participated in the attack on Arleux. On 24 July 1712, it fought at the Battle of Denain. In August and September of the same year, it was present at the Siege of Douai. It then took part in the Siege of Le Quesnoy, and in October it was involved in the Siege of Bouchain. In 1713, the regiment participated in the sieges of Landau and Freiburg.

The regiment changed its colonel-proprietor precisely in 1706. One particular point should be noted: the available information concerning its service shows a chronological gap between 1702 and 1709. It seems clear that, during those seven years, the regiment was employed on the Italian front, which would explain this otherwise puzzling absence from the records.

But, through some researches I was able to understand that Louis Desmarest de Maillebois, Baron de Châteauneuf was the son of Nicolas Desmarets, Controller-General of Finances and Minister of State. 

Louis was lieutenant in the Régiment de Touraine in 1701 and made his first campaign at the combat of Nijmegen. He took part in the capture of Breisach and Landau, and in the Battle of Speyerbach. On 12 December 1703, he obtained a company in his regiment.

Here comes the interesting part: it is said that he participated in the Italian campaign of 1705–1706 and on 4 August 1706, he became colonel of a regiment bearing his name. 

This note is particularly interesting, as it confirms that in 1706 the regiment took the name Châteauneuf, and that its proprietor — and therefore his regiment — fought in Italy in 1705–1706, precisely in the year in which the regiment changed its name. This confirms the participation of this regiment in the Siege of Turin in 1706.

(He served then on the Rhine under Villars in 1707, then under Berwick in 1708. He fought at Malplaquet, served in Flanders in 1711–1712, and campaigned on the Rhine during the sieges of Landau and Freiburg. Promoted brigadier in 1719, he resigned his regiment and later left the service in 1727)

Drapeau d'Ordonnance

Drapeau Colonel

200.000 VISITS ON THIS BLOG! SOMETHING DOESN'T SUM UP! AGAIN!

On 26 May this year, I published a post highlighting the blog's visitor statistics. In particular, I pointed out that from 2016 to December 2025 the blog had received "only" 100,000 visits, whereas in the following five months it attracted another 50,000.

Well, this curious "paranormal effect" has happened again—and on an even greater scale.

From 14 May 2026 to 6 July 2026, that is, in just 52 days, the blog received another 50,000 visits, bringing the total to 200,000.

This is a result that truly encourages me and shows just how much these blogs are appreciated. I constantly strive to improve them, making them as interesting, accurate, and enjoyable as possible for everyone who reads them.

Thank you all for your continued support!

BATTLE OF TURIN 1706 - FRENCH REGIMENT CORDES

 This regiment required a fair amount of historical detective work. No surviving evidence has been found regarding the uniform of the Régiment de Cordes; only its history is documented. Consequently, the reconstruction had to begin with that historical record.

The regiment was raised by François de La Tour du Pin, Comte de Choisinet, on 7 May 1702. From 1705 until 1710 it was commanded by an officer named de Cordes. French regiments, however, generally followed the well-established practice of retaining their existing uniform even when the proprietary colonel changed. The same principle applied to the ordonnance colours, which likewise remained unchanged. This convention was widespread and, in most cases, faithfully observed.

Moreover, it is difficult to imagine that, in the midst of a major war, the appointment of a new colonel would have required an entirely new set of uniforms to be manufactured and transported through insecure military theatres. Such a process would have been not only impractical but, in many cases, virtually impossible.

Fortunately, I was able to locate a portrait of an otherwise unidentified Marquis de La Tour du Pin wearing his uniform. The most significant detail is that the cuffs are blue, whereas the red coat, being a court livery and indicative of rank, has no uniformological value. Incidentally, the colour of the cuffs was itself a characteristic that generally remained unchanged from one generation to the next within the family.

There can be no doubt that the portrait belongs to the La Tour du Pin family, as the family's coat of arms is clearly visible in the painting (see detail the collar of the dog).

Coat of Arms of House de la Tour du Pin

Regiment de Cordes 

Drapeau d'Ordonnance

Drapeau Colonel

Obviously, it was easy to recreate the drummer, who wore the same livery as the portrait shown above.