Passage de la Loire

Following their defeat at the Battle of Cholet by Kleber, the Vendée fighters retreated to Saint-Florent to cross the Loire. This crossing of the river by almost 100,000 fleeing soldiers and inhabitants was the starting point of the Virée de Galerne, which Napoleon admired in his memoirs for the discipline shown by the crowds, despite their fear. In fact, there was only one drowning. On the way, General Bonchamps died in the fishing village of La Meilleraie, opposite Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, in what is now Maison Bonchamps. La Rochejaquelein, one of the leaders of the Catholic and royal army, hoped to rally the Normandy coast and the Chouans of Maine and Brittany to obtain help. However, the failure at Granville put an end to this hope. The military campaign ended in Savenay with a victory for the Republican forces.