The Battle of Valmy, fought on September 20, 1792, marked the first major victory of the French revolutionary army.
French forces commanded by François Kellermann and Charles François Dumouriez stopped a Prussian advance near Valmy in northeastern France. The invading army had captured Longwy and Verdun and was threatening the revolutionary capital, so the French victory prevented the immediate march on Paris.
Valmy was more than a small battlefield success. France’s army was politically unsettled and included many volunteers, while Prussia possessed a highly respected military tradition. French artillery and the army’s ability to hold its ground under pressure produced a major psychological victory for the Revolution. The Prussians withdrew, weakened by poor weather, disease, and difficult supply conditions.
The battle helped secure the Revolution at a critical moment. The National Convention met as news arrived, abolished the monarchy two days later, and proclaimed the French Republic on September 22. Valmy is often portrayed as a victory of citizen-soldiers, although experienced professional troops and modern French artillery were also crucial. The battle is also called the Cannonade of Valmy.