N & E
Napoleon & Empire

Battle of Leipzig (Battle of the Nations)

Date and place

  • October 16th to 19th, 1813 near Leipzig, Saxony, Germany.

Involved forces

Casualties and losses

  • French army : 38 000 killed or injured and 20 000 prisoners. 
  • Prussian-Austrian-Russian-Swedish coalition : 54 000 killed or injured. 

Aerial panoramic of the Leipzig battlefield

Three views of the Leipzig battlefield, from the villages of Markleeberg, Liebertwolkwitz and Seifertshain.

The Battle of Leipzig, also known as the "Battle of the Nations [Völkerschlacht]", was the largest confrontation of the Napoleonic Wars, and the greatest defeat suffered by the Emperor.

Map of the battle of Leipzig (Battle of the Nations) - Positions on October 16

Napoleonic Battles - Map of the battle of Leipzig (Battle of the Nations) - Positions on October 16

Map of the battle of Leipzig (Battle of the Nations) - Positions on October 18

Napoleonic Battles - Map of the battle of Leipzig (Battle of the Nations) - Positions on October 18

Picture - "Siegesmeldung nach der Schlacht bei Leipzig". Painted 1839 by Johann Peter Krafft.

Napoleonic Battles - Picture of the battle of Leipzig (Battle of the Nations) -

Photos Credits

  Photos by Lionel A. Bouchon.
  Photos by Marie-Albe Grau.
  Photos by Floriane Grau.
  Photos by Michèle Grau-Ghelardi.
  Photos by Didier Grau.
  Photos made by people outside the Napoleon & Empire association.

Video credits

The shots are by Didier Grau, the editing by Lionel A. Bouchon