During the Nine Years' War, the French Royal Army carried out a bombardment of Brussels from August 13–15, 1695. Led by King Louis XIV and the Duke of Villeroi, French forces bombarded the city in an attempt to divert Grand Alliance troops from reinforcing the concurrent siege of Namur. The bombardment ultimately proved to be the most destructive event in the history of Brussels, destroying a third of the buildings in the city, including the Grand-Place/Grote Markt.
François de Neufville, Duke of Villeroy, led the attack
The Grand-Place/Grote Markt on fire on the night of August 13 to 14, 1695 (anonymous painting)
Top: The Town Hall burning Middle: The Breadhouse burning Bottom: Diagram of a mortar
View from the Marché aux Herbes/Grasmarkt down the Rue de la Colline/Heuvelstraat to the Town Hall
François de Neufville, 2nd Duke of Villeroy
François de Neufville, 2nd Duke of Villeroy was a French nobleman and military officer.
Portrait by Hyacinthe Rigaud, 17th century