The Viking Siege of Paris (885–886): Charles the Fat’s Failure and the Rise of Odo

By 885, West Francia remains under severe Viking pressure, particularly in the Seine Valley, where Norse fleets continue to raid inland settlements. That year, a massive Viking fleet, led by Sigfred, sails up the Seine River and lays siege to Paris, marking one of the most significant and prolonged Viking attacks on the city.

The Viking Siege Begins (885)

• Sigfred’s fleet, composed of hundreds of ships and thousands of warriors, arrives at Paris, a strategically vital city on the Seine.
• This is the first major Viking attack on Paris in years, and the Norse leader demands tribute in exchange for sparing the city.
• However, unlike previous rulers, Charles the Fat refuses to pay a bribe, likely attempting to avoid further incentivizing Viking raids.

Odo of Paris and the Call for Reinforcements

• At the time of the Viking invasion, Charles the Fat is in Italy, leaving West Francia without centralized leadership.
• Odo, Count of Paris, and Bishop Gozlin organize the city’s defense, refusing to surrender to the Norsemen.
• Odo secretly sneaks a group of men through Viking lines to request military assistance from Charles.
• In response, Charles dispatches Henry of Saxony to relieve the siege.

The Siege Intensifies

• The Vikings launch multiple assaults against the fortified bridges of Paris, but the defenders hold strong, repelling attack after attack.
• The siege will last over a year, becoming one of the greatest tests of Frankish resilience against the Vikings.

Significance of the Siege of Paris

• Odo emerges as a heroic leader, rallying the defenders and proving his military competence, which will later lead to his election as King of West Francia (888).
• The Carolingian monarchy’s inability to protect its key cities further erodes Charles the Fat’s authority, contributing to his downfall in 887.
• The siege becomes legendary, symbolizing the determination of the Franks against Viking aggression and the gradual shift of power from the Carolingians to local lords.

The Siege of Paris (885–886) marks a turning point in Viking-Frankish relations, highlighting both the growing autonomy of regional rulers like Odo and the declining influence of the Carolingian emperors in the face of repeated Viking invasions.