In our Colonies series :
After the crushing defeat of 1870, the French military sought a return to victory. Moreover, business circles were encouraging colonial expeditions to find new commercial outlets in a context of economic crisis in Europe. France – then governed by Republican parties – embarked on several overseas “adventures”, such as in Tonkin and Madagascar.
This engraving depicts the troop halting in the courtyard of the Gare de Lyon shortly before departure by train for the Mediterranean port of embarkation. One of the soldiers carries a large bouquet of flowers. From their windows and balconies, local residents watch the preparations.
During the Madagascar Expedition of 1895, almost half of these soldiers and officers perished, mainly due to a lack of quinine to treat malaria.