Most people know Vikings raided coastal villages…
But did you know they once sailed hundreds of miles inland and laid siege to Paris—twice?
The first siege came in 845 AD, when the legendary warrior Ragnar Lothbrok (yes, that Ragnar) led 120 longships up the Seine River with thousands of men. They stormed the city, demanded a ransom, and walked away with over 7,000 pounds of silver. Paris bought its survival—but it wouldn’t be the last time.
Fast forward to 885 AD, and the Norse were back—this time in even greater numbers.
Up to 30,000 Viking warriors launched a brutal siege that lasted nearly a full year.
But Paris, fortified and determined, held out behind its walls.
The Vikings couldn't break through—so they did what any good raiders would do: they accepted another payoff and marched off to plunder easier targets.
So yes—Paris survived. But only after paying a very steep price. And the Viking message was clear: nowhere was out of reach.
Check out our 19th century reprint of a German line art version of this time in history here:
But did you know they once sailed hundreds of miles inland and laid siege to Paris—twice?
The first siege came in 845 AD, when the legendary warrior Ragnar Lothbrok (yes, that Ragnar) led 120 longships up the Seine River with thousands of men. They stormed the city, demanded a ransom, and walked away with over 7,000 pounds of silver. Paris bought its survival—but it wouldn’t be the last time.
Fast forward to 885 AD, and the Norse were back—this time in even greater numbers.
Up to 30,000 Viking warriors launched a brutal siege that lasted nearly a full year.
But Paris, fortified and determined, held out behind its walls.
The Vikings couldn't break through—so they did what any good raiders would do: they accepted another payoff and marched off to plunder easier targets.
So yes—Paris survived. But only after paying a very steep price. And the Viking message was clear: nowhere was out of reach.
Check out our 19th century reprint of a German line art version of this time in history here:
To learn far more details about these two Viking sieges of Paris, click here.
