The Tsar in Paris, 1896

A hundred and fifteen years ago, on 5 October 1896 the first foreign trip of the new Russian imperial couple after the coronation celebrations led to France. Paris, which for a quarter of a century was compelled to miss the light of a monarchy, offered a sumptuous reception to the country’s number one ally. The relics of the festivities gradually come to light in collections, blogs and auction sites.