French invasion of Franche-Comté, 1668

Timeline

1. 1667–1668France · FranceAfter the War of Devolution ended, Louis XIV still regarded Franche-Comté as a target for seizure. In early 1668, the Prince of Condé and Turenne led roughly 35,000 to 40,000 French troops assembling from Champagne and Lorraine, preparing a second invasion of Spanish Franche-Comté.
2. 1668Besançon · Franche-ComtéIn February 1668 French forces crossed the border and advanced at great speed. Spanish garrisons were undermanned and defenses scattered, and key towns such as Besançon fell within weeks. The entire province of Franche-Comté came under French control in about fifteen days, becoming a signature victory of Louis XIV's foreign expansion.
3. 1668Aachen · AachenThe French occupation prompted Spain, the Netherlands, England, and Sweden to form an anti-French alliance at The Hague. To avoid a general war, the Treaty of Aachen was signed on May 2, 1668: France returned Franche-Comté but retained Flemish towns such as Lille and Douai. Though this temporarily halted the fighting, it intensified Franco-Dutch tensions.